Electric Mini saga update!

[111Robin]

Having read the Hagerty article and some of the comments posted by other readers, it sounds like the DVLA take a dim view of the kinds of restorations many of us have undertaken on our cars. How confident is everyone here that should the DVLA find evidence (like photos here) of the lengths many of us go to with replacing entire floor assemblies, that they wouldn't withdraw the logbooks in the same way they've done with Ed's 1960?

I personally think I'll remove my build thread and any other public photos of the surgery my car has undergone. I've yet to attempt a CC change (with the original engine number..) on my car, and I don't think I'll trouble them with this info now, not after reading this..

Do you seriously think that DVLA have the time, or even interest to trawl through internet forums ?. I think you're being a bit paranoid. If you have restored your car to as close as possible to original spec' why would they bother anyway ?. I agree with the point made that they are likely using a loophole to try and stop DIY EV conversions from a safety perspective. Perhaps they have a fear of people starting to convert newer petrol/diesel cars to avoid paying tax, and this is a convenient method of stopping it until they have caught up and sorted out the legislation that will eventually govern such conversions. Any change in classification from petrol/diesel to electric will lose them revenue, this is what they will be mostly interested in. In this case it won't matter as it's historic tax class anyway however a modern car with an annual £400 tax revenue is a different story.

[Stopped-again]

Nothing to do with an electric conversion, but I moved house six months ago so sent sent my four V5 documents into DVLA for change of address. The 3 for “normal modern” cars came back within three weeks, no sign of the SORN Mini V5, gave it a couple more weeks still no sign, got in touch with DVLA using their online chat facility, I was informed that they had sent me a letter requesting photos showing the complete car with the registration number affixed to it, chassis number plate fixed in position and engine number, I said that I hadn’t received the letter and was told I could email the photos. So took the pictures as requested but the engine is “mid rebuild” and the body in the latter stages of restoration so engine not in the car and bonnet not fitted. Received a reply saying that “the car is not in “a road worthy” condition and they will not issue a V5 to a non Road worthy vehicle and that I should contact them when it is roadworthy backed up by photographs but they might still have to inspect the vehicle before issuing a V5. The car is a 1973 Mini 1000 with all the early twin bolt early subframe and square pedals, I’m not trying to register it as a Cooper S or something else it’s not but it does make you smile when you see some Minis for sale on eBay saying they are a re-shelled early car but they’ve got single bolt subframes, hexagonal pedals and sometimes steering column wiper controls and rocker switches (oval rear light conversions and an old V5 don’t make it a Mk1)
Ok I’ve got that off my chest, so just be careful when doing change of address on a SORN car, probably best to leave it as your old address until your rebuild is finished.

[Peter Laidler]

A GOOD example of what I keep banging on about. DVLC = Don't Volunteer Little Changes. Just let sleeping dogs lie

[mk1]

A GOOD example of what I keep banging on about. DVLC = Don't Volunteer Little Changes. Just let sleeping dogs lie

Not really a fair comment, the poster above was notifying a change of address. A legal requirement.

[111Robin]

Nothing to do with an electric conversion, but I moved house six months ago so sent sent my four V5 documents into DVLA for change of address. The 3 for “normal modern” cars came back within three weeks, no sign of the SORN Mini V5, gave it a couple more weeks still no sign, got in touch with DVLA using their online chat facility, I was informed that they had sent me a letter requesting photos showing the complete car with the registration number affixed to it, chassis number plate fixed in position and engine number, I said that I hadn’t received the letter and was told I could email the photos. So took the pictures as requested but the engine is “mid rebuild” and the body in the latter stages of restoration so engine not in the car and bonnet not fitted. Received a reply saying that “the car is not in “a road worthy” condition and they will not issue a V5 to a non Road worthy vehicle and that I should contact them when it is roadworthy backed up by photographs but they might still have to inspect the vehicle before issuing a V5. The car is a 1973 Mini 1000 with all the early twin bolt early subframe and square pedals, I’m not trying to register it as a Cooper S or something else it’s not but it does make you smile when you see some Minis for sale on eBay saying they are a re-shelled early car but they’ve got single bolt subframes, hexagonal pedals and sometimes steering column wiper controls and rocker switches (oval rear light conversions and an old V5 don’t make it a Mk1)
Ok I’ve got that off my chest, so just be careful when doing change of address on a SORN car, probably best to leave it as your old address until your rebuild is finished.

That's the standard process I went through to regain the registration for my ADO16 that had been dormant for thirty years and was no more than I expected for them to verify it was the same car and was roadworthy. There are plenty of unscrupulous types who would gladly flaunt the system to make a few quid so I'm glad that they are at least protecting the genuine owners like us who have nothing to hide. I don't agree with slagging them off for everything they do.

[gs.davies]

Nothing to do with an electric conversion, but I moved house six months ago so sent sent my four V5 documents into DVLA for change of address. The 3 for “normal modern” cars came back within three weeks, no sign of the SORN Mini V5, gave it a couple more weeks still no sign, got in touch with DVLA using their online chat facility, I was informed that they had sent me a letter requesting photos showing the complete car with the registration number affixed to it, chassis number plate fixed in position and engine number, I said that I hadn’t received the letter and was told I could email the photos. So took the pictures as requested but the engine is “mid rebuild” and the body in the latter stages of restoration so engine not in the car and bonnet not fitted. Received a reply saying that “the car is not in “a road worthy” condition and they will not issue a V5 to a non Road worthy vehicle and that I should contact them when it is roadworthy backed up by photographs but they might still have to inspect the vehicle before issuing a V5. The car is a 1973 Mini 1000 with all the early twin bolt early subframe and square pedals, I’m not trying to register it as a Cooper S or something else it’s not but it does make you smile when you see some Minis for sale on eBay saying they are a re-shelled early car but they’ve got single bolt subframes, hexagonal pedals and sometimes steering column wiper controls and rocker switches (oval rear light conversions and an old V5 don’t make it a Mk1)
Ok I’ve got that off my chest, so just be careful when doing change of address on a SORN car, probably best to leave it as your old address until your rebuild is finished.

