question Down-plating a vehicle

[Eastblock]

I'm intersted in a vehicle with a GVW of 5500kg. The unladen weight is 3150kg so it should be possible to use it and stay below 3500kg (the max I can drive on my license). On the DVLA website it says to contact either VOSA or the manufacturer. The manufacturer does not exist anymore so I guess it must be VOSA. Is anyone familiar with the procedure and are there any caveats to be aware of? I assume the vehicle would have to go on a weighbridge?

[mcspool]

I'm intersted in a vehicle with a GVW of 5500kg. The unladen weight is 3150kg so it should be possible to use it and stay below 3500kg (the max I can drive on my license). On the DVLA website it says to contact either VOSA or the manufacturer. The manufacturer does not exist anymore so I guess it must be VOSA. Is anyone familiar with the procedure and are there any caveats to be aware of? I assume the vehicle would have to go on a weighbridge?

 

In Holland you go and have the vehicle weighed officially, then go to the RDW (our DVLA), and have it registered on a car registration. The registration papers will state the unladen weight is 3150 kg, and the maximum permissible load (inlc. driver) is 350 kg.

 

H.

[Eastblock]

I've been doing a lot of searching and reading and it does my head in! It looks like I will need a new VIN plate with the GVW changed but this is where it gets sticky. The manufacturer is no longer in existence. Since the vehicle is ex-NVA (DDR Army) then chances are it wont even have a VIN plate. Commonly all they have is a chassis number. I have email VOSA to ask for advice. The vehicle is on a Q-plate so it is unlikely there will be any weights on the V5. The vehicle is currently considered MOT and tax free.

[croc]

what is it? what age is it? what info do you have?

[Eastblock]

It's the Robur LO-2002-A currently on Ebay. It is on a Q plate. Probably from late 70's. From German forums I have been able to find out that the unladen weight with the drop back should be app. 3150kg and that there are several down-rated Roburs driving around in Germany.

[Richard Farrant]

The vehicle is on a Q-plate so it is unlikely there will be any weights on the V5. The vehicle is currently considered MOT and tax free.

 

Eastblock,

 

Generally, if a vehicle is registered with a Q plate it is because the date of manufacture has not been determined, that being so, it is not likely to be on Historic tax group, and to be MoT exempt, it would have to be manufactured before 1960, as from what you are saying it is over 3500kgs GVW.

 

Points to consider...........

[Eastblock]

That was purely what it stated in the listing. My assumption is that I would have to MOT and tax it. My main concern is whether it can be down-plated or not.

[poppypiesdad]

how about this

 

http://www.wheelbase.net/legislation-help-desk/downplating.html

 

or

 

http://www.chrishodgetrucks.co.uk/pagelaw/law6.htm'>http://www.chrishodgetrucks.co.uk/pagelaw/law6.htm'>http://www.chrishodgetrucks.co.uk/pagelaw/law6.htm

 

or

 

http://www.chrishodgetrucks.co.uk/pagelaw/law6.htm

 

and these are very good by all accounts

 

http://www.svtech.co.uk/lightcomm.html

 

GOOGLE IS YOUR FRIEND

 

Jamie

Edited September 13, 2009 by poppypiesdad

[Eastblock]

Trust me, I've done a lot of Googling and nothing specifically deals with MVs from deceased manufacturers:)

 

I just spoke to VOSA and they say that when the manufacturer no longer exists I should go through SV Tech. Called them and they will have an engineer call me back later today.

[Eastblock]

Talked to SV Tech. Very helpful. Should be a straightforward exercise and would cost app. £80.

[MARTIN CROSS]

I downplated my Reo using SV Tech. Nice guys and very helpful.

M

[Eastblock]

I'm not having much luck with SV Tech. They seem to be too busy to deal with my request and they don't call back. Are there any other businesses that deal with downplating?

 

I need to get a 5500kg truck downplated to 3500kg. It's empty weight is only 2700kg so it shouldn't be that much of an issue.

[cosrec]

I'm not having much luck with SV Tech. They seem to be too busy to deal with my request and they don't call back. Are there any other businesses that deal with downplating?

 

 

 

 

I need to get a 5500kg truck downplated to 3500kg. It's empty weight is only 2700kg so it shouldn't be that much of an issue.

 

over the years have dealt with sv tech and found helpful but have also dealt with http://www.wheelbase.net/legislation-help-desk/downplating.html try giving them a ring it is only a paper exercise

[Eastblock]

Thanks, I'll give them a try. Unfortunately it is not just a paper exercise when downplating a vehicle that is under 7.5T. It requires modification. In most cases it is just a simple suspension travel stop. It then has to be tested as an HGV with the modification. A ministry plate with the new MAM is issued and then it has to go through a class 7 MOT. At least I won't have to worry about type approval as the vehicle is from 1971.

[Eastblock]

Not having much luck. Wheelbase Engineering were going to have an engineer call me back after lunch hour but that didn't happen. Business must be really good at the moment.

[MARTIN CROSS]

Hi

Try SV Tech again and ask for Gareth,he was brilliant and helped me no end.

Martin

[Gareth Coe]

We used JR Consultancy.

Very easy procedure.

Contact them on 01359 250808

They're in Bardwell, near Bury St Edmunds.