just a quickee,

if i put a V6 in my series IIa will it still be tax exempt?

cheers nathan.

Yes chap, yer engine only counts for 1 point. Thats only 1 point that you lose regarding modifications.

Regards WP.

is there anywhere on the net that will clarify the tax exemption stuff, coz i want to know how much i can modify whilst keeping the tax free????

cheers for the reply WP.

found this on the dvla web pages.......

A Review of the Vehicle Inspection Procedures of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency and Driver and Vehicle Licensing Northern Ireland
Radically Altered Vehicles
40. Radically altered vehicles are vehicles that have been substantially altered from their original specification, but are not kit conversions.

41. Although their appearance is different from the original they may still qualify to retain their original registration marks. The vehicle components used from the original vehicle are allocated a numeric value and provided the vehicle scores eight points or more it will retain its original mark.

42. The point system is weighted as follows; the original or new (direct replacement from the manufacturer) unmodified chassis/monocoque bodyshell has a value of 5, the suspension (front and back) 2, axles (both) 2, transmission 2, steering assembly 2, engine 1.

43. If the original registration mark is retained, the vehicle registration document is amended to record the vehicle’s new description but SVA is not required. If the vehicle is assessed as being a different vehicle the only option is to allocate a Q registration mark and the vehicle will be subject to one of the following depending on the vehicle category:

Enhanced Single Vehicle Approval (ESVA), (ESVA is not yet available in NI and if a vehicle requires ESVA it must be tested outside NI)
Single Vehicle Approval (SVA), or
(in NI) a Department Approval Certificate (DAC).
44. There are drawbacks with the current system in that a vehicle may retain its original mark even though it may show no resemblance to the original specification and that generally, other than the chassis/monocoque bodyshell/frame and the engine, the major components of the vehicle are not marked by the manufacturer.

45. The objective of the inspection for this category of vehicle is to establish if the radically altered vehicle contains enough of the original vehicle to retain the original registration mark.

46. We would like your views on

i. Whether the current system meets its objective; if not
ii. How would you like to see these vehicles assessed?
iii. Whether you consider that a vehicle whose appearance has changed from its original specification should retain its original registration mark?
iv. Whether you consider that, in the interests of road safety, all radically altered vehicles should be subject to ESVA/SVA/MSVA/DAC (NI)?
v. Who do you consider should carry out an inspection of such vehicles?
vi. How do you consider the current procedures can be improved?
vii. Whether you consider the examination of the documentary evidence an important part of the inspection process?
viii. Whether you regard the weighting values assigned to the vehicle components to be relevant?
ix. Whether you would be prepared to pay for the service? If not;
x. Who do you consider should bare the cost of the inspection?

do people know if parabolic springs would count towards the point or not?

Parabolics wont alter anything mate, they're still leaf springs. I know this cos I've been on the sharp end of this one (big time). You've got to retain 8 of a possible 14 points regarding originality.

If you want too discuss this in a little more detail greatbignath you're more than welcome to PM me mate.

Regards WP.