Also worth pointing out that not every new Buggy build will require an IVA test. Some of our members have approached this in different ways and hopefully their stories and pointers may be inspirational to you
from Jim73vw
No problem, I did share my good news and highlight an article I did on this in Complete Kit Car when I received my new log book:
http://www.beachbuggy.info/index.php/topic,6522.msg67940.html#msg67940though I appreciate not everyone will want to buy a back issue. However - it is a good read, as is the whole magazine, and my article there has nice pictures of the form, supporting evidence sent and how the revised log book looked when returned.
I have extracted the bulk of the article text below - appreciate some comments may be less relevant to buggy readers here, but rather then re-edit I hope this is of benefit. Obviously if the club wants to use the article from the magazine as evidence to DVLA of how the system can be used correctly, and has been applied to LWB variants by their 'Kit and Rebuilds' team I would recommend the full article is sourced and provided. Back issues can be ordered via the Complete Kit Car website, and there is currently stock of this issue - April 2015 Issue 99.
http://www.performancepublishing.co.uk/back-issues/page/3/ Plug over
Article body below:
Having completed my beach buggy build the next step was to ensure the vehicle was correctly registered with DVLA. I had chosen the long wheel base Apal shell as I knew this would avoid the need for expensive IVA testing, but still wanted to ensure the vehicle was correctly identified on the log book (V5).
The rise in popularity of kit cars which are re panel/body solutions using a single donor is clear looking over recent issues of this magazine. In all of these cases, even if the primary donor remains mechanically unmodified there will be a need to update the V5. With the increase in use of ANPR (automatic number plate recognition) VOSA, DVLA and the Police can check a vehicle’s identity when on the road. If the vehicle does not match the description on the log book this is sure to raise questions, which are best answered by updating your log book, rather than at the roadside. Such updates may also assist with insurance for your kit and also with future resale values.
With many local DVLA offices having closed in recent times I was not fortunate enough to be able to visit an office to discuss the process so instead turned to the internet where a wealth of material exists.
https://www.gov.uk/change-vehicle-details-registration-certificatehttps://www.gov.uk/vehicle-registrationMany club forums also have valuable information on the process, and may offer guidance for your specific kit. If considering a new kit it is also worth discussing this aspect of the build with the manufacturer to understand if they have liaised with DVLA to make relevant changes to log books for their own demonstrators or other customer’s cars.
Reviewing the guides on GOV.uk I could see that my buggy build fell into any one of the following categories, depending on how the guidance is interpreted:
• Kit converted vehicle
• Radically altered vehicle
• Rebuilt vehicle
In each case the instructions are the same – to complete form V627/1 ‘Built Up Vehicle Report’ though the information given with regards to retaining your donor registration number does vary:
Kit Converted Vehicle
According to the supplied definitions a kit-converted vehicle has had:
• a kit of new parts added to an existing vehicle, or
• old parts added to a new kit
The general appearance of the vehicle will change because of the kit.
I felt this best applied to my buggy conversion, though my bodyshell was purchased second hand and is a 1970’s kit no longer available. For many of the new kits on the market, such as Ferrari replicas and alike this seems to be the best match. The advice states you may keep a vehicle’s original registration number if you can prove you’ve used 2 original unmodified major parts:
• chassis (car or light van)
• monocoque bodyshell (car or light van)
• frame (motorbike)
Radically altered vehicle
Radically altered vehicles are described as vehicles that have been altered from their original specification, but aren’t kit conversions. Given the age of my bodyshell I was using, and that all other parts were sourced by myself and not from a kit I felt this category may be applied by DVLA. This would also apply to some of the unique one off builds/modifications CKC have featured over the years.
DVLA uses a points system to decide what registration number to give a radically altered vehicle and the requirements are more involved than the Kit-Converted Category. To keep the original registration number your vehicle must score 8 or more points as summarized in the accompanying table. 5 of these points must come from having the original or new and unmodified chassis, monocoque bodyshell or frame.
Part Points
Chassis, monocoque bodyshell (body and chassis as one unit) or frame - original or new and unmodified (direct from manufacturer) 5
Suspension (front and back) - original 2
Axles (both) - original 2
Transmission - original 2
Steering assembly - original 2
Engine - original 1
DVLA advise you won’t be able to keep your vehicle’s original registration number if one of the following applies:
• your vehicle scores fewer than 8 points
• it has a second-hand or altered chassis, monocoque bodyshell or frame
• there’s evidence that 2 vehicles have been welded together to form one (ie ‘cut and shut’)
If the criteria are not met a Q plate is likely to be applied. Your vehicle must pass the relevant type approval test to get a ‘Q’ prefix registration number.
Considering my buggy build if these criteria were applied I was able to score 13-14 points 11-13 points depending on interpretation. My vehicle has a replacement front axle as the original was corroded. This was a bolt on replacement part, so not a structural alteration. Similarly the donor engine had been replaced, but again with a correct unit from another 1970’s beetle, and of the same size. These were points I wanted to ensure were conveyed when completing the form to avoid any misinterpretation of the changes.
Rebuilt vehicle
Less definition is given on the GOV.uk website regarding what constitutes a rebuilt vehicle, but I felt this category could apply to a rescued kit that we all too often see appear on ebay. As my donor vehicle was bought in a stripped down state I felt it was important to consider this category also. A similar points system is applied for these enabling you to keep a vehicle’s original registration number if you can prove you’ve used:
• the original unmodified chassis or bodyshell (car or light van)
• a new chassis or monocoque bodyshell of the same specification as the original (car or light van)
• the original unmodified frame (motorbike)
• a new frame of the same specification as the original (motorbike)
You must also have 2 other major components from the original vehicle from the following lists.
For cars or light vans:
• suspension (front and back)
• steering assembly
• axles (both)
• transmission
• engine
For motorbikes:
• forks
• wheels
• engine
• gear box
With these different categories in mind I set to completing form V627/1.
Much of the first page of the form relates to motorcycles or trike conversions, with only 6 rows of the table to complete for the following components if notifying or a car alteration:
Chassis/Bodyshell
Axles (both)
Transmission
Steering assembly
Engine
Suspension (front and back)
For each component you are required to supply a serial number/ID number if available (most likely to apply to any new parts), confirm origin (registration number of donor vehicle), the make of the component and verify if receipts are available. For a simple rebody conversion all rows would most likely confirm a single donor.
In my situation I had to advise of a replacement front axle and replacement engine. It is important to note I transplanted another period correct same capacity engine. As my vehicle was already registered as a historic vehicle (tax exempt) engine changes have less significance. If you are paying road tax on your vehicle a change in engine capacity may lead to the taxation class being revised. For the new parts fitted I also enclosed receipts.
On the rear of the form the following sections need completing:
Original Parts not used – stating how they were disposed of
I had kept a log of all parts bought and sold through my build, and had sold the majority of unwanted donor panels. I supplied a spreadsheet detailing this, as well as receipts for online sales through ebay etc. I advised that the corroded axle was disposed of at my local council recycling centre. If you are selling any parts of your donor I would recommend a similar log and receipts. Also request receipts for any scrap metal sold as this is a particular area of focus currently.
Any other information/Additional documents produced
Here I summarized the build, highlighting the kit shell used was a long wheel base body, and simply a rebody removing the original bodyshell. I stressed here that the core mechanical components remain as per a standard VW beetle and reconfirmed all of the original parts retained. This section also asks you to verify the year/s of the build and who completed the build. If you have outsourced to a professional builder receipts will be required.
Additional notes or comments
This section is provided for any other background information that is relevant. I used this to explain the origins of the replacement parts, stressing they were like for like OEM style replacements. I also referred to my build diary which formed the CKC Running Reports. As I didn’t have a manufacturers receipt for my bodyshell I confirmed the age and name of the buggy shell.
For a simple rebody this form accompanied with relevant receipts should be more than sufficient to convey all required information. In my case I chose to send a covering letter with the form which summarized the additional information provided. In my case I provided the following:
1. Running Report Articles from Complete Kit Car (18 in total)
(useful to show in picture form that the base chassis is not altered)
2. Receipt for purchase of donor beetle
3. Receipt for purchase of Apal buggy shell
4. Spreadsheet detailing the items sold from the original beetle
5. Receipt for sale of original bodyshell
6. Extract from the Dune Buggy Handbook confirming Apal shell details
(used as no manufacturer information available for kit – if fitting a new kit supplier specifications/instructions would suffice)
7. Article from Belgium Apal website confirming Apal shell details
8. (used as no manufacturer information available for kit – if fitting a new kit supplier specifications/instructions would suffice)
9. Receipt for replacement beetle front axle (original version corroded)
10. Summary of engine codes for VW beetles to validate previous replacement engine code
I then sent off this information and waited for news from DVLA. It is important to note that correspondence of this type should be sent to K&R (Kit and Rebuilds),DVLA
SA99 1ZZ
In my case after a fortnight I received a new log book back with my vehicle details updated. This included a statement on the front page, Section 3 stating ‘Rebuilt – assembled from parts some of which or all were not new’. This is a permanent note on the log book which cannot be removed, and rightly informs future purchasers of the car’s origins.
The vehicle make (previously Volkswagen Beetle) was also changed to read ‘Volkswagen Buggy’. I was not required to present the vehicle for inspection though the DVLA do advise that changes to any of the following may warrant an inspection:
• wheel plan
• body type (DVLA give a body type description based on the vehicle’s external appearance)
• vehicle identification number (VIN)
• chassis number
• frame number for motorbikes
•
Whilst I didn’t receive any written feedback on the information provided my opinion is that by providing as much information as possible relevant to your build you will increase your chances of a routine V5 update and avoid the need for formal inspection. That said I have spoken to other Long Wheel Base Buggy builders who have presented their buggy for a brief inspection following submission of V627/1 resulting in the issuing of a revised V5. I hope this guide is useful to anyone contemplating a similar style build, and reassures that these changes can be made painlessly if organised with your build diary.
Hope this helps,
All the best,
Jim
Club Nova Member
SDBC Member
GRRC Member
T5 camper
72 Apal LWB buggy
Subaru based Nova kit car
Topic: IVA / SVA Overview (Read 5621 times)
