The dreaded DVLA.

Well I have been swotting a little on the DVLA site, checking the feasability of changing the engine in a series for a 300tdi.
It would seem that this is real easy for a 200, but not so for a 300.
The radically altered vehicle directive applies to all modded vehicles, there are points awarded for every original componen retained, and if the total score is high enough the car retains its reg plate, if it doesnt reach the total then you need a q plate and a super duper mot in other words forget it.
You can change the engine and axles, or the suspension and axles etc and get away with it, however there is a clause that states that if the vehicles chassis/monocoque (same thing) is altered in any way it automatically loses its identity and needs a q plate and the super mot.
So if you change an engine and weld mounts to the chassis rails then you've pooped it, even drilling a hole in the chassis poops it.

The 300tdi fits the series box which is usefull under this scheme, however I was planning on welding engine mount brackets to the chassis, gonna have to find another way round this.
I did see on the side of the 300tdi some mounts that are not used, I wonder if these will fit the series's mounts.

Welding mounts / brackets on doesn't count as modifying the chassis.

Only a handful of MOT testers would notice minor mods to the chassis of a classic Land-Rover like engine mounts and it's not an MOT tester's job to police the DVLAs policies on vehicle identity anyway - it's their job to make sure the vehicle is safe. The important thing is to tell your insurance company what mods you've done.

Thank feck for that then.

Where did you get your info from, did dvla themselves say that?.

Yep the insurance company is fine with it.

I'll remove just enough of the old mounts, weld on the new ones (which I might just grind off the donor car if I can), and splodge the whole lot in underseal cack, then the busy mot guy is not gonna dwell on it, and as you say quite correctly its not their position to police dvla's rules.

I must admit I was a little worried at one point but feel better now.

Bloody government they come up with stupid policies, anything anyone likes doing a policy comes up to screw it up or make money out of it.

Thanks chaps.

modifying means lengthening, shortening etc.

this is like a fone conversation.

Yep gettin the picture, susp mounts, steering anchors rear member position, all that sort of stuff is what the policy is intended for.

I assume replacing a rotten rear crossmember is fine as the replacement is the same as land rover intended?.

Ta.

replacement as original isn't "modification".

Ok, so I can take the old mounts off mi series and graft on new ones for the 300tdi wothout any worries then.

hi
i used to be an mot tester (10 years ago) and wasnt told anything about looking for modds on chassis and the like
i seem to remember that all i had to worry about was the vehicle was safe and that anywork was to a good solid standard
as far as mount position who other than an expert would know exactlly where they should be

Fair enough then.

Whats the script regarding telling the dvla I've converted it to a diesel, do I just fil in the v5 with 'diesel' and send them a couple of photo's like I have read on other forums?.

you do want to be careful doing anytink to the chassis i no on a hgv you carnt weld to a chassis and can only drill 2 inchs away from any corner part of the rails/box sections as doing so weakens the chassis causing a rite off, not sure on a class 4 vehicle if this is the same i would speak to a car tester before doing anytink to the chassis at least that way you will know for sure

Don't think you need to send photos. I certainly didn't for change of engine number or colour.

So its not such a big deal then, things are made a bit better by the fact the replacement engine is a land rover one.