Forgot to ask Lacie, did you get another reg after it passed or a Q plate
As I have also read if it is a radically altered vehicle it will need an IVA and will be issued a Q
Or was it classed as a kit conversion and issued an age related reg
Mick
RAV and Kit Conversions/Kit Cars can be issued with age related plates or Q plates depending on the vehicle. Q plates are issued if the DVLA can’t properly ascertain the age or identity of the vehicle. This isn’t really a problem with the Extreme 360 and 430 kits (provided you have photos and receipts etc - its why I have the build diary, it helps immensely). Once you have the IVA certificate, you have to submit that to the DVLA along with a built up vehicle report, any photos of the build and as many receipts as you can muster.
The DVLA work on a points system so the more parts from the original car you keep, the higher the points and the more likely you’ll be issued with an age related plate. Points are awarded for unmodified Chassis, Axles, Transmission, Steering, Suspension and Engine. If the chassis remains unmodified you can apply to keep the original registration but because we modify the monocoque you have to apply for an age related plate instead.
Since the extreme cars retain the original Axle, Transmission, Steering, Suspension (we do change the suspension but we don’t
alter it) and Engine you have more than enough points for an age related plate - provided you can provide receipts, pictures etc. You’ll only receive a Q plate if they feel something is “off”, in that they can’t verify the identity of the original vehicle or too much has been changed that it doesn't have enough points (remember to get a VIN plate stamped and attach it under the bonnet before your IVA!). I received an age related plate from the DVLA with a new V5 but I’ve since changed it over to my personal plate.
As for the exhaust, if its too loud then I’d weld a silencer into the mid pipe. Once its passed the IVA, just replace the mid pipe…
As for the IVA itself, all of the Extreme kits require an IVA with the exception perhaps of the 355 - I’m not sure how the original car is modified for that kit.
The monocoque chassis is considered by the DVLA to contain the true identity of the vehicle. If you modify the monocoque, the vehicle looses its identity and must go through an IVA to be given a new identity. Years ago, it used to be that you could modify fore or aft of the suspension points without requiring one but its changed to include “modifying the chassis either in between the standard suspension points or fore and aft of these”
I admit its a complete ballache with the paperwork, it costs stupid money for the IVA, you have to get your car transported to and from the centre, and then you have to deal with the DVLA who seem to struggle with anything beyond simple requests. But its nowhere near as bad as it sounds because most of the original car is still in place so a lot of the IVA doesn’t really count. Its just small things like exhaust, windows, lights etc. Its worth it because if the vehicle is not correctly registered “
the owner commits an offence every time the vehicle is used on the road” and can have the vehicle seized or the V5 withdrawn.
I know the above from personal experience - I was involved in an accident in a modified vehicle years ago. What started as a smallish bump spiralled completely out of control. It ended up in magistrates court and I was charged with driving without insurance, driving without an MOT and dangerous driving (driving knowing that the vehicle had no SVA (the old IVA) so I was “driving with total disregard for the safety of myself and other road users”). I should add that my car did have a valid MOT and was insured but because the vehicle had no SVA, they are considered null and void. I ended up with a £1,200 fine, 13 points, banned for 12 months and my car was seized and destroyed.
I admit, I was young and full of attitude, and I have a lot of tattoos so I probably didn’t give the best impression to the magistrate.
Someone else might never get pulled, might be in an accident and everything is fine. Its a lottery and its up to you if you want to play or not. I’ve spent around 15k building my car so far and I just didn’t want to risk anything.