DVLA

[Stirlingmoz]

Anyone had any problems with DVLA recently ?

I have used my V5C to notify them that I have fitted a newly rebuilt engine to my old R80.

The new (old) engine is 898cc so bigger than the old (original) 798cc. The stamped in engine number is different.

DVLA want receipts for the engine, proof of work carried on headed note paper or engineers reports etc. Currently I don’t have any of this. The engine was bought years ago at Kempton Park autojumble as a spare and I refurbished it and recently slotted it into the bike.

The bike is insured as 898cc with the modification declared to the underwriter.

It all seems a bit OTT for a simple engine swap.

Just wonder if anyone has trodden this path before me and how they resolved the problem.

 

[yorkshire whippet]

You may be able to request a police officer from your local force visit and verify what you are saying to satisfy DVLA.

 

[Neil W]

Been standard for a number of years ,when main dealer put a new crate engine in my f800gsa I sent away all docs for the engine number change including copy of receipt for new motor and bills from warranty claim and DVLA did not accept them and refused to return the V5c .
I had to get the dealer to contact them and they had to send in info on a report on headed notepaper.
Cheapest and quickest is either pay for an engineers report or get a friendly motorcycle dealer to do you one to confirm fitment re provenance of the motor not sure what you can do unless someone is willing to give you a receipt

 

[Neil W]

You may be able to request a police officer from your local force visit and verify what you are saying to satisfy DVLA.

Probably F all chance of that happening , good few years ago when I was serving and was also a qualified and authorised vehicle examiner and had current autocrime qualifications DVLA would not accept information provided yet I got a mate to send them details on headed notepaper from his garage and that was fine

 

[Stirlingmoz]

Thanks for the quick responses.

I do have a V5C but the engine number and cc are both incorrect. The rest is spot on.

I have emailed DVLA outlining all the info I have - I can’t magic up a receipt I don’t have and requested guidance as to the next steps.

Thinking maybe I should have just kept quiet about the engine swap but wanted it all to be legit

I can see why Motorworks now sell frames with matching engine numbers. Saves a while world of hassle.

 

[Neil W]

Thanks for the quick responses.

I do have a V5C but the engine number and cc are both incorrect. The rest is spot on.

I have emailed DVLA outlining all the info I have - I can’t magic up a receipt I don’t have and requested guidance as to the next steps.

Thinking maybe I should have just kept quiet about the engine swap but wanted it all to be legit

Problem is that if you do send in the V5c for changes they will not return it until they have the info they want, ex work colleague owns a Velocette LE an ex met police bike and engine number is wrong as when in service in the early 60' s the motor was swapped, he wanted to change details on V5c but DVLA wanted all the info they quoted for you . In the end he just left well alone , it has been fine since the 1960' s with no issues.
If you are keeping the bike and not selling and your insurance company is happy I would leave well alone

 

[Snaf]

You only have to supply one piece of evidence..
Government.uk

 

[Neil W]

You only have to supply one piece of evidence..
Government.uk

What it says is not neccesarily what the DVLA actually want, I provided them with the V5c, a letter explaining the reason for the engine swap, the receipt and bill for the warranty work ,all on main bmw dealers paperwork and including showing the new engine number and associated bmw uk paperwork for supply of said motor plus it showed they fitted the motor.
DVLA would not accept this and refused to return the V5C , main dealer had to contact them and then send an engineers report on headed notepaper specifically stating that they supplied and fitted the motor ( DVLA had all of details but not in the format they wanted, they wanted every item on the list not just one )

 

[Snaf]

What it says is not neccesarily what the DVLA actually want, I provided them with the V5c, a letter explaining the reason for the engine swap, the receipt and bill for the warranty work ,all on main bmw dealers paperwork and including showing the new engine number and associated bmw uk paperwork for supply of said motor plus it showed they fitted the motor.
DVLA would not accept this and refused to return the V5C , main dealer had to contact them and then send an engineers report on headed notepaper specifically stating that they supplied and fitted the motor ( DVLA had all of details but not in the format they wanted, they wanted every item on the list not just one )

I've only had that problem once when the receipt for a new engine didnt include CC, I got my local motorycle shop to write a letter confirming CC. I now make sure that I give exactly what they ask for and have never had a problem. I always thought that new replacement BMW engines came without a engine number and that the exeisting number could be engraved, I have a brand new F650 engine on the workshop with documentation that has never been engraved.
It would appear that there is consideration for making things more difficult, we should all be filling this in, I have.
Gov Uk rebuilt vehicle consultation