Modified chassis DVLA radically altered vehicle

Evening
According too the DVLA you have to retain 8 points from their system otherwise your car is classed as a radically modified vehicle and as a result requires a Q plate

"You can keep its original registration number if you can prove you’ve used:

The original unmodified chassis or body-shellA new chassis or monocoque body-shell of the ‘same specification’ as the original

You must also have 2 other major components from the original vehicle on the following list:

Suspension (front and Back)
Steering assembly
Axles (both)
Transmission
Engine"

Looking at their system would drilling the chassis to fit recovery points or radius arm protection count as a modification?

Welding winch plates on ?

What about no going repairs e.g repairing chassis?

Any ideas chaps?

As far as I am aware plating a chassis in order to effect a repair is absolutely fine as are mounting winches and recovery points. Even things like altering the shape of a body mount to generate more clearance so long as it picks up the body in the same place. What they object to are things like a wheelbase alteration beyond that achieved with different radius arms, think limousine stretch or things like a bobtail or snub nose conversion where you chop off either end of the chassis to improve your angles off road. It has to be a significant change.

This is my interpretation of the rules. It is not intended as a definite statement. If you're in any doubt contact your local vosa iva testing facility and discuss your intentions with them. An mot garage will not be able to give you meaningful information as works of this nature are beyond the scope of the mot test, it has to be an iva facility. Do not be afraid to ask them before you start they are there to help.

Modification to the chassis would mean changing the main body mounting points or altering width/length of the chassis.

The scope for modification/alteration is still huge, a few towing points will be no problem.

sniper

I have emailed the DVLA for certification

Good morning
I have been looking at your stytem of radically alterd vehicles.
Would adding recovery points either by welding or drilling and bolting to the chassis be considered a chassis modification hense loosing 5 points?

How about Tow bars which require drilling and bolting?
How about like for like repairs ?

Please could you clarify, does this rule apply to these small changes?
Regards

Fyi. All towing equipment has to be type approved in order to be fitted to a vehicle. This means no home brew bars or couplings are allowed and that the fitment is in a position prepared at manufacture which on a Jimny are predrilled holes in the chassis and on a grand vitara are captive nuts in the body.

My reply from the DVLA


I appreciate you contacting DVLA to seek clarification on the matter.

It may help if I explain that if the alteration to the chassis is permanent i.e. Cut or welded this would be classed as permanent modification as theses alterations are classed as non- reversible. Blot on can be reversed so these would not be classed as a permanent modification. 

Where the frame has been cut or modified a ‘Q’ mark will be allocated and the vehicle must obtain MSVA.

You can discuss MSVA tests with the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) on 0300 123 9000. You can contact them Monday to Friday 7.30am - 6pm.

I hope this helps