Well I spoke to Swansea (as you can't speak to the local DVLA) to ask about paperwork for DVLA inspection.

They told me I can't have an inspection until after the IVA test. So I told them I can't have the IVA until I get a VIN Number. DVLA Notts won't give me a VIN Number until I turn up for the inspection. The Swansea person said I need to book an apointment, but the Notts one said I didn't need to. To top it all off the DVLA website is a bit limited to say the least.

I was then told I need to fill in the V55/5 (by Swansea), but what about the build up report thingy?

So I've got to write to them again now as its the only way you can contact them. It just seems that for a registration process that should be a simple list of steps seems to be random depending on some whim of someone somwhere.

Honestly its really starting to get me down. I'm near to the point of saying sod it all because its just too much hassle.

Now thats my spleen vented a bit. I'll give it one last try & if that doesn't work the car is going up in the for sale section.

Yes it's all a bit of a hassle, why you need it inspected for identity is beyond me when this is done at the SVA / IVA test.

This is what I did:

I just made my own vin number up, went into the local DVLA office in person (I had the same issue not being able to call them) and got them to check that it was OK and not already in existence. (Some office will allocate you a chassis number and not allow you to make your own up).

I then use this for the SVA paperwork, got my test and then inspection after the test and then finally my plates.

[Edited on 1/9/09 by mackei23b]

Hang on in there, it's worth the hassle.. Just follow the sticky thread in the legal section, the DVLA don't know the rules them-selfs! I made my VIN up and that was fine (if you do this search on here to find how to make it up)...

If I were doing it again I would write to the DVLA (local office that you want to use) explaining that I need a VIN number to apply to VOSA for the IVA. I would propose my VIN number, and ask if I could use that, or could they issue an alternative.. Then you should get in writing what to do.. Send the letter recorded delivery..

Sending the letter should mean that if they don't reply you can ring the central DVLA number saying that you have not heard from the local office and you need to talk to someone there about it... (In my experience the DVLA seem to forget to do things!!)

I was in a hurry and so made my own up (needed to beat the SVA/IVA change over date), fortunately this worked out for me, others have had to change the VIN after SVA test. Thus I would recommend getting the VIN in writing from them if you can.

Borham woods local office would not do a Build up inspection till after I had the SVA.. But when they did they visited saving a few quid and the hassle of getting it there.

Cheers

Dan

[Edited on 1/9/09 by Bluemoon]

[Edited on 1/9/09 by Bluemoon]

U2U sent.
Cheers, Pewe

If you're going to send something to the local office do it recorded delivery otherwise it'll end up going missing.....

Thanks,
Notts said they won't do a visit and they must given a VIN Number themselves.

I've just sent them off a letter. The suport paperwork that comes with the MK kit has a section in the manual for the details such as chassis number so I've told them that the number is in there and what it is (with changes as the MK Paperwork uses the letter 'I'.

I'll send it recorded delivery and see what happens by the end of the week (other than me banging my head against a wall)

This old one crops up all the time and I know it's frustrating, I made my own up and it was accepted by chester although I did have MK as the 1st 2 letters, But my point is that it really is a load of nutsack them wanting to issue it, In our household we have 2 mitsubishi Pajero's and a toyota Celica ST202 Japanese Grey imports which were SVA'd and registered on the japanese documentation with no problem

tony

Thanks for your input guys. I've written to the DVLA with a note saying that my MK supplied documentation for the chassis has a number filled in "MK1NDY......." so hopefully they will stop messing me around.

I think what really got to me was that I felt I was treated like I was a bit thick as I didn't magically know the process.

I just made my own for sva then after sva when i took it for the inspection at sheffield the same day he said did we give you the number i said no and that was the end of it he accepted it

just make it personal to you

i wrote to my local office telling them what i was up to and also requesting a vin. 3 days later i got a letter in the post with a vin and all the registration forms etc etc.

I've managed to get somewhere now. Spoke to the inspector there who said do the following:

Use the MK Supplied VIN Number
Do the IVA
Send in the paperwork for checking
Book an inspection

Basically what you would expect. She did tell me that you can't have the inspection before the IVA, which contradicted the last time I spoke to them, but I'm happy enough to go with what they said.
Hopefully I won't get a 4th variant on the process by the end of the IVA