Sva?

[mgb2010]

Following much discussion in the local, can someone clarify if a plus two would need an sva if upgraded using the full Spyder Cars zetec package?

I note that in the SVA literature referances are made to:
-A rebuilt vehicle: ...has been rebuilt with a replacement chassis to original specification....
-A vehicle manufactured from parts of another vehicle...

MGB

[steve]

it wouldn't need one if you kept your mouth shut !
if you just send off your log book stating change of engine .not sure how sva works for a car of a +2's age i am only familiar with it on kit cars and thats hard enough .you could find yourself in all sorts of agro ,why not speak to spyder ,

[steve]

ahhh i knew i had read it at some time ,club lotus mag ! it says that the so called chassis on elans infact anything with a bockbone chassis ,technicaly and legally it is not a chassis but a subframe so there is no need to inform the dvla etc or they could Q plate the car ,infact i had this once where said elan chassis had been repalced with a spyder chassis and the owner informed the dvla so the log book now says built in 1990 when the chassis was changed but it still retains the origonal reg no ? so keep your chassis swap to yourself and just inform them of the engine swap !

[curly]

only people to tell is insurance company, or you might be wearing a shiny Q plate have fun Curly.

[mgb2010]

Spoken to SVA people & DVLA, each car is assessed on individual basis given the nature and number of modifications; this would then mean that the car would fall into different catogaries (from rebuilt, modified, to a new car). If you complete all of the spyder modifications it would appear that it would require an SVA & become registered on a Q plate.
Unfortunately this means that the lotus would have to fulfil all of the modern regulations which could pose problems.
All in all, it appears that this could be a lot of bad news!

MGB

[steve]

don't like to say i told you so but i did

[fitzy1]

I'm building a Spyder zetec plus 2 at present and did my own research into sva(having previously built a kit car)
Spyders advice is that you only need to inform the DVLA of the change of engine and any colour change, The "chassis" is a sub frame and the vin no. runs with the body so there is no need for SVA.
This is confirmed by Club Lotus who have also investigated it fully.

I've simply written to dvla registering change of ownership and informing them of change in engine no .

fitzy

[LaikaTheDog]

slightly off topic...whats the hit on Insurance ?, under classic limited milage my lotus comes in at under ?200, but what happens when you tell the insurer that it has a new 2 litre twink in it ?

[mgb2010]

Following this discussion, the latest response from the DVLA is printed below.

MGB

.......................................

CUSTOMER REF : V168737

Thank you for your e-mail.

When a vehicle needs to be rebuilt the identity of the vehicle may be called
into question. Is it the original which has been repaired or have so many
different parts been used in the rebuilding that the original vehicle has
been effectively broken up?
Vehicles which have been substantially rebuilt need to be examined by one of
the DVLA Local Offices.
The DVLA Office will access whether the vehicle can retain its registration
mark or if an alternative mark should be allocated.
This will depend on whether the majority of major components come from the
original vehicle.
In order to retain the original registration mark a car must use;
The original unmodified chassis or unaltered bodyshell
OR
A new or monocoque bodyshell of the same specification as the original
supported by evidence from the dealer/manufacture (e.g. receipt)
AND two other major components from the original vehicle
Suspension (front & back)
Axles (both)
Transmission
Steering assembly
Engine
If a second hand chassis/monocoque bodyshell is used, the vehicle must pass
a Standard Vehicle Approval test after which a "Q" prefix registration
number will be allocated.
For reconstructed classics, vehicles comprising genuine period components of
the same specification, will be assigned an age-related mark.
The appropriate vehicle enthusiasts club must confirm authenticity of the
components.

Regards

Miss Shirley Wilkins
Customer Enquiries Vehicles

For further information on Driver and Vehicle Licensing, visit our website
on <a href='http://www.dvla.gov.uk' target='_blank'>http://www.dvla.gov.uk</a>

[steve]

give it up man your digging to deep !

keep it simple as many of us have said .......... still if you want to make it hard for yourself go ahead cant say you were not warned :blink: <_< don't come crying when you have a Q plate

[mgb2010]

At present my +2 is in the final stages of rebuild (engine holding everything up!), I was interested in the full spider package but wanted to be sure that I was aware of the consequences before making a decision at this late stage & laying out the cash. The result of this is that I am not going to use the Spyder products and am keeping the car as original as reasonably possible. I do not wish to get involved with the hassle to ensure that the vehicle is fully/correctly registered (even though the results are supposed to be V good), it appears that most of you thought likewise.

Thanks for the help!


MGB

[steve]

:blink: