Tax Exempt, modifications question

Shedload said:

I think the answer is modder beware and buyer be even more aware.
It's one things making changes to a vehicle you own for your own reasons and taking on any possible risk.
It is quite another to spend hard earned cash on a vehicle you think is legit only to find later that you have bought an expensive can of worms.
I read a while back of a guy who imported a very expensive Series from Africa that had been fully refurbished at great expense.
Only to find it could not be UK registered as no official records existed.
Not what we are talking about but it just shows things can go wrong.

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I don't think it is all that modder beware or buyer. As stated above, you have to make the self declaration every year, for Historic status and MoT exemption. When you buy a car, VED is non transferrable, so you will have to make those declarations there and then to use it on the road. so the situation is no different.

Your second point is completely unrelated and just sounds like someone hadn't done any homework at all. Of course you'd need some sort of vehicle ID to import and have it registered as its original make/year. I don't believe it couldn't be registered though, as that is what the IVA and Q plates are for....

300bhp/ton said:

That's your opinion and not one based on actual fact.... there are many different ways of modding a vehicle.

For example, a Tdi engine is as akin to a 2.25 engine a 4.6 Rover V8 is to an early 3.5

The Tdi uses essentially the same block as the earlier engine, so could quite justifiably be seen as the same engine, just an evolved state. Same as a 4.6 RV8 is quite different in many ways to an early 3.5, but most would say they are the same engine.

Suspension - has it really changed? I don't see independent suspension being fitted? Both systems are live axle suspension systems. The spring type has changed, but you could argue fitting paraboics or dual rate coil springs also does this. And there is, as I pointed out above, no definition of the word "modification" or any of the components.

It is also not illegal to repair a chassis. As you aren't transferring the chassis number over, you could say you used scrap metal to repair the chassis legs. At the end of the day, a large proportion of the chassis will be Series such as the crossmember and all the out riggers.

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There are only two ways of modifiying a vehicle: Legally, and illegally.
I was being specific. Describing Series Land Rovers that are described as being tax and MOT free yet having the bottom half of a different vehicle under the body. Nobody has mentioned converting to independant suspension...

300bhp/ton said:

Where is your data that the 2.25 is cleaner.....

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I assumed he referred to the newer 2.2 as opposed to the old 2225...

yfo866 said:

I assumed he referred to the newer 2.2 as opposed to the old 2225...

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What 2.2? A Puma?

yfo866 said:

There are only two ways of modifiying a vehicle: Legally, and illegally.
I was being specific. Describing Series Land Rovers that are described as being tax and MOT free yet having the bottom half of a different vehicle under the body. Nobody has mentioned converting to independant suspension...

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Utter nonsense I'm afraid. It is not illegal to modify a vehicle. Do at least put some effort into reading the .gov pages I linked before posting utter drivel.

300bhp/ton said:

I don't think it is all that modder beware or buyer. As stated above, you have to make the self declaration every year, for Historic status and MoT exemption. When you buy a car, VED is non transferrable, so you will have to make those declarations there and then to use it on the road. so the situation is no different.

Your second point is completely unrelated and just sounds like someone hadn't done any homework at all. Of course you'd need some sort of vehicle ID to import and have it registered as its original make/year. I don't believe it couldn't be registered though, as that is what the IVA and Q plates are for....

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I am simply pointing out that you need to check and be aware of what you are doing or buying.
As you say the declaration has to be made, but that only works if you tell the truth and know what has been done.

300bhp/ton said:

Utter nonsense I'm afraid. It is not illegal to modify a vehicle. Do at least put some effort into reading the .gov pages I linked before posting utter drivel.

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IF you swap your chassis, engine and gearbox, both axles and steering from another vehicle onto your 'free tax' vehicle and then do not inform DVLA, then yes mate, IT IS ILLEGAL! On two counts.
1. In the eyes of DVLA it is no longer the vehicle as registered which will then be given a Q registration number. That is the reason begind the points system.
2. As it is no longer the original 'free tax' vehicle you will be liable to pay tax.
There are many ways in which to modify a vehicle illegally. Fitting wheels which stick out from the bodywork when viewed from above is illegal. Having an exhaust that is too loud is illegal. Tinting front side windows too dark is ilIegal. Tinting the windscreen too dark is illegal! I didn't bother reading the links because having had to go through this process when building a kit car i am very familiar with the regulations. AND i also already own a 90 which is already on a Q plate after it was rebuilt using a new modified 110 chassis cut down to suit the body.
Yes, you can swap any part of one vehicle onto another whether it fits or not, but there are rules you have to follow. If you do not follow them you could fail your MOT. If you do not declare the changes you will have voided your insurance, at worse you will be stopped on the road by the police it will be impounded and it could end up being crushed!
At least that's how it is in the real world...
The person here spouting utter drivel is YOU!

Indeed

yfo866 is correct.​

Often not what you do it is the way that you go about it.
Nearly slipped into Bananarama there !
Ooer ?