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You can, of course, build and IVA with one engine, then change it later...but it isn't as simple as it used to be. In the 'good old days', all you had to do was update the engine number & capacity if applicable, on the V5 and send it to DVLA. Now, you need to produce an 'official' letter from a recognised business in the trade to declare that the engine swap as detailed has taken place. Not the end of the world, but one more hoop to jump, and I honestly don't know what would happen come MOT time with emissions testing. Simplest path by far on that front is a Q plate. I'd be very surprised if you'd be able to get anything else given the history of your build so far. Personally, I love a Q plate for a kit car. Makes things much easier. RFL will be the same regardless of registration and is governed simply by engine capacity as kits are treated as 'PLG'. Under 1549cc is £220, over is £360 The key thing to remember in all this is that DVSA, who handle the IVA, and DVLA, who handle registration are NOT the same entity!! This helps a bit when trying to understand why the left hand doesn't seem to even know there is a right hand at times. One thing to check, the chassis number. Make sure it meets the rules or you may have to have DVLA issue one for you - no big deal, and it's free, but might need doing depending on how old the kit is...maybe!! The DVLA Kits & Rebuilds department are actually pretty helpful in my limited experience with them. And please, do start a build thread. It's a great way for folk to follow along and offer unsolicited advice

Thanks for the info Dave I did find this guys contacts on another forum I sent an email to his address earlier so let’s see but doesn’t sound too hopeful

Yeh I will have to but it’s just annoying having to try and explain all of this over the phone to numerous testers wish there was an easy solution!

I can't remember who told me, but I'm sorry to say I was told the old Vauxhall department that dealt with things like proof of age etc on the engines, shut up shop years ago. I know the old contact info we have on the site here stopped working along time ago. (Scarily) it's two decades since I used them! but here's the contact details kit builders used to use, like I say, not active as far as I know, but you might be able to get a referral possibly? Jonathan Bell, Vehicle Registrations Systems Coordinator Vauxhall, Marketing Services J. Bell 7288 D3, Vauxhall Motors Limited, Griffin House, Osborne Road, Luton, LU1 3YT ,ENGLAND. Ext: 7288 Tel: 0044 - (0)1582-427288 (Office) Tel: 0044 - (0)1582-874405 (Office) Fax: 0044 - (0)1582 427400 Dial-8: 8944 - 7288 Mobile: 0044 - (0)7721-066886 Email: jonathan.bell@vauxhall.co.uk (Office)

A few pics from today plus an interesting kit car

Impressed by this. It's something I've considered but having the minerals to get on and do it is another thing!

Think I’d use another garage seems the tester doesn’t want to know

Did you secure the seat in position somehow? I just ask as the MOT guidance says that an insecure seat is a major defect. I know it's really more of a cushion than a seat but you know how strict some testers can be. D

Nope nothing on the v5 only that it’s a 2.0 ltr engine that’s it!

Does it not say in the notes on the V5

Cadwell was good weather..I got my first 40 minute session which was great then ten laps in to the next session with my mate driving the Sierra stub axle let go. Luckily no accident and a return to the pits and problem found. The pads and caliper working on the disc had stopped the wheel coming off. That's the first time in seven years I haven't finished a track day! New hub ordered from Westfield online, hopefully their stock count is correct and they have the one it shows, now looking for a good quality Sierra stub axle and marching the carrier for the golf caliper.. and of course a good quality Volvo 440 bearing..

This is all great info thanks. Looks like it's a lot of research and work through all the options.

Lurking away amongst some other cool toys.

It doesn’t look like it to me I’ve inspected the engine bay so many times and I can’t find evidence of anything. This tester I went to yesterday would not accept anything he told me he can’t accept the details on. Wikipedia either as this can be edited etc etc

If there's been an engine swap that dramatic, there'd be some way to tell normally (holes in weird places etc!). Don't bother ringing around as nobody will pre-commit to passing anything - you need a local personal (private) recommendation I'd suggest, eg from others in the club local area?

Yeah I haven’t got SVA details with the paperwork that came with the car plus I think the engine may have been changed at some point the database the tester used said it had a 4 ltr engine in at some point so I’m assuming If I apply for the certificate it will have this engine info which will be useless at this point!

Yeah I thought I might try this for the long term as I can’t be doing this every year but imagine it may take a long while or a lot perseverance and maybe cash in someone’s back pocket! yep it seems all I can do now is keep ringing around the area to see if I can persuade someone to pass it!

I'd contact vauxhall customer services and ask for a proof of age letter for that engine number - but might take some time and effort unless they've suddenly become helpful... Meanwhile I'd ask (quietly) around local car groups for a more experienced tester to get you through this year.

Yes very!! You can obviously search the web and find historical info on the engine but the tester won’t accept this as proof of age so I’m a bit stuck my MOT has expired now and the weather is beautiful outside!!

Sounds very frustrating, C20XE were nearly all pre-1995 so you should fall all the way to the bottom at a non-cat 3.5% CO/ 1200ppm HC test but obviously they want proof for your actual engine - this should have been provided at time of SVA/IVA - not in your paperwork folder I guess?

Yeah it was registered July 1999! There are no limits on the V5 no engine code details nothing!! I don’t think it’s had a cat fitted in the past but I can’t be sure. It’s fuel injected on TBs. I wondered if a letter/email from a Vauxhall specialist might help to clarify its age? I thought about speaking to my local dealership but not sure if they will have access to databases to confirm the age off the engine code. I’ve read the age is a code embedded within the engine code and it can be deciphered but I don’t know how? Or if this is correct?

Oh dear, so your car was registered after Aug 1998 and doesn't have any limits listed on the V5? Is it fuel injected and previously fitted with a cat perhaps? Which path do you think your car should follow in the flowchart?

Yeah but this was at a different station and I’ve moved house out of the area and the local stations won’t accept the flow chart they are insisting on me proving the engine age or having a copy of the SVA certificate as mentioned in the manual. The V5 doesn’t mention anything on it either so they won’t accept it. It’s driving me nuts tbh!

What went wrong, I thought you had a successful pass last year after showing them the flowchart and V5 information that confirmed your non-cat limits?

Hi all, Im having issues again getting an MOT on my Westy. it’s the age old story of the MOT station refusing to test it as I haven’t got proof of the engine age. It has a C2OXE With no Cat fitted, research on the web suggests that this engine was built before the Cat rules came into place however the tester won’t take anything on the web as evidence of this. I’ve read that you can look at the cam retainers and the date is embossed on them, mine says 90 so I’m assuming it’s a 1990 engine does anyone know if this is correct and how I can prove this to the tester? Has anyone managed to get any other proof like something direct from Vauxhall or a specialist? On the MOT testers database it also said the car had a different engine at some point so I can’t apply for a reissued SVA certificate either. My only joy is trying to find a dodgy tester that will take some extra cash and pass it or someone that will take Web info as proof!? It’s just really annoying and will happen every year so I’m looking for a better solution. Any ideas guys? Many thanks Sam