Converting a car from pez to diesel....PAPERWORK!

[Lankytim]

Ive bought a 1986 Maestro thats been converted from 1600 petrol power to 2L DIZZLE power using ascrap donor Maestro to felch bits from. It all works great but the logbook still says its petrol powered. How do I go about legally changing all the paperwork to show its a diesel?

 

Vosa sez..

Change to engine and cylinder capacity (engine size)

 

DVLA will need written evidence of any changes to engine number and cylinder capacity (cc). Written evidence can be:

a receipt for the replacement engine

written evidence from the manufacturer

an inspection report provided for insurance purposes

written confirmation on headed paper from a garage if the change in engine size took place before you bought the vehicle

 

Change to fuel type

 

DVLA will need written confirmation of changes to fuel type for vehicles registered after 1 March 2001 if:

your existing engine is converted, the confirmation must be on headed paper from the garage that carried out the work

a new engine is fitted, the receipt will be required as confirmation

Sooo, from this I gather that I should only need to send them the V5 with the new engine number and let them know its now powered by diesel? Its an old car, pre 2001 so I think I can escape all the receipt and headed paper bollocks. Maybe.

 

I dont have a receipt for the replacement engine BTW, just the engine number and the reg of the donor.

 

It mentions an inspection for insurance purposes. Its pretty much a bolt in conversion using typical diesel Maestro bits so no fabrication or alteration of the shell has been needed. Does it need an inspection?

 

Any advice welcomed....

 

PLS dont tell me VOSA will instantly wipe it from the database and insist I scrap it!

[scaryoldcortina]

You will need an inspection letter confirming the new engine number, capacity and fuel type before they will accept the same deails written on the v5. PM me the details, and I'll rattle one out

All the post 2001 bollocks is because of the tax class changes. You can ignore that.

[Lankytim]

Cheers SOC, You're a star! Ill PM you the details when I find the engine number... Where is it on these Perkins??

 

I was expecting to wade through an endless mire of VOSA shit but it all seems like its going to be ok.. YAY!

[Station]

Sometimes you have to ask whether it's worth all the hassle.

[Formula Autos]

Sometimes you have to ask whether it's worth all the hassle.

It saved a Maestro. Of course it was worth the hassle.

 

Just look at it - you'd move heaven and earth for one of these.

[Station]

meaning with the dvla - getting it inspected etc etc etc etc

[Formula Autos]

meaning with the dvla - getting it inspected etc etc etc etc

Fair enough - sod the DVLA. I thought you meant the engine swap.

[CreepingJesus]

Vosa sez..

Change to engine and cylinder capacity (engine size)

 

DVLA will need written evidence of any changes to engine number and cylinder capacity (cc). Written evidence can be:

a receipt for the replacement engine

written evidence from the manufacturer

an inspection report provided for insurance purposes

written confirmation on headed paper from a garage if the change in engine size took place before you bought the vehicle

 

 

Just for talking's sake (and also because I've thought about it more than once), say I had an LDV, and lobbed the Pug boat anchor in favour of a Nissan TD. That's obviously a 'non-native' conversion - albeit that some parts are available - so how would VOSA view that? Anyone know?

[scaryoldcortina]

They would view it the same as any other conversion. As long as you tell DVLA (and provide proof via receipt/letter) you can change engines to your heart's content.

[Station]

It's as if the DVLA (a government quango) is claiming it's the law to have the engine changed by an approved garage - is this really the case?

[CreepingJesus]

Thanks for that, the dream gets a step closer!

[Jonnyvalenta]

When I converted my 205 GTI 1.9 to diesel all I did was fill in the relevant boxes on the V5 showing engine size (1769) engine number and type of fuel (heavy oil)

Sent it off,came back altered,no questions asked,no reciepts/letters asked for.

[Station]

Want to do mine proper, but put off by the scariness of having to go through the rigmarole! Might just try sending off the V5.

[CreepingJesus]

It's as if the DVLA (a government quango) is claiming it's the law to have the engine changed by an approved garage - is this really the case?

I think they like to make it seem that way, same with the 'Type Approval' nonsense for one-offs and serious chop jobs; but as long as you can wade thro' the red tape, and have a paper trail to back up what you've done, it should be fine.

I knew a few folk in my youth, who built kit cars or chops, and it was easier then; but even so, the same rules applied. It's just there's more of them now!

I think...

[Jonnyvalenta]

Indeed,mine's been on the road converted 3 years now,no problems taxing and MOTing it in that time.

 

It's probably more of a fiddle if you were actually putting a smaller engine in,one that falls into the 1549cc and under category,being therefore eligible for cheaper road tax.....

[Lankytim]

Im a bit puzzled by the "proof" bit. If all they want is a headed piece of paper surely anyone can get a mate in the trade to sign off anything.

 

Why do they need "proof" that an old maestro is now diesel anyway, who'd want to lie about that?

 

Surely the only real concrete evidence available would be a trip to a VOSA inspection facility. Not that im complaining about the current arrangement, that is!

[Tayne]

,

[Tayne]

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[CreepingJesus]

It's probably more of a fiddle if you were actually putting a smaller engine in,one that falls into the 1549cc and under category,being therefore eligible for cheaper road tax.....

Good point. As far as I understand, what's really behind it is people. Someone at the DVLA has to process it, and if anything looked a bit dodgy, they'd probly be expected to refer it to a superior. Which is when you get a letter asking you to go to a VOSA test centre.

I knew a guy who took one defunct V12 XJS, and a Dax kit, and ended up with a Cobra rep. He never had any trouble, because Dax intended it that way, and the paperwork said so. It even kept the Jag's reg, as it was effectively a 'rebody'.

Strangely, another mate got the letter after stuffing a GSXR11 motor into a GS1000 frame. Narrowly avoided getting a Q-plate for it, too.

So it's a funny old thing - you take your chances with the DVLA/VOSA mob sometimes. What you get seems to depend on how they feel that day.