Beware - this year the DVLA are cross checking the Chassis Number (VIN) on the computerised MOT with the one that's recorded on the V5.
This is the first time that this has happened, even if you had a "computerised" MOT certificate last time, they have never cross-checked before.
So in my case, the MOT says "GT2 00278", and the V5 says "GT2/00278" and the VIN plate says "GT2-00278" and the DVLA says that these are NOT the same number.
You get notification AFTER the MOT, not at the time. I suspect the MOT operative is supposed to check the VIN, but this is an easy mistake to make with a hand-stamped plate that's nearly 50 years old. The Warwick ones are even more difficult, the letters are much smaller.
So I've sent all my paperwork back to the DVLA in the hope that common sense will prevail. I'll report any progress, but if you have an MOT soon, be warned!
Hi frank and all, as registrar I will back up any sensible worthwhile claim to re-register re-test any car. With my records and the TR Register I'm sure we can prove numbers/dates etc...Know what I'm saying
This crossing of T's and dotting of I's in this country has to stop, the rest of Europe are once again pissin themselves laughing at us.
Weather it's / ,- or 00 I will support you and stop this poxie nanny state
Lifted from FBHVC newsletter, for full text see: http://www.fbhvc.co.uk/newsletters/2005-newsletters.htm
"If the VIN on the vehicle presented for test differs from that on the official record, the test should continue on the basis of the number physically on the vehicle being tested and an automated system will alert DVLA to a mis-match between the records and the vehicle. The mis-match itself should not be a cause of failure, and action will be taken by DVLA to ensure the problem is rectified before the next test. This might involve a vehicle inspection if there is a radical difference, for instance if a car has been re-shelled but DVLA not notified. Owners can save themselves hassle by checking that the numbers showing on their V5C registration documents match those on their vehicles and – if necessary – getting the records put right before their next MoT test.
As an aside, FBHVC sees many copies of registration documents as a result of the process of applying for FIVA Identity cards. It is not exaggerating to say that one in four is incorrect in some way or another, usually as a result of the owner not telling DVLA of changes of engine or colour. "
I have spoken to the DVLA again this morning, and now that they've seen seen a picture of the plate, they have agreed to re-issue both the V5 and MOT, with the corrected digit string. What a relief!
I went to collect my tax disc from the Post Office yesterday only to find it was still registered as PLG rather than Historic Vehicle. It's a 1966 2A Landy. Obviously DVLA software can't distinguish such things or errs on the side of payment by default.
I've had to send all my paperwork to my local DVLA office and now await its return.
Well it did, but it's a very slippery slope, and I was holding my breath quite a lot..
If the photo hadn't convinced DVLA that this was just a typo then I'd have been sent for a Vehicle Identity Check. This is done by the same people that do the SVA, and there's a fee - of course! During this the "originality" of the vehicle is inspected, you can present "evidence", but you are not allowed to be present. I'd wager a substantial sum that the VOSA "experts" don't know where the identifying marks are on a Peerless/Warwick, or their relative significance.
If you fail this, there's no re-test. You can "appeal" the result (for another fee), but you can't do a re-test. All you have is an expensive pile of spares.
When we meet we can have a more exhaustive discussion about what constitutes "originality", but remember that P/W factories left no records, and many cars were built after the factory closed. It is also debatable whether retrospectively applying these sort of identity requirements to the cavalier practices of fifties manufacturers contributes one iota to "combatting vehicle crime", or is just another regulation to restrict the number of tax-free cars in circulation.
I now have a full set of numbers-matching documentation, and Cinders can go to the Beaujolais Challenge ball. I was also reminded that the DVLA are not as bad as we usually claim, and they did sort things out without too much stress.
But please look very carefully at your own documentation, forewarned is forearmed, and I'm sure that this won't be the only posting on this subject during the year.
Just a thought, when I go to my local MOT guys they are great...that’s why I use them.
I give them the old MOT sheet (or you could just give them the V5) to copy the info from/to that’s why its still red on the V5...not that that will help with the speed cameras as I’m sure there’s not that many P&W's on their dvla books, speedin!
They don’t like getting in the car because they don’t know what all the switches do so I do that bit.
For the record my guys are that relaxed that I did the brake test on the machine with their expert guidance, I get under the ramp to check over things with them...and they give "old cars" a discount!!
I would suggest that it may be the MOT station that is the first stumbling block on this thread....Go to a "sympathetic" one, in no way am I condoning "dodgy" service centre's and pigeon post tests but good honest like mined HUMANS!
Point taken Nigel, the MOT guys should have said something.
I think that the computer system gives a warning that something's not right, but it doesn't stop him doing the test. I understand that the computer system (and the associated network) has been a bit of an issue with these guys, not all garages are happy with it, and if they can't do a test they loose time and money. It's a couple of weeks afterwards that you get the letter.
They copied the chassis number from last year's computerised MOT, it's always been wrong. This is the first year the DVLA have decided to start cross-comparing records.
