What I've gathered by trawling through Ford Escort forums is that the issue with bubble arches is not due to change of visual appearance but the fact that the modification involves cutting and altering the cars' monocoque body, hence it loosing 5 points and it needing IVA testing to be legal.

Again there is still a common myth that kit or modified cars can just be 'put on a Q plate'. This was pretty common in the 80s and 90s but not possible since SVA
(and subsequently IVA) was introduced in 98, a Q plate now needs to be earned by passing IVA and not just issued.

As far as Bajas are concerned they could be classed as a 'kit converted vehicle' by a very finicky pen pusher as the Baja kit could be described as 'changing the general appearance of the vehicle' so as previously stated any Baja conversion unless really old should be MOTd just to be 100% on the safe side. 

It's mad that anyone could consider that this car has been "Radically Altered in its Visual Appearance" when any toddler could tell you it's a Beetle...



While I'm guessing that the identity of this Ford Focus would never be doubted?

Grey areas eh?

Luckily the focus is SORN so it will not damage the general publics eyes driving about.