Having read the Hagerty article and some of the comments posted by other readers, it sounds like the DVLA take a dim view of the kinds of restorations many of us have undertaken on our cars. How confident is everyone here that should the DVLA find evidence (like photos here) of the lengths many of us go to with replacing entire floor assemblies, that they wouldn't withdraw the logbooks in the same way they've done with Ed's 1960?

I personally think I'll remove my build thread and any other public photos of the surgery my car has undergone. I've yet to attempt a CC change (with the original engine number..) on my car, and I don't think I'll trouble them with this info now, not after reading this..

Do you seriously think that DVLA have the time, or even interest to trawl through internet forums ?. I think you're being a bit paranoid. If you have restored your car to as close as possible to original spec' why would they bother anyway ?. I agree with the point made that they are likely using a loophole to try and stop DIY EV conversions from a safety perspective. Perhaps they have a fear of people starting to convert newer petrol/diesel cars to avoid paying tax, and this is a convenient method of stopping it until they have caught up and sorted out the legislation that will eventually govern such conversions. Any change in classification from petrol/diesel to electric will lose them revenue, this is what they will be mostly interested in. In this case it won't matter as it's historic tax class anyway however a modern car with an annual £400 tax revenue is a different story.

For reasons like 'Stopped-again' shared. My car isn't intact at the moment, but in the late stages of assembly. So, if they turn up to inspect, find something they don't like and before you know it, you're in the same boat as Ed... In my case, I have an 1100 engine in an 850. I've retained the 850's number, partly for a giggle, but also because the engine tag was damaged on the 1100 and was illegible. I don't fancy an argument with some clipboard-toter who has no idea about Minis which results in me facing an IVA/Q plate etc etc.. and so it's not getting notified. Insurers are OK with it. Numerous phone conversations with the DVLA about the engine swap (without discussing who I was or the reg number) revealed that they are not consistent on their requirements for proof of an engine swap. Some say that there has to be a VAT receipt, invoices from garages, engineers reports etc, other said that because it was historic, none of the above applied.. I don't trust them.

[Bitsilly]

It may be worth figuring out what is better, that your insurance company knows what you are driving or if it agrees with the V5.
Do insurance companies insist that your car is as per the V5?

[Hipwell]

Do you seriously think that DVLA have the time, or even interest to trawl through internet forums ?. I think you're being a bit paranoid.

Well somebody I know purchased three cars from the same auction, Healey 3000, E-Type and prewar SS1. No V5's tun up. Gets letters saying all three need inspections. Inspections take place with the person I know thinking DVLA will be on his side. Letter comes saying the E-type is going on a Q plate as has holes drilled for roll cage, body has been changed and wind screen rake us different(Was sold as lightweight in the auction catalogue) Luckily they didn't spot there wasn't a body number on it and the engine number was wrong! Same story with other two cars, the SS1 still doesn't have a log book as no numbers anywhere on the car which is normal. We managed to argue the E type roll cage was removable and the windscreen rake hadn't been changed(They must have made this up) body was also stock other than some styling. They had clearly Googled the registration numbers when the logbook keeper change applications came in and they flagged up in their criteria.

[IslandBlue]

For reasons like 'Stopped-again' shared. My car isn't intact at the moment, but in the late stages of assembly. So, if they turn up to inspect, find something they don't like and before you know it, you're in the same boat as Ed... In my case, I have an 1100 engine in an 850. I've retained the 850's number, partly for a giggle, but also because the engine tag was damaged on the 1100 and was illegible. I don't fancy an argument with some clipboard-toter who has no idea about Minis which results in me facing an IVA/Q plate etc etc.. and so it's not getting notified. Insurers are OK with it. Numerous phone conversations with the DVLA about the engine swap (without discussing who I was or the reg number) revealed that they are not consistent on their requirements for proof of an engine swap. Some say that there has to be a VAT receipt, invoices from garages, engineers reports etc, other said that because it was historic, none of the above applied.. I don't trust them.

I registered the change of engine from 998 to 1293 on my 1989 (ex) City E in early 2021. The DVLA required one of the following:

• Purchase receipt on headed paper, from a garage confirming engine no. capacity and fuel type for replacement engine

• Inspection report for insurance purposes

• Written confirmation from the engine manufacturer listing engine size

I simply wrote back attaching an email from the guy I'd bought the reconditioned short engine from (18 months earlier, lucky he was helpful!) confirming the engine size and price paid. I also attached a few pictures of the engine swap for good measure explaining that the engine number had been lost in the reconditioning process. A new V5 was duly issued showing engine number: NOT KNOWN

Clearly it helped that it had been on the road beforehand but the above listed requirements appear specific, for a conventional engine change at least. If you're going electric or non-A-series &/or the vehicle has been off the road for a while then I suppose the DVLA might reasonably be more curious.

[mab01uk]

"DVLA approved - a 100% Electric Classic Mini, the first of its kind, yet another amazing milestone in Minis illustrious history."
https://rechargedheritage.co.uk/

[Bitsilly]

I put the charger point behind the number plate because to put the standard plug in the petrol filler hole (as shown in one of their photos) would have meant enlarging the hole.
Glad to see the DVLA don’t see that as a problem!