Where to start! after getting the cosmos blue car on the road and getting used to it, I sent my V5 to the DVLA to say it was now a convertible.
They did not reply for maybe 6 weeks, then all hell broke loose! Various forms to fill in. then in June a letter to say the car had to be taken off the road, and go through a IVA test then issued with a Q plate. I protested saying I already had one. Big misteak!! They then took that car off the road! Even though it was on the V5 as a convertible!.
Back to the cosmos blue car. It was my own fault. I had come under the "Radically altered vehicle rule" Since I had altered the monocoque, I had lost 5 points on their 8 point rule
It's cost me about £1000 to get it through a IVA test. The IVA test costs £450 plus £90 for re test. Big thanks to Ant at rust republic for doing the work for getting through the test as a favor. top man! The nearest IVA test station to me is, Chadderton Manchester 110 Miles away.
Ive made 2 acquaintances /friends through all this One a guy who modifies high end cars using CAD design. The other is an ex DVLA official who has been a star. All found through 2 forums.
Thankfully they DVLA have re issued the V5 for the green car with just a note saying "its made up of various bits some of which may not be new".
The green car was converted in 1992. IVA tests did not come in until 1998. Luckily the body shop who did this conversion is still going and remembers doing it. That was a good result in the end!
For the past 4 months I have become embroiled in the world of DVLa rules and car modifying in general.
New rules come in from next year regarding engine mods and power increases . If your car was fitted with a bigger engine, or power increase greater than 15% after 1988. It will never become tax or MOT exempt. How are they going to police this? From next year if a car is presented for and MOT The tester is duty bound to report that the car has been modified. For engine swaps this is almost impossible to police, as engine numbers are very hard to find. That won't go far!
The big one is DO NOT ALTER YOUR MONOCOQUE in any way! This includes "Notching out" to take bigger drive shafts. Any cutting and altering suspension mounts. If you do then it has to be IVA tested and a Q plate issued
Biggest thing I have learned is tell the DVLA NOTHING! The fella who is ex DVLA and helped me out says likewise. Just about every operative at the DVLA no nothing about cars, they just follow rules. If your form lands on the right persons desk you could be ok. Wrong desk?
Happy motoring
