I've been waiting about 5 weeks for my registration to come through from the DVLA and I've now received a letter telling me that the bike needs to be inspected before I can have a number. Apparently I've got to contact SGS so that they can arrange a viewing. Who are SGS, has anyone had any experience of this before?

email (option): rickandjo@pullen14.freeserve.co.uk

Is this the privatisation of vehicle inspections?...

Personally I don't have a clue but I'm interested to hear what it's all about...Ian

Now I'm really worried, I thought if anyone knew what it was all about it would be you Ian!!

email (option): rickandjo@pullen14.freeserve.co.uk

http://www.sgs.co.uk/

Ron

email (option): ronpier@talk21.com

I see, so they've shut all the DVLA offices and farmed it out to a private company?

email (option): rickandjo@pullen14.freeserve.co.uk

Yes it looks like it Bill. Before this they were using the VOSA testing centres, but I gather that VOSA were not happy about it. My friend had to have his Sunbeam S7 inspected by VOSA for DVLA. When he enquired why his had to be inspected but that several people he knew had gone through the system without inspection. They told him that inspections were picked at random at about 1 in 10. I've just registered a Velo without inspection. I guess you were just unlucky. Ron

email (option): ronpier@talk21.com

Story of my life Ron! I'll let you know how I get along

email (option): rickandjo@pullen14.freeserve.co.uk

Got the bike registered at last, it took just over 6 weeks in all. This SGS company are indeed a commercial company working on behalf of the DVLA who have farmed all their work out to them. The two lads from SGS were very pleasant and business-like, but knew nothing about classic bikes, they seem to spend their time re-registering modern accident repaired cars. They had a print out from the internet telling them that the frame number was on the headstock and they weren't very keen on taking my word or the owners clubs word that it was actually under the seat. It all went smoothly in the end, but their lack of expert knowledge or marque specialists worries me a bit.

email (option): rickandjo@pullen14.freeserve.co.uk

Were you charged for the privilege of an inspection by two unqualified inspectors?... ...Ian

I know SGS from the mining industry of all things. They specialise in certification and lab testing so looks like they have branched out into the automotive world. Never mind the expertise.......lotza money!

email (option): Fergusanckorn@icloud.com

No Ian, no extra charge, just the £55 to the DVLA for the registration. I was expecting some kind of extra fee, but nobody has asked for anything yet. If you look at the SGS website, they seem to have fingers in all sorts of pies.

email (option): rickandjo@pullen14.freeserve.co.uk

You may even find that the inspectors are sub contractors as well. It wouldn't make sense to hire full time motorcycle/automotive inspectors, when you could just get them in when required.

Of course, it means that with the extra levels of bureaucracy, more people are in jobs, but it increases cock-ups.

email (option): oldjunk@btinternet.com

LB

Ok, so run us through the new procedure please, I've had a look at DVLA website and am no clearer ...

Do we come under - "#9 OLD VEHICLE" or "#10 RECONSTRUCTED CLASSIC VEHICLE" ... ?

If #10, a V627/1 will be required 9who completes this ?) and I presume we still need something from a club, identifying/confirming what the bike is.
Lots of hoop jumping ..
Biggest problem is receipts ....... from an Autojumble? .. or do we get a mate to write something ?

#9 OLD VEHICLE - seems easier and although it seems as if you need the original reg number, etc. it doesn't actually say that the bike has an number (can we make one up and surprise surprise when its not on the computer?)

MOT - as a pre60 vehicle is MOT exempt, do we need an MOT from someone else, or can we self-certify ?

What was your experience L.B ???

email (option): ginantonik@tiscali.co.uk

18.6.2015 - from DVLA website
Seems pretty straight forward, but with a few questions ..

ALL NEW REGISTRATIONS;
Complete V55/5
Provide – Photocard Driving License - or one document proving name and one proving address.
Payment for ROAD TAX £55 ..................What happens if not taxable ?
Current MOT ...............................What happens if Self-Cert.?
Insurance Cover Note
+ any extra forms/Docs required for “#9 OLD VEHICLES” and “#10 RECONSTRUCTED CLASSIC VEHICLE”


#9. OLD VEHICLES – original registration number;
As “ALL NEW REGISTRATIONS” +
V765 – endorsed by VEHICLES OWNERS CLUB
Photo of vehicle + documentary evidence that links to original number e.g. Original Log Book.


#10 RECONSTRUCTED CLASSIC VEHICLES
As “ALL NEW REGISTRATIONS” +
Written report from appropriate VEHICLES OWNERS CLUB saying;
• Has been inspected
• Is a true reflection of the marque
• Comprise genuine period components
V627/1 – ‘Built up vehicle inspection report’ + receipts.... autojumble buys?

DVLA will assign an age related reg. number based on youngest component used?

With this last one - has anyone had problems with repro parts, or indeed new parts like cables etc. ?

email (option): ginantonik@tiscali.co.uk

Blimey Nige you are over complicating the issue! Over the last 30 years I have registered 20-30 vehicles for myself and friends in the MVT. I am also the (unofficial) MVT vehicle inspector for Dorset. You just follow the DVLA procedure for registering a vehicle, but first you need a dating letter from the relevant club or organisation that applies to your vehicle ie. Triumph = TOC or VMCC. BSA = BSAOC or VMCC. anything military can be substantiated through the MVT or the vehicle make owners club.

You DO NOT need an MOT for a pre 1960 vehicle.

It gets more complicated if the vehicle is foreign or imported as you then also need a NOVA certificate from HMRC. But why tell them it's imported if you don't have to? Better that it's been laying in an English barn for 40 years.

Ron

email (option): ronpier@talk21.com

I sent in the usual DVLA form, dating letter from AMOC, proof of ID and a cheque for £55. The fee covers admin as I had no proof of previous registration and the bike now has an age related plate. No need for an MOT as the bike is pre 1960. Despite the paperwork and the club dating letter, I was lucky enough to be singled out for special attention from SGS. This didn't cause any particular problems, but it did seem to make the whole process longer, another layer of red tape. My worry is that SGS are not a specialist classic vehicle related company and I can see problems and delays in future?

email (option): rickandjo@pullen14.freeserve.co.uk

RON

Just decided to check on latest DVLC stuff, didn't intend to complicate.

RE: MOT - good new's, always a bit of a sticking point if bike isn't fully complete, in past have had the (Ariel) O.C visit and comment on bike for rubber stamp,

Just quoting DVLC regards REPORT from O.C. or a simple rubber stamp from O.C.
The reporting bit is new to me?
As is the form V627/1 - built up vehicle form ....?

I re-registered three bikes last year, from 1984-1968 - no earlier bikes for sometime.
All were classified as #9 OLD VEHICLE - previously registered, though I did use some BS and a random number plate for the 1968 one, after checking it wasn't registered by the DVLA.....

Exactly - about NOVA and telling anyone ............

email (option): ginantonik@tiscali.co.uk