DVLA and engine swops

I have been rebuilding a 1985 Defender for quite a while and have replaced the 2.25 petrol motor with a 200tdi motor, when I tried to register this change with the DVLA they sent me a form letter back saying they wanted a receipt from the garage that did the motor swap or an inspection report from the RAC or AA, which I understand are currently around £300.
There is one option that says I can supply "written confirmation from the engine manufacturer showing the engine number and size" but I am not getting anywhere with enquiries about this.
It would seem to me they are trying to put people off doing stuff like this with such draconian requirements.
Is there any reasonably priced way of getting this change registered?

Start up a company. Small local mechanics. Wotsit 4 engines. Then send um a reciept ;-)

phone them up and ask if your local mot test centre can write a report

I did try a phone call and was told they would send me details of all my options - got exactly the same form letter again, tried writing to them twice, first reply was, guess what - same form letter, not had any reply to second letter.

get your mate at garage to write letter stating the conversion is of a good standard and is safe in his opinion the braking,steering and suspension are capable of the engine fitted.

Do nothing.

You've satisfied the legal requirement - to inform them of changes on the V5. If they're not happy with this, its their problem, not yours.

'Do nothing' sounds good to me at the moment, when I first informed them them of the change, about 6 weeks ago, I was also applying for a tax disc and they sent that from my local DVLA straight away.

needs a letter from a registered garage - my local MOT man did one on headed paper for my MG conversion. was absolutely fine with that, sent me it back all good. what fanatic sed.

doing nothing won't work - if it aint on the V5 it aint kosher.

my fathers fleet of taxis not one of them had an orginal engine!he never had any probs with not changing v5,s but with all the dodgy landys about and bitsa's you need to sort it out otherwise you will get bitten

i stuck a replacement engine in an ldv van, never told anyone, no comment at mot place.... only time its likely to be noticed is if you sell it to someone who bothers to check that the engine no matches the documents.
hasnt happened with the van cos im still using it as a shed.

ricc said:

i stuck a replacement engine in an ldv van, never told anyone, no comment at mot place.... only time its likely to be noticed is if you sell it to someone who bothers to check that the engine no matches the documents.
hasnt happened with the van cos im still using it as a shed.

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Changing an engine like for like isn't a problem, the problem he's got is going petrol to diesle, thats why they want an engineers report.

Oh bum! suppose I'll wait and see what the reply is from DVLA to my last letter.

I have put a 3.9 v8 in my defender and it was a 2.5td have not told anyone when/if I get pulled over it's in the post getting sorted officer

sible88 said:

I have put a 3.9 v8 in my defender and it was a 2.5td have not told anyone when/if I get pulled over it's in the post getting sorted officer

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So is it still registered as a doosle on log book? whats it insured as petrol or doosle?

Sible I would imagine your insurance is void as the DVLA have no idea about the change of engine/fuel type, you cannot sell the vehicle as being cosha and because its a change of fuel type will need an engineers report or Vosa inspection if they get arsey.
Going from 2.5na to 2.5TDI was simple because al they said was ok no problem its a straigh forward swap. With some of the conversions and wiring from diesel to petrol I have seen no wonder they want a engineers report TBH there are some abrtions out there.

Im petty sure that an MOT tester isn't qualified to do an engineers report

oldskool said:

Im petty sure that an MOT tester isn't qualified to do an engineers report

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he might not just be a tester .....

sible88 said:

I have put a 3.9 v8 in my defender and it was a 2.5td have not told anyone when/if I get pulled over it's in the post getting sorted officer

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Apart from invalidating your insurance, there's also the probability of the vehicle being impounded at the roadside should you be stopped. The old story of 'in the post' unfortunately doesn't work anymore. If your details dont match up with the DVLA or VOSA computer.... you're in the mire

Yes and older looking Landya are definatly targetet by vosa seen to many on my way to work pulled over with the poor bastid owner not looking so happy

Another fine point for this is having the correct engine number on the v5. During my time as a vehicle examiner for dvla/police we only had the engine numbers to Id older vehicles if the vins had been removed.