Wrong engine on Log Book

[Sir Brixalot]

Hello All

I have just picked up a T25 from near Aberdeen and driven back to London via Glasgow for unexpected new clutch. I bought from a private owner who had told me that the engine had been changed from a 1.6 to a golf 1.9 TDI. I asked whether the log book had been changed and was told that it had been changed...I forgot to check and it hasn't. Is it an easy process to change the log book bearing in mind I didn't buy from a garage and don't know the history. How did it get all those MOTs I wonder

[Plasticman]

get your log book (as such) updated with new engine size and engine number and more importantly let your insurance know that its ********
mike

[langb20]

It's very easy, just go to your local DVLA office with the relevant documentation (V5) and any documentation you have on the engine code that you have, receipts for work etc. that they're interested in. they just photocopy what you got and then you get your new V5 in the post.
Definitely inform your insurance company also as engine change does count as a modification, even if it doesn't change the road tax bracket youre in

[Plasticman]

Dont need to waste your time and effort in person, send the buggers a letter with new eng no and capacity etc include photocopy of v5
keep receipt of postage.
they want anything else then let them write, dont make life easy for them by using email,put pen to paper,
remeber dvla and vosa are not to be trusted nor relied upon
mike

[garyd]

I'm interested in the responses given here. In the past I have had no trouble with getting engine details updated on the V5 but recently it has been different.

I have just completed installing a Golf MkIII Gti engine in place of an AAZ diesel (which itself replaced a JX). I sent the V5 back with the new details and they have come back asking for 'professional' confirmation of the engine number. That is, they want me to take it to a garage and get them to write a letter stating that 'engine number ******' is in this vehicle.

I would probably do that to save any bother but unfortunately that area of the block has been quite rusted and the stamped number is not readable. As usual though, there is a sticker on the cambelt cover quoting the engine number but they won't accept even photgraphic evidence of this.

Has anyone else had problems like this?

thanks
Garyd

[Plasticman]

No and Im sorry but you have notified them of the change and supplied the relevant number, I would do no more for the jobsworths, they may by appointment come and inspect
mike

[ianboydsnr]

I'm interested in the responses given here. In the past I have had no trouble with getting engine details updated on the V5 but recently it has been different.

I have just completed installing a Golf MkIII Gti engine in place of an AAZ diesel (which itself replaced a JX). I sent the V5 back with the new details and they have come back asking for 'professional' confirmation of the engine number. That is, they want me to take it to a garage and get them to write a letter stating that 'engine number ******' is in this vehicle.

I would probably do that to save any bother but unfortunately that area of the block has been quite rusted and the stamped number is not readable. As usual though, there is a sticker on the cambelt cover quoting the engine number but they won't accept even photgraphic evidence of this.

Has anyone else had problems like this?

thanks
Garyd

Err yes, but I just ignored it and received the V5 with the correct number, not had any follow up letters!

[colinthefox]

I had 14 weeks of hassle with the pedantic paper pushing little jobsworths. In the end I got my local garage to give me a letter which I dictated over the phone. (E D I T)Edited here to avoid incriminating myself (/E D I T). They want a letter written by a garage ON HEADED NOTEPAPER stating the details of the engine. If by being this pedantic they are trying to reduce the number if innacurate V5s, this is self defeating, as less people will be bothered to inform them of changes. Cameron, this is where the cuts should be.

[Plasticman]

Suppose its a matter of how much effoert you want to put into hassling them, me Id spend quite a lot, anything to try to get them of script, I never use the phone, real writing on paper causes them more hassle and they cant later deny something theyve written,
ok I know its straying from the post a little but I do like resiting petty fools in so called authority , for a laugh I might write of to enquire the duty class etc of my vehicle converted to run on fluorocate
mike

[pocolow]

My Van doesn't have the original engine , but as it's the same size I can't be arsed in telling them...I'm a closet anarchist

[CycloneMike]

Suppose its a matter of how much effoert you want to put into hassling them, me Id spend quite a lot, anything to try to get them of script, I never use the phone, real writing on paper causes them more hassle and they cant later deny something theyve written,
ok I know its straying from the post a little but I do like resiting petty fools in so called authority , for a laugh I might write of to enquire the duty class etc of my vehicle converted to run on fluorocate
mike

I admire your spirit, but do remember that the petty jobsworth is dealing with what you send in his/her paid time and it probably isn't that much trouble to them to put your request back to the bottom of the pile.
If they choose to suspect that the vehicle or its parts or the paper work are not correct, with the swipe of their pen or a press of a button they can attached a marker on the DVLA vehicle record which will result in a requirement for a vehicle identity check or Police inspection, both of which will end up costing in either time or money. Oh and while you wait (think in terms of months here not days) for it to be sorted you may not be able to renew your VEL or easily buy/sell the vehicle.
Believe it or not, the DVLA don't really care about the engine number it isn't mandatory on the V5 and in my opinion this in no way helps to fight the theft of cars and vans. What they do care about is engine size (read emissions) because we no longer have one rate of VEL for all vehicles, so now they want to know if you change the engine size. It doesn't matter to them that at this age of vehicle that it doesn't alter the rate of duty. It is a system that is now applied to across the board to all vehicle ages. Prior to this the DVLA would change the V5 to whatever you told them, if you told them you put the engine from a Volvo FH16 in a mini the numbers would be changed and the form sent back. What they are asking for now is some evidence or independent verification, such as the letterhead from a garage. In DVLA world they also don’t appear to understand that some people get their hands dirty and fix/tinker with their own vehicles and/or use legitimate second hand parts.
I can imagine if this system doesn't prove to be successful, in the future any changes will involve some form of "official" inspection at the owners cost.

Good luck,
Mike.