Hi all,
This question may have been asked already.
I had a rotten chassis which is classed as a convertible and have now bought a different one which is a saloon.
The question is, can I cut out the vin plates and swap them over to save aggro or is this an absolute no no
Also a far bigger issue is my user name which I've had for ever is based on my buggy. I wouldn't be able to call myself redbug72 anymore  (obviously I could but you know what I mean)
Andy

Ringing by swapping chassis numbers is illegal you can stamp the old number on a new manufacturers replacement chassis as it is a genuine swap.

I think some kit car rebuilds have used such rotten, so cut away chassis's that effectively all that has stayed the same is the VIN plate. But Snoopy's right that 'ringing' - putting one VIN number on another chassis is a no no with DVLA etc. Can you really not perform major welding surgery on the rotten chassis even to the point of only re using the central spine ? Then build a second buggy on the newer chassis you have and sell to fund the above works.

Is 'redbug72' based on the registration number of the older 'convertible' VIN. Ie it has 72 in it ? If so your next buggy could be red and have the numbers 72 stickered to the sides as if you regularly entered Race the Waves at Bridlington or you can be trendy like Elon Musk and adopt a new handle 'X formerly known as redbug72'...

What if the chassis was rusty and rotten where the vin number is making it illegible so had to be replaced?
Ha ha I do like the idea of formerly known as. The name redbug72 is as simple as the buggy being red and 1972, of course it's not the end of the world just me being precious.

You do not need a chassis number for mot as the VIN is for certified build vehicles the mot manual says.

Putting one VIN number on another chassis is almost guaranteed to come with a custodial sentance

Very serious indeed and must not be done

What if the chassis was rusty and rotten where the vin number is making it illegible so had to be replaced?

OK, possibly entering into a grey area here, but I had the same issue on mine where the VIN is quite difficult to make out due to the amount of paint and rust that has been applied over the years. It can be seen, but it is certainly not easy to read.

I bought a blank chassis plate and stamped it with the number and then attached it elsewhere in the vehicle with pop rivets - following the rules regarding chassis plates that says they are not allowed to be removed with hand tools. My mot guy initially checked that this also matched the correct number as stamped in the chassis and each year thanks me for making it easier for him to check at mot time.

Hi all,
This question may have been asked already.
I had a rotten chassis which is classed as a convertible and have now bought a different one which is a saloon.
The question is, can I cut out the vin plates and swap them over to save aggro or is this an absolute no no
Also a far bigger issue is my user name which I've had for ever is based on my buggy. I wouldn't be able to call myself redbug72 anymore  (obviously I could but you know what I mean)

Would it be legal to swap the registration plates off your wife's car and put them on yours and drive it if your MOT has expired?

What if the chassis was rusty and rotten where the vin number is making it illegible so had to be replaced?

OK, possibly entering into a grey area here, but I had the same issue on mine where the VIN is quite difficult to make out due to the amount of paint and rust that has been applied over the years. It can be seen, but it is certainly not easy to read.

I bought a blank chassis plate and stamped it with the number and then attached it elsewhere in the vehicle with pop rivets - following the rules regarding chassis plates that says they are not allowed to be removed with hand tools. My mot guy initially checked that this also matched the correct number as stamped in the chassis and each year thanks me for making it easier for him to check at mot time.

Funnily enough that's what has happened to my new chassis.......

Decades ago one of the go-to chassis shorteners in the UK, now sadly departed used to make swapping chassis numbers and art form, cutting a number out of an old rusty chassis and carefully gas welding it into the new recipient frame and polishing it smooth with the skill of a surgeon. No 'real' cars were ringed, no harm no foul really, a true victimless crime.

Then there was a well know at the time buggy builder who would pay £50 for any V5C that was on Historic tax and didn't have 'Beetle' on it. Out came the grinder and number punches and voilà as the French say, a chassis number that any MOT tester if they even bothered to look would be happy with. Again no harm no foul...

Then along came the internet and people wearing their hearts on their sleeves asking questions on public forums and Facebook groups that should really only be whispered in hushed tones in the corners of noisy pubs...