declaring engine swap to the dvla
Moderator: martauto
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sparkyE30
- E30 Zone Newbie

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i have fitted an m60b40 engine and its just about ready to go on the road but i want to declare it to the dvla and the insurance so that everything is legit. has anybody had any experience of this and will i need an engineers report or anything? cheerz Mark
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jmc330i
- Engaged to the E30 Zone

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I've only ever declared to insurance. Never bothered telling the dvla and I expect most people are the same. I know some tell them of the change in cc, but I've never had issues taxing or MOTing either of my cars after engine swaps.
James
'91 325i Sport
'93 318i touring 16v
'91 325i Sport
'93 318i touring 16v
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leeparkes
- Married to the E30 Zone

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With the E30 i just filled in the log book then sent it off, came back with new details on.
Never bothered with the compact so DVLA still think its a 1.8,
Its declaring it to your insurance thats important.
Never bothered with the compact so DVLA still think its a 1.8,
Its declaring it to your insurance thats important.
Cypriotgeeza wrote:I done both my mates in my old 318is
felt so proud,even tried it with a E30 325i and got put in my place..
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maggspower
- Turbo Farmer Tractor Driver
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As above. Tell the insurance definatly. Do not tell the DVLA, they will just give you grief. It is not illeagal to change the engine, but there is a man waiting for this to plop on his desk, so he can ruin your day.
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ANDY325TOURING
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Ive told the DVLA before, asked for a receipt (work and specific details) sent me a V5c with the alterred details and that was it.
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Bristol_Jer
- E30 Zone Addict

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I've been meaning to ask this question too since I put my m30 in. I declared straight away to insurance, as well as all the other modifications.
Insurance companies can't wriggle out of a claim if the DVLA don't have the new engine details then?
Insurance companies can't wriggle out of a claim if the DVLA don't have the new engine details then?
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capnmchl
- E30 Zone Camper

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The way I see it, the DVLA only want to know so they can screw you out of more tax. But these cars are all pre 2001, and they're all pre emissions test, so there's nothing they can do.
The only slight complication is going from something in the lower tax band (not sure of the cc's on M40 1.6's) to something in the higher tax band.
But if it doesn't cost anything, it can't hurt.
The only slight complication is going from something in the lower tax band (not sure of the cc's on M40 1.6's) to something in the higher tax band.
But if it doesn't cost anything, it can't hurt.
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Rav335uk
- E30 Zone Meets/Events Team

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Only my insurance company was informed.

If you Got "Haters",Then your doing something Right!
CR24v??? Where's it all gone?? LOL
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Blitz
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Every E30 fits into the higher tax band.capnmchl wrote:The way I see it, the DVLA only want to know so they can screw you out of more tax. But these cars are all pre 2001, and they're all pre emissions test, so there's nothing they can do.
The only slight complication is going from something in the lower tax band (not sure of the cc's on M40 1.6's) to something in the higher tax band.
But if it doesn't cost anything, it can't hurt.
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DanThe
- E30 Zone Team Member

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As said previously, there is a good for nothing office jockey siting at his desk at DVLA towers waiting for such a form to come in, he cant wait to turn it into a load of 'work' that makes his job appear worthy. Its not a legal requirement to inform them unless the engine change affects the road tax duty, yours wont, so leave the forms in the post office 
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capnmchl
- E30 Zone Camper

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That sorts that out then.Blitz wrote:Every E30 fits into the higher tax band.capnmchl wrote:The way I see it, the DVLA only want to know so they can screw you out of more tax. But these cars are all pre 2001, and they're all pre emissions test, so there's nothing they can do.
The only slight complication is going from something in the lower tax band (not sure of the cc's on M40 1.6's) to something in the higher tax band.
But if it doesn't cost anything, it can't hurt.
Don't bother. They're all wankers that deserve to loose their jobs anyway.
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BATTS91
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I tryed with a moped once . They wouldnt let me as needed proof from a garage that it had been proffesionally fitted and a vic check . This was 2008/09 . Was going from 50cc to 125cc , never bothered since .
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sparkyE30
- E30 Zone Newbie

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Cheerz for clearing that up.any good insurance companies that wont rip me off for it? Do i just phone them up and tell them i have changed the engine then give them the number?
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nickso
- E30 Zone Addict

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Insurance underwriters can be cunts for engine swaps and the ones that do take you on will want your left bollock in return. One reason why my track e30 is shortly to be no more.
Dont think i have told the DVLA about any of my engine swaps.
Dont think i have told the DVLA about any of my engine swaps.

'88 e30 328i M52 track bint.
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capnmchl
- E30 Zone Camper

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Brentacre, adrian flux, graham sykes, sky, footman james and probably more.
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ConvertChris
- E30 Zone Newbie

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Don't say nothing!! i once told the DVLA about a Yamaha that I had bought and was fitted with a 430cc engine,the V5 said it was a RD250!
They wanted to know who fitted it, was it petrol!!!! they wanted a letter from Yamaha confirming it was one of their engines!! what a load of shit!! never again, insurance yes but DVLA no!!
They wanted to know who fitted it, was it petrol!!!! they wanted a letter from Yamaha confirming it was one of their engines!! what a load of shit!! never again, insurance yes but DVLA no!!
