DVLA, V5 and Engine Size

Mon Feb 20, 2012 7:18 pm

I've tried researching this for a while but I'm still slightly none of the wiser.

My car was originally a 318i Cab Lux...

I have now put an m20 2.5 engine in...

Do I tell the DVLA about the cubic capacity or that the car is now a 325i Cab Lux or both?

I've read that this is pain in the a*%e to do! Or shall I not bother? Does it cost anything?

Insurance have been notified and that was fine and easy to do!

Mon Feb 20, 2012 7:22 pm

as long as the insurance company is then i suppose that the important thing, best thing is probably just change the cubic capacity of the car on the v5

Mon Feb 20, 2012 7:34 pm

You can change the engine size and numbers easy with the dvla. But to change the model you will need a letter from the manafacture to confirm model change.

Mon Feb 20, 2012 8:09 pm

Would a dealer be able to do that? ^^^

Mon Feb 20, 2012 8:14 pm

I've never bothered with the risk of notifying DVLA of engine changes as it can sometimes result in a world of pain.

Just make sure the insurer knows and you're good.

On old turds like E30's it's not like you're cheating the government out of tax revenue as road tax is the same price regardless of engine size, unlike post 2001 stuff.

Mon Feb 20, 2012 8:22 pm

i also didnt bother telling the dvla. just the insurer.

Mon Feb 20, 2012 8:25 pm

Ajsingh wrote:Would a dealer be able to do that? ^^^

Yes as long as "ALL" the correct changes have been made to the car and it passes the inspection that they will want to carry out before giving you said letter. Not worth trying imo.

Mon Feb 20, 2012 8:36 pm

zaust wrote:
Ajsingh wrote:Would a dealer be able to do that? ^^^
Yes as long as "ALL" the correct changes have been made to the car and it passes the inspection that they will want to carry out before giving you said letter. Not worth trying imo.

Tay might get an M3 then.

Mon Feb 20, 2012 9:15 pm

It's a 318i cab lux with an engine capacity of 2.5l, and should be registered as such. It's an silly anomaly with all cars that reference their engine size in the model name.

Mon Feb 20, 2012 9:31 pm

It cost's the same to Tax a 318 as it does a 325. If your insurance is valid (all mods declared) I'd not risk DVLA wanting a full enginears report etc.

Mon Feb 20, 2012 9:43 pm

How would you stand oon the off chance you were stopped in one of those VOSA inspections if it wasn't declared to the DVLA but was to the insurance?

Mon Feb 20, 2012 9:53 pm

I had a VIC check done after slipping in the M52, no complaints from the local VOSA centre.

I spacked the touring around a lamp post and the place was crawling with plod who were looking under the bonnet and asked about the engine. All they were bothered about asking me was if the mods were declared. It was still registered as a 316i.

Mon Feb 20, 2012 9:59 pm

E30BeemerLad wrote:I had a VIC check done after slipping in the M52, no complaints from the local VOSA centre.

I spacked the touring around a lamp post and the place was crawling with plod who were looking under the bonnet and asked about the engine. All they were bothered about asking me was if the mods were declared. It was still registered as a 316i.

Tax'd correctly and insurance valid is all plod are interested in

Wed Apr 11, 2012 5:05 pm

how about when you take it for a MOT would the tester have to put it down as e.g 328i if ur old engine was smaller?

Wed Apr 11, 2012 5:10 pm

Nope, it's rarely been mentioned when i've taken cars for MOTs with different engines. Only time it was mentioned was because the car was a 318i with an M20B25 and the chap was curious as to why it sounded how it did.

Wed Apr 11, 2012 5:21 pm

Only notified my insurance company too of mods.

Wed Apr 11, 2012 5:24 pm

E30BeemerLad wrote:I've never bothered with the risk of notifying DVLA of engine changes as it can sometimes result in a world of pain.

Just make sure the insurer knows and you're good.

On old turds like E30's it's not like you're cheating the government out of tax revenue as road tax is the same price regardless of engine size, unlike post 2001 stuff.

This.

Wed Apr 11, 2012 5:26 pm

E30BeemerLad wrote:I had a VIC check done after slipping in the M52, no complaints from the local VOSA centre.

That's different though because you went to them for a check i'm assuming? I was on about those road stops they sometimes run in an area, they go over cars checking all details (engine/chassis number etc) and testing things like fuel.

I've just checked the logbook on my Mk1 Golf, it was a 1.3 Driver but now has all the running gear from a 1.6 GTi, the logbook has been changed to say it's a 1600 but the engine number is listed as unknown