I bought a 500SL Pantah from Steve Wynne (Sports Motorcycles Manchester) in May 1980. I have owned it ever since and still own it - "one careful owner" etc. Now I'm about to embark on rebuilding it again (it's been in bits for several years). Once it is working and MOT'ed I shall want to tax it for the road. There is a snag however. When the bike was first registered, Steve wrote down the frame number wrongly in the documentation. Only the last two digits of the number stamped on the frame are slightly different from the numbers printed in the log-book. Back in the day, nobody worried about that or noticed. But nowadays if I get an MOT, the tester will note down the frame number and key it into the computer terminal. If the number fails to correspond, as it will, DVLA will not accept it and I won't be able to tax the bike. The question is, what should I do for the best? I don't want to be forced to have a new Q reg, obviously. Is there any chance DVLA would agree to amend the frame number in the log-book and computer, if I asked them, to correspond with the metal? Or would I be better off getting the problem digits on the headstock re-engraved to match the log-book? Or there may be some other option I don't know about. I don't want to tell DVLA stuff I may later wish I hadn't mentioned. Any cogent advice would be welcome.
Interesting question. Do you have a local DVLA branch? I would suggest ringing and asking for advice without revealing exactly who you are or which machine you refer to. As the original owner, and I assume with proof of ownership, it might be possible to get a new v5 issued with the numbers corrected to allow you to keep the reg. I would be willing to ring DVLA on your behalf to ask the questions if you wished. Chris
Thanks. I believe there is a local DVLA office at Sidcup, not too far away. As for proof of ownership, I have not kept the invoice from 32 years ago, so not really. I'm a bit reluctant to ring them because I fear they might insist I give my name etc and the reg. no. in question before responding. Are even they willing to answer hypothetical questions, I wonder? I may yet take you up on your kind offer. Let's see if there are some other ideas forthcoming first.
Government departments hate answering "hypothetical questions" and some of them will only answer questions about what is, not what would be if. Good luck getting some advice.
I had a bike (electronic) MOT'ed and they spotted that the V5 didn't match the frame number - can't exactly remember the problem, a 3 instead of an 8 or vice versa, the MOT station did some sort of report and I was sent a new V5. Might be worth talking to an MOT guy rather than the DVLA?
+1 on the above, they (the dvla) must realise/know that mistakes get made and have probably instructed MOT testers to use initiative in such instances, and amend accordingly. Fully understand your concern though regarding resolving it.
they should do becuase they make enough of them I imported a bike that I'd previously owned and used overseas DVLA corrupted the frame numbers it took 2 or 3 years of letter writing to try and get this sorted out, DVLA refused to acknowledge the problem and it was not until computerised mot came in that they were forced to correct the problem, fortunately I had all the original importation documentation and DVLA finally sorted it out. If you have the original bill of sale you stand a chance of sorting this out. DVLA do not like doctored numbers - a friend of mine is having to rebuild a custom bike around a new frame becuase DVLA cottoned on to a bike built around a 1968 jupiter (some russiian bike) when they twigged the numbers did not match Otherwise its join the DOC or VMCC and get a dating certificate to reregister the bike as rebuilt My advice talk to DVLA and tell them exactly what has gone wrong, this is the easiest and quickest way to sort it, hypothetical questions raise alarm bells.
Had similar with and old car I had. Number plate and vin didn't line up from paperwork to actual. Wrote a letter, they sent a new V5 within a few weeks. No problem.
Same sort of thing happened to me with my old 400SS. It was only when it went for its first MOT under my ownership that the discrepancy between the stamped frame number and the one in the log book came to light. I was sent a new V5 without even asking.
That sounds most helpful. But I have also known of bikes with frame numbers not corresponding where DVLA has refused to do anything except re-register with a Q plate. There may be good reasons for the different outcome in different cases, but if so I don't know what the good reasons are.
Would it also be worthwhile asking Ducati (DOC or UK sale company) to confirm their record on frame vs engine numbers for your bike to add facts to whichever route you choose to take? I would recommend an honest, fact-based letter to the DVLA. I suspect that they would treat hypothetical questions with caution, as they probably think it is ne'er do wells trying to find out how to further their criminal activities.
Do NOT dick around with your frame number! Too many awkward questions if it gets found later on... if the questioned letters/numbers get an extra-heavy layer of paint/powdercoat on refurb and are largely blurred/unreadable anyway then this would be "unfortunate". Me? I would confront DVLA, explain to them you have had the bike and frame since the dawn of time itself, have just brushed cobwebs off it as your Winter project / checked the frame numbers as a forum friend thought it might have been a limited run/be worth a lot of money etc - and found this discrepancy from apparently new?? I would doubt they would ever issue a Q-plate for it? Would be age related at least? DUC 500S? :biggrin: Easily sorted, and not worth the headtrip!
There is the option to correct mismatched details during the MOT, you will eventually get a new V5 with the correct details on
Thanks for all the advice. I have played a straight bat, and written to DVLA setting out the circumstances fully and truthfully. With luck they will amend the frame number, as I have asked, but if they won't at least I'll know where I stand. I was not prepared to go to a lot of effort rebuilding the bike only to risk finding it's a problem at the end.
I've had some good news today. DVLA have sent me a lovely new red V5C Registration document, with the frame number now the same as the number stamped on the frame. So as and when I rebuild the bike all the docs will be in order. Nice Xmas present.
