Folks, quick "help"

Friends got a beetle. Its on an old 'L' plate so was made around 1973. Hoping to prove it was made in 1972 so he can get historic tax (ie not pay any).

Any idea if there is someone i can quote the chassis number at and get a statement saying "it was made ...."

Love to get this car on the road, its in fab condition and the 1500 engine sounds fantastic (in a cramped garage at 10pm)

I may be wrong but i believe the tax exemption rules apply to the vehicle registration date. But L does of course refer to 1st August 1972 31st July 1973, so you friend's car could have been registered in 1972. Does he have the V5? this states the date of first reg.

http://www.hallvw.clara.net/dating.htm

This government page says it's the construction date that matters:
http://www.direct.gov.uk/Motoring/OwningAVehicle/TaxationClasses/TaxationClassesArticle/fs/en?CONTENT_ID=4022042&chk=OoLbFS

But anyone who's ever asked the DVLA about kit car registration will know that it depends which way the wind is blowing as to how the rules are actually enforced

[Edited on 6/7/06 by matt_claydon]

Hi,

a car which was manufactured before the 1st January 1973 will be tax exempt, regardless of when it was registered.

a "birth certificate" can be obtained from the stiftung museum, cost approx £10-£15

Ray

[Edited on 6/7/06 by rayward]

just checked DVLA leaflet number INF34 and it turns out i was wrong. It states "Was your vehicle constructed before 1 January 1973?"

So, provided it was registerd then; find the V5, or get a copy from the DVLA, if originally uk registered of course.

Although i would expect a VW dealer would be able to confirm the age of the vehicle from something on the VIN plate.

Bah, everyone beat me to it.
Easiest way is if the V5 says registered before 7th Jan 73, otherwise you're going to need to do some digging.

INF34 is here btw
http://www.dvla.gov.uk/forms/pdf/INF34.pdf

Have a look at this page: http://www.partsemporium.co.uk/chassis%20numbers.htm

It tells you what years the chassis numbers were built.

Easy way to tell is to count the digits , 9 digits means it was made in the sixties and 10 means it was made in the seventies. The third digit in the chassis number is the year IE 1127895678 is 10 digits the third is 2 so therefore car was made in 72 HTH

cheers guys, just got to persuade him to do it now ....... the car is 'resting' at the moment.