A few weeks ago i posted about registering my donor car without the V5. I have since sorted that problem out and the donor is now registered in my name. The next questions are...............

1) When should i declare the donor as being scrapped, or should i?

2) Where does the chassis number come from, is it from the donor?

3) When is the best time to start the registration process, bearing in mind the car should be ready for the SVA by spring?

4) What is the ideal order of events to get the car on the road with least hassle?

Any help appreciated, sorry for all the questions.

1. Don't know!

2. Either the local DVLA office will supply one, or they'll accept your proposed number (as in my case). Local rules apply, so they may not accept your suggested number. The number must be a mixture on numbers and letters, 17 characters long.

3. When the car looks just about complete (even if there's still 3 months work left!). If you're aiming for the spring, I suggest a first approach in January. The worst that could happen is that they tell you to come back in a couple of months.

4. For me, it was
a) talk to the local DVLA man - he sent some forms, which I returned, then he visited to check chassis numbers, receipts, etc.
Once he was happy;
b) apply for the SVA - expect a month or so's delay;
While you're waiting;
c) I went for a MOT - didn't have to, but gave me an opportunity to run legally on the road and also an experienced pair of eyes to make sure that it was basically sound.

Don't forget to shop around early for insurance ready for the MOT and SVA trips.

rgds,

David

[Edited on 11/11/04 by David Jenkins]

The sequence of events seems to be different for each LVLO - I used Aberdeen - which I assume is your closest?

1) When should i declare the donor as being scrapped, or should i? << I did not register the donor as scrapped - but make sure you SORN it & keep it up to date otherwise you get an £80 fine.>>

2) Where does the chassis number come from, is it from the donor? >> Not the Donor, you can make up your chassis number or the LVLO will give you one, I got one from the LVLO.<<

3) When is the best time to start the registration process, bearing in mind the car should be ready for the SVA by spring? >> I would start the process early in the new year if you want to complete by Spring. I started in April & finished in late June (although I needed the time for last minute 'items' and moved house half way through)<<

4) What is the ideal order of events to get the car on the road with least hassle? >> You need an SVA before you register, You need a chassis number before you can SVA, Before the LVLO would give me a number they wanted a police inspection. A bit of a formality really but you can do it as soon as the car is 'substantially built' - they come to you. Just speak to the LVLO (directly, not through the helpline) and they will send you the built up vehicle report & the registration document which they keep on file until the whole process including SVA ends. I found the Aberdeen office very helpful.

That was my experience but I know others have followed a very different sequence with an inspection by the LVLO after SVA etc. etc.<<

1, Local DVLA will probably take your V5 from you when the car is registered. All you need do then, is send a letter to DVLA informing them that the donor vehicle has been scrapped.

Thanks very much everyone for the information.

I am not sure if Aberdeen is closest or not, maybe there is one in Inverness, i'll need to check.

I cant see the Aberdeen DVLA inspector being to thrilled about a 450 mile trip to check a chassis number

Although i have a 300 mile trip to my nearest SVA centre I'll definetly be having a pre-SVA MOT done to pick up the obvious problems.

Thanks again.