Rebuilding an existing car, do I need a new IVA test?
 

Hi guys, I'm rebuilding a Locust kit car but completely re-engineering it in as much as the chassis is being converted to a spaceframe, I'm fitting a V6 Cosworth lump, Granada IRS with fabricated double wishbone suspension etc.

The car is currently registered and declared SORN, has a Q reg and I have a V5 for it. My question is will I have to put it through a new IVA test before I can put it back on the road? Bearing in mind how radically different it will be from original although the original chassis will still be in there.

D.

Re building an existing car is not a problem, radicaly modifying could be an issue and require another IVA test.
Personally i would enhance the existing car, if you understand what i mean;)
Enhancements and safety modifications do not require an IVA test, changing the engine to a different size and therefore tax bracket is a DVLA thing not IVA

Many people modify their production cars with bodykits,exhausts,turbos,spoilers etc and dont need to go to sva/iva so personally i wouldnt worry about it.just change the v5 to list the correct engine size and number.

What about the chassis number?

TT

To be honest I haven't actually located a chassis No on the damned thing yet, I'll have to check what's on the V5. The previous owner apparently wanted to use the id of this car for another one he's building and was rather annoyed that the breakers yard sold it on.

D.

What's actualy on the V5?

You may find you have a car that's not been registered correctly and will need IVA'd or a trip to court if the Plod pull you.

TT

Err don't know, I've got a V5 somewhere 'cos just after I got the car I applied to DVLA for one and it came through after a couple of weeks. Its probably at work in the filing cabinet, weather permitting I'm going down tomorrow to fly my toy helicopter (my son bought me an indoor twin rotor job for Christmas:D) so I'll have a look then.

D.

I can't remember what it's supposed to say for a self build. Something like "Special" if I remember rightly.

If it just says "Escort" or "Cortina" then the owner did not bother to tell the DVLA about the new chassis. It will have to go for an IVA .

If it was registerd then it avoided the IVA/SVA . But a chassis change would legaly require an IVA.

I think if I was in your position, I would re-work the current chassis.

TT

Yeah, well the original chassis is still (well most of it, I did cut the outriggers off )there so if I can sort out the chassis No I'll be a step closer. If it absolutely has to go through IVA then so be it, I'm not looking to avoid legalities but I would like to avoid excessive costs if possible. I had enough trouble re-registering my camper from a disabled minibus because of DVLA eejits!

D.

If you have a search on the DVLA website Davey for the INF26 pdf, http://www.dft.gov.uk/dvla/forms/~/m...ets/inf26.ashx , it takes you through all the guidelines for modifications rebuilding of vehicles and whether IVA is applicable or not. There is always some way round it but usually a new chassis number means an IVA.

AndyH