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Age Related Registration
GrahamC - 1/7/20 at 08:24 AM

I was originally planning to go for a Q registration with my build, but I'm now thinking I might like to try for an age related plate. Try as I might I still seem to be confused by what the correct route is!


I've had a look here at the DVLA info: DVLA Link
"A kit-converted vehicle has had:
- a kit of new parts added to an existing vehicle, or
- old parts added to a new kit
The general appearance of the vehicle will change because of the kit."

So by my reckoning my GBS Zero falls under "old parts added to a new kit", but I am slightly confused though by the Radically Altered Vehicles category:DVLA Link

Am I actually looking at the right category, ie "Kit-converted vehicles"????


Assuming I am then to get an age related plate it states:
"You can apply for an age-related number if you can prove you’ve used 2 original major parts along with:
- a new monocoque bodyshell, chassis or frame from a specialist kit manufacturer
- an altered chassis, monocoque bodyshell or frame from the original vehicle"

I see that my GBS Zero chassis falls under "a new monocoque bodyshell, chassis or frame from a specialist kit manufacturer" but I can't seem to locate the info on what qualifies as 2 original major components?

All guidance gratefully received!


jollygreengiant - 1/7/20 at 09:13 AM

Generally accepted is Engine and Gearbox/drive train. There was/is a list on the somewhere on the .gov site, they MUST be from the original vehicle and you must provide some form of identity for that old vehicle. IIRC


JGG

[Edited on 1/7/20 by jollygreengiant]


jollygreengiant - 1/7/20 at 09:27 AM

AND in that link you supplied it DOES tell you EXACTLY what you need from the age related vehicle that you need.

You must also have 2 other major components from the original vehicle from the following lists.

For cars or light vans:

suspension (front and back)
steering assembly
axles (both)
transmission
engine


JeffHs - 1/7/20 at 09:42 AM

In my case, for SVA, I failed to get age-related because I no longer had the V5. Although virtually all my bits were from a single donor with documented evidence, because I sold the shell with V5, Nottingham would not agree and insisted on a Q plate.


chillis - 1/7/20 at 01:19 PM

Age related registration mark for a kit conversion usually requires two major unmodified components and the kit of parts.
The donor engine, the actual engine not just one of the same type. They prefer you to use the donor engine as it is the only component that is traceable to the donor vehicle via the engine number.
Other major components:
Transmission (gearbox and final drive/driveshafts or axle) counts as 1
Suspension including uprights and wishbones/links but not springs or dampers also counts as 1
Steering including column/shaft, steering box or rack and front uprights, counts as 1
Axles front and rear, counts as 1
You will also need to keep the V5 and remove and VIN numbers from the donor shell before scrapping the shell, if the metal recycler informs the DVLA the vehicle has been disposed of before you have registered the kit then an age related plate will be refused. Likewise as JeffHs says if you sell the body-shell and V5 then the donor identity still exists and the age related number will be refused.
IMHO all of this seems far too much hassle given and age related plate on a kit car offers no additional value.
OTOH a Q plate does not require a donor you can use parts from any source vehicle or vehicles, they don't even have to be the same make or type, in most cases you will only need visible smoke for the MOT emissions test, easier to make post registration modifications, will likely have an easier time with future tightening of the emissions rules and what older cars can be used and when.
If I was building now I would go Q, but then that is my opinion


GrahamC - 1/7/20 at 03:02 PM

That's pretty interesting, didn't fully appreciate the emissions side of things.

I was aware that you can't put a private plate on a Q reg but can do so on an age related version.

What happens if you end up with an age related plate, can you still qualify for free road tax once the age of the registration prefix goes over 40 years or does that not apply to kit cars given that they will have a registration date (not sure on this though!) for the point at which they go through IVA?

It all seems rather confusing.


02GF74 - 1/7/20 at 04:12 PM

quote:
Originally posted by GrahamC

What happens if you end up with an age related plate, can you still qualify for free road tax once the age of the registration prefix goes over 40 years or does that not apply to kit cars given that they will have a registration date (not sure on this though!) for the point at which they go through IVA?



I doubt very much that is the case. The date of first registration determines the age as to whether the vehicle qualifies. It just so happens that the registration issued indicates the year. Your car will be registered in 2020 albeit with an older registration.

Otherwise what would there be to stop someone buying a brand new gas guzzling range rover then buying an old registration to avoid penalty £1400 road tax.

The DVLA may be incompetent and inefficient but they aint stupid not to spot that loophole.


adithorp - 2/7/20 at 07:24 PM

I saw a kit very recently that was on an age related plate (but correctly registered this century) of a plate age for historic tax/mot exemptions. When the owner taxed it, he received a refund soon after along with a letter stating it was exempt...


02GF74 - 2/7/20 at 07:58 PM

quote:
Originally posted by adithorp
I saw a kit very recently that was on an age related plate (but correctly registered this century) of a plate age for historic tax/mot exemptions. When the owner taxed it, he received a refund soon after along with a letter stating it was exempt...


The UK GOV sites states:
quote:
Historic vehicle tax exemption
You can apply to stop paying for vehicle tax if your vehicle was built before 1 January 1980. You must tax your vehicle even if you do not have to pay.

If you do not know when your vehicle was built, but it was first registered before 8 January 1980, you can still apply to stop paying vehicle tax.



I'm not going to argue but if that is the case, it is not registered correctly, assuming the build was completed around the time of registration.
I said earlier: The DVLA may be incompetent and inefficient - a mistake has been made.


GrahamC - 3/7/20 at 08:12 AM

I have to say, it does seem that a Q plate does seem a lot less contentious!

I was going to have a Q plate originally, it was just that I got to thinking about having an age related plate and perhaps putting a private plate on it.

Further thinking needed. :-)


02GF74 - 3/7/20 at 09:04 AM

quote:
Originally posted by GrahamC
I have to say, it does seem that a Q plate does seem a lot less contentious!

I was going to have a Q plate originally, it was just that I got to thinking about having an age related plate and perhaps putting a private plate on it.




What does that mean? My recommendations is to always go for age related registration if you are able to do so. Unless I am corrected, Q registration cannot be changed and some insurance companies shy away from Q reg vehicles, the only advantage of Q plate was possibly less strict emission test but that may have changed.