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Interesting Interaction with the DVLA


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I have now had two MOTs during my ownership of the 4A. First time, over a year ago, the local garage had a slight problem registering it, I think because they keyed the chassis number as on the car, which wasn't quite as on their system (and the V5C). The V5C had the correct number but it was prefixed with 'CHCTC' rather than just 'CTC'. I didn't think too much about it.

Then after the second MOT, some months ago, I received a letter from the DVLA saying there was some discrepancy in the recording of the MOT. I filled in a form giving details of what was on the car, the V5C, the MOT station number and for good measure I sent a copy of the heritage certificate - all by email.

Not long after I recieved a new V5C with the correct prefix. However, I had also stated there was a '-O' after the chassis number and this is also on the heritage certificate, and I also mentioned that this indicated 'Overdrive'. I didn't know whether they would put this on the V5C or not. They did, but as a '0' (zero) at the end of the proper number. I thought this was a bit odd so I emailed them back pointing out that, if included, it should be an 'O'.

So, just last week I got a phone call from a nice lady at the DVLA just to explain that they were aware that it meant Overdrive but that their system couldn't manage an 'O' in this position so they just put a zero (I got the impression this may be normal practice). Having spent most of my career in computer system development I was tempted to point out that there system was obviously not fit for purpose, but she was nice, and hey, perhaps there are more important things in the world.

So I now have a chassis number that is apparently in the hundreds of thousands rather than tens of thousands. Does anyone think that is a problem?

Alistair.  

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MoT Stations use a database which appears to be under the DVSA control.

Its obviously linked to DVLA and so you might think identical but although my car's V5C is correct, at MoT time the DVSA database says the car is a different colour (the colour it was years ago pre-restoration when DVLA were updated with the change - which is confirmed by a correct V5C).

Colour doesn't appear on the MoT certificate so its debatable how important this anomaly is.

I found DVSA difficult to deal with in trying to correct this and since a colour change isn't an MoT failure I have abandoned trying any further to help them correct their data.

I now take my V5C along to the MoT test!

Bob

 

 

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Alistair

the lady was telling you wrong it is definitely possible to put an O and not a zero and it is also possible to space it from the numbers , fill in the changes section on your V5 and send it back , with a covering letter or if you wish I will do one on headed Tr Register paper currently you have an in correct V5 and that is technically an offence . You can mail me on the below if you wish

Graham

v765@tr-register.co.uk

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Thanks guys.

Graham, I will take your advice and try and get it corrected (again!). As I seem to have a direct contact email route it is probably best if I try that again first. I'll let you know the outcome and whether I need help.

Just another thought: should I insist on the 'O' being put at the end or not? Is it thought of as being part of the chassis number?

Thanks.

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1 hour ago, Ali King said:

Thanks guys.

Graham, I will take your advice and try and get it corrected (again!). As I seem to have a direct contact email route it is probably best if I try that again first. I'll let you know the outcome and whether I need help.

Just another thought: should I insist on the 'O' being put at the end or not? Is it thought of as being part of the chassis number?

Thanks.

There should be a gap and then an O

Stuart.

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52 minutes ago, trchris said:

Hi Ali

Just checked mine it is the same as yours with no space and a zero instead of a space and a nought so I suppose I ought to send it back for correction wonder how many others are like this???

Chris

It has come up quite a few times over the years.

Stuart.

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Had a similar issue with the Stag - the document had it down with a D suffix rather than O - they had no issues changing to the correct letter when I pointed this out and sent a copy of ther Heritage certificate which had the correct details.

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Everybody 

of late we have had a couple of instances of the DVLA suspending V5 log books ,and of withdrawing the number . This has mostly done when a car has changed ownership or has been of the road for a long time , this has often been down to the fact that people have failed over time to inform the dvla via the changes section on the V5 . It is your responsibility to inform the dvla of all changes. This may also invalidate you insurance ,as in the case of a complete Rite off ! The cars numbers do not match the V5 and questions may be asked , for instance(  an engine change with different number may pose the question is it right for this car did the change alter the way the car handled , ultimately was it safe to be on the road) all places we do not want to be . As I said before any questions or help required contact me below.

graham 

V765@tr-register.co.uk

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  • 3 weeks later...

Update ....

I have recieved another letter from the DVLA, see attached. It basically says there was an agreement in the late 70s by ISO to exclude certain characters from VINs