16 replies to this topic

[Wise Old Elf]

I have just read the letter on the Practical Classics Mag Facebook page and it's a worry. Anyone know if it will affect us people that are restoring minis with new parts?

We could all be getting a Q plate soon?

[Jordie]

Ignore it. Until something is released officially it could just be internet bull....

[Guess-Works.com]

Probably something to do with replacing parts with 'new' parts which are not of the same design or type as originally used.. en replacing your trusty old A series for something out of a rotten Civic or Astra.

[surfblue63]

Perhaps they are starting to finally clamp down on Tax dodging Mpi Coopers.

[Coxie]

Just think how many minis there are that are 80s cars running around on tax free plates and v5s.
Think they are going to come unstuck.

[jamesmpi]

Perhaps they are starting to finally clamp down on Tax dodging Mpi Coopers.

Steady, I pay my extortionate tax for my mpi 

Edited by jamesmpi, 10 July 2015 - 09:19 AM.

[CityEPete]

Just think how many minis there are that are 80s cars running around on tax free plates and v5s.
Think they are going to come unstuck.

Lets hope so.

[matty...]

It's happening, I work at a place that restores vintage Bugattis aswell as builds replicas cars.

They've had a letter through, so the process is starting. It really doesn't look good for anything that has been modified from standard, (engine conversions etc) any reshelled cars (even heritage shells) could come unstuck also. Looks like the post 73' V5's may be the next thing to be selling in various places. It's not difficult to lose a lot of points on a mini....swap the engine and box, front and rear subframes, brakes etc..doesn't leave many points left. From what I gather it doesn't matter if it's a like for like swap, if it's a new part then it's points lost for originality.

Are they going to stop with just putting the car on a Q plate, or are they going to insist on SVA tests too, which could see many classics never see the road again.

I'm sure over the next few months everything will unfold, the place I work has a lot of high value cars some £10m + that have had extensive restoration work, needless to say the owners are getting a bit twitchy that there investment may be put on a Q plate!

[Archived2]

Its aimed at replacement chassis on rebuilt cars or cars that have lost too many of the original points from new. Not about like for like repairs or replacement panels/ parts. Its not a new set of requirements.

Heritage shells etc are legal as long as dvla are notified correctly. Again nothing new.

Sending out the letters is enacted when the cars are reaching historic statues or at point of update.

Nothing new to worry about really.

Edited by minihobbymini, 09 July 2015 - 10:14 PM.

[matty...]

Heritage shells are legal, but if you also say fit both new subframes, and fit an engine from another car, none of these parts can be counted as original, and its age can no longer be determined as original. We are going through this process at the moment with several customer cars, they are wanting very detailed descriptions of work carried out. All of the work we do is like for like replacement, but still if it's new it's not original, it seems like it is that cut throat at the moment.

It's like Trigger' broom..."it's only had 2 new heads and 3 new handles, but it's still the same broom"...

Edited by matty..., 09 July 2015 - 10:32 PM.

[Daviewonder]

Can't see it happening. If it's like for like how can they prove it's not original?

[mab01uk]

Can't see it happening. If it's like for like how can they prove it's not original?

 

Perhaps the DVLA have developed a technique for 'carbon dating' the steel used in Mini rear subframes!

[Coxie]

It took dvla 8 weeks to send me my v5.
Surely they don't have the time to go through every historic car with a fine tooth comb.
It's just to weed out the tax dodgers I'm sure, which to be fair had become a bit of an epidemic and will be fairly easy for them to spot at a glance and further investigate.
Classic car owners, people on this and other forums have been reporting the sales of v5's etc to the propper authorities for a while now.
They had to do something about it eventually and it looks like they are.

At the end of the day, classic car owners demanded tax exception which then created the tax free v5 market.
It is just being policed for the first time so not a bad thing really.

[Wise Old Elf]

From what I have read on various forums the Bugatti guy are very worried and see it as an issue even if the parts are like for like. If the car has a new chassis then they may get a Q plate.

This also affects me as I have a Lotus with an after market chassis. If this car has to go to a Q plate then the value will drop hugely.

From what I understand this is in preparation for 2017 when the EU rules come into play regarding MOT testing for cars over 25 years old.

I can't see how Joe Public can be asked to prove the car is original? Most people would not know an original part from a replacement and if it's to original spec then who cares.

[mab01uk]

According to the HM Revenue document linked below, 10,000+ vehicles a year acquire tax exemption under the recently re-introduced 'rolling' date scheme............I doubt the DVLA has the spare manpower or resources to investigate every existing 'historic' class car in detail and the 10,000 more being added every year.

 

40 Year Rolling Tax Exemption

"When it is introduced in 2014-15 this measure will have an advantageous impact for the owners of around 10,000 classic vehicles, who will benefit each year as they are currently paying VED but will not under the exemption. Every year thereafter, the number of classic vehicles affected will increase, as additional cohorts of vehicles are included in the exemption. It is estimated that an additional 10,000 classic vehicles will be affected in each year of the scorecard. Most of these vehicles are assumed to be cars or vans giving annual savings in 2014-15 of £145 or £230 depending on engine size.The measure is not expected to have any significant economic impacts."

https://www.gov.uk/g...c_vehicles_.pdf

 

 

Edited by mab01uk, 10 July 2015 - 08:01 AM.