Rob Waldron Posted September 2, 2022 Share Posted September 2, 2022 (edited) Hi As some of you are already aware I am presently looking on buying a Westfield. Presently picking members brains to gather the necessary information before I start seriously looking. I have noticed that there are quite a few cars on Q plates as well as standard. Does this relate to whether they were self built or factory built. ? When it comes to insurance is there any difference’s of being a Q or not. I did read that it could be a slight problem getting insurance with some companies having a Q. I know I would not be able to treat myself to a private plate if it’s on Q. ☺️ Which as the say could be a little over indulgence anyway 🤔 thanks again for your help Rob Edited September 2, 2022 by Rob Waldron Add a sentence Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin Parker (Red Spider) - Yorkshire AO Posted September 2, 2022 Share Posted September 2, 2022 Nothing wrong with a Q plate, so don't let that put you off. Never had a problem with insurance, @Carlie APlan. Also MOT as a pre 1974 car, so no emissions test, just a visual check. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DamperMan Posted September 2, 2022 Share Posted September 2, 2022 in order to achieve a normal numberplate, it needs to be proved that the car is mostly made from new parts and complies to modern requirements. Advantage being you can be sure it was made from all new bits and you can buy a vanity plate. A Q plate does not need to prove the age of components and therefore can not be given an age related plate. Advantages the emission rules are much looser usually just visual, and most/ if not all don't need a cat. Theres other stuff like fog lights and reversing lights which are a bit more optional at MOT time. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAFKARM Posted September 2, 2022 Share Posted September 2, 2022 9 minutes ago, DamperMan said: in order to achieve a normal numberplate, it needs to be proved that the car is mostly made from new parts and complies to modern requirements. Advantage being you can be sure it was made from all new bits and you can buy a vanity plate. A Q plate does not need to prove the age of components and therefore can not be given an age related plate. Advantages the emission rules are much looser usually just visual, and most/ if not all don't need a cat. Theres other stuff like fog lights and reversing lights which are a bit more optional at MOT time. Q plate is better option IMO! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Colonial Posted September 2, 2022 Share Posted September 2, 2022 Q is only good news for the reasons above, especially at MOT time. No one knows the age of the car, either. People are genuinely surprised when I tell them my car is 30 years old. Also highly unlikely to get your plate cloned, a Q plate on anything mass produced would stand out like Piers Morgan wearing a dress in life boat. Never had an issue with insurance. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corsechris Posted September 2, 2022 Share Posted September 2, 2022 Another vote for a Q plate being zero problem and arguably a benefit. You could see an age-related plate rather than a ‘new build’ on an SDV build, but again, not really any benefit unless you want a vanity plate on it. I get the desire to avoid a Q plate on a replica kit, but something like a Westfield, not really. Never had issues with insurance as always used specialists who understand that a Q on a kit is normal, rather than mainstream insurers who might think a Q signifies something with a chequered past. If buying used, I can only really see the Q as a bonus. No emissions check at MOT time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin Parker (Red Spider) - Yorkshire AO Posted September 2, 2022 Share Posted September 2, 2022 One downside is that a Q plate will never be tax or MOT exempt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evosteve Posted September 2, 2022 Share Posted September 2, 2022 I have never had any problems with a Q plate, some see it as an advantage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Colonial Posted September 2, 2022 Share Posted September 2, 2022 25 minutes ago, Robin Parker (Red Spider) - Yorkshire AO said: One downside is that a Q plate will never be tax or MOT exempt. Not sure that’s entirely the case, according to the UK Government website: “Vehicles that do not need an MOT You do not need to get an MOT if: the vehicle was built or first registered more than 40 years ago no ‘substantial changes’ have been made to the vehicle in the last 30 years, for example replacing the chassis, body, axles or engine to change the way the vehicle works If you’re not sure if there have been any substantial changes you can: read the full guidance on MOT exemptions for historic vehicles speak to a historic vehicle expert Vehicles exempt from vehicle tax If your vehicle was built before 1 January 1982, you can stop paying vehicle tax from 1 April 2022. If you do not know when your vehicle was built, but it was registered before 8 January 1982, you do not need to pay vehicle tax from 1 April 2022.” Another ten years for me to wait! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Euan Hoosearmy Posted September 2, 2022 Share Posted September 2, 2022 I've a Q plate Westy too, hasn't been an issue at all, the V5 is nice and vague too, no details on engine number etc so could swap out without having to do paperwork 🙂 as long as the new one is still 2L (or looks like it's 2L). The only bit that comes up in the forums from time to time is MOT testers who don't understand Q plate rules. So you may need to shop around a bit to avoid Kwik-Fit type MOT places that only expect "normal" cars. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kingster Posted September 2, 2022 Share Posted September 2, 2022 I deliberately opted for a Q with mine - could have “technically” got aged related being an SDV or (as frequently happens) produced faked receipts for the various components. But liked the advantages a Q offers. To be clear, in order to get a new plate, a car must have ALL brand new components except for ONE SINGLE refurbished to “as new” component. So you can’t “legally” get a new plate with a “rattle can refurb” on a used engine and gearbox combo - as one of them MUST be brand new. It’s likely that is why the factory moved away from type 9 boxes and sierra diffs - after all the only “new” Sierra items you can get are actually refurbished to as new - so there goes your used component. So don’t worry about the mighty Q plate - at least the builder was honest! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin Parker (Red Spider) - Yorkshire AO Posted September 2, 2022 Share Posted September 2, 2022 1 hour ago, Scott Young (Captain Colonial) - Club Secretary said: Not sure that’s entirely the case, according to the UK Government website: “Vehicles that do not need an MOT You do not need to get an MOT if: the vehicle was built or first registered more than 40 years ago no ‘substantial changes’ have been made to the vehicle in the last 30 years, for example replacing the chassis, body, axles or engine to change the way the vehicle works If you’re not sure if there have been any substantial changes you can: read the full guidance on MOT exemptions for historic vehicles speak to a historic vehicle expert Vehicles exempt from vehicle tax If your vehicle was built before 1 January 1982, you can stop paying vehicle tax from 1 April 2022. If you do not know when your vehicle was built, but it was registered before 8 January 1982, you do not need to pay vehicle tax from 1 April 2022.” Another ten years for me to wait! Hope you're right and I'm wrong. 9 years to wait. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corsechris Posted September 2, 2022 Share Posted September 2, 2022 I see no issue with having an annual MOT myself. Happy to have an experienced pair of eyes cast over the car. No RFL would be nice though. Does the ‘no substantial change’ apply to that as well? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Waldron Posted September 2, 2022 Author Share Posted September 2, 2022 Well thats put my mind at rest. Many thanks guys for your help 👍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAFKARM Posted September 2, 2022 Share Posted September 2, 2022 Why does Kingster drive so slowly? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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