Help!Issue With DVLA!

[xbally]

Over 12 months ago i bought a Honda VT500 which so the story went had been stood for about 20 years as the PO had died and his widow was reluctant to move the bike on.Muggins bought the bike off the person who bought it from the PO's widow and it then sat in my workshop for 12 months.It's recently been re-commissioned and after a load of hassle passed the MOT and is now on the road.Yesterday,out of the blue i received a letter from our friends at the DVLA to say there was a discrepancy in the frame number on the MOT certificate and the MOT.When i checked they are correct and the numbers do not match!I know you are supposed to check these things when you buy and this is the first time i have been caught out!I have reported back to the DVLA and await their response.Does anyone have experience of this state of affairs?Am i looking at a VOSA inspection or am i at risk of losing the bike?I've chucked loadsamoney at it to bring it back to life!

[Andy M]

Is the difference typo proportions or obvious tampering? Ive come out of discussions on 4 vs 8 vs B sucessfuly on trailer plates, you just need to get to talk to a real person which can be frustrating.

Andy

[xbally]

There's no obvious sign of re-stamping or tampering.The two different numbers are not that far apart but i don't see how they could have become mixed up.It's a bit of a mystery to me-maybe 20+ years ago-before this country was politically correct -these things were the norm?I don't know.

[timbo]

You've lost me, I'm afraid. Do you mean the frame no on the V5 is different from the frame no on the MOT cert?

[xbally]

Yes that's it!Simples..........

[timbo]

Mmm. So the frame no stamped on the bike, doesn't match the log book. Does everything else on the logbook tie in with the bike? Could it be, for example, an 8 stamped on the frame, has been read as a 3, or similar?

[xbally]

There's an actual difference of 84 in the two numbers,ie if you take away the lower number from the higher but i can't see that an 3 has been mistaken for a 3 or anything like that.

[Andy M]

Just keep talking to them. They seem to respond better to a bit of gentle pushing back followed by positive suggestions. They know their systems have been a shambles for years and all the manual entry stuff is full of typos but as The Government cant own up. Their training levels arent up to knowing what to do, so any easy, practical, open solution is often accepted. Blame the first MOT station 17 years ago and offer to send them photos of an obviously original frame and number. Dont suppose youve got anything nice like engine to frame bolts with 20 year old rust joining them?

Andy

[xbally]

Thanks Andy-that advice sounds like a good plan.As you rightly say before we became a Police State things were very different.The bike does look to be very original.The discrepancy may been due to an entirely innocent error-who had the responsibility of entering the frame number at initial registration?The supplying dealer i suppose?It was probably the YTS mechanic's task and he didn't care a jot whether the numbers were right or not OR as you say on the first MOT.Hopefully nothing will be shown on any stolen vehicle register and it can be sorted out amicably.

[timbo]

Yes, I think that is the only way out of it. Gently convince them that there must have been a mistake made. Also do a DVLA enquiry online, to see what that throws up. It should at least link your reg with the make band model of bike.

[Richard]

We should be glad that the DVLA is doing its bit to stop potentially stolen parts being used on bikes to be honest.  If the frame number is coming up on their system as linked to a stolen machine then you should expect a visit at some point to see how you came by it.

If its a mistake by the manufacturer then it would be very unusual in my experience - and I've had to examine a fair few vehicles for chassis/frame/engine numbers in my time.

"before this country was politically correct" - not sure what thats got to do with it mind.  Somebody will be along in a moment to say its the EU's fault no doubt.

If the frame number isn't showing as stolen then they may get you to attend VOSA or similar for verification to make sure it hasn't been cleverly altered from a stolen machine.  I don't know if they are still doing that.  I haven't had one of those jobs come along in a good while.

It used to be recommended that the buyer check vehicles to ensure that the engine and chassis numbers matched the log book but that again seems to have stopped over recent years, I don't know why.  Saying which I don't do it myself any more (note to self to start again).

If no reason turns up they are usually pretty good at eventually just amending records.  Stick with it, though by the sound of it you don't have much alternative.  Good luck.

[iansoady]

"before this country was politically correct" - not sure what thats got to do with it mind.  Somebody will be along in a moment to say its the EU's fault no doubt.

Or ethanol.........

[xbally]

Ye i'm sure the DVLA are only doing their job....hell i used to be a civil servant once myself. Agreed i should have checked the numbers before i bought it but the PO seemed like such a nice chap.......I used to do this at one time but it seemed to be no longer necessary.Guess i'm as much annoyed with myself-it's just hassle you can do without.Life's complicated enough.Fingers crossed it will sort itself out....

[SteveC#222]

Many many many moons ago when I was a 17 year old sprog I rebuilt a Lambretta scooter I had bought in boxes off my mate ( I've had the treatment and I'm better now!....well it was very cheap).

When I sent the log book up to the DVLA to get the owner details changed it came back as a Lambretta 175cc 2 stroke  waste disposal vehicle! so they do make mistakes.....or they don't like scooters!

[xbally]

Sounds about right to me......!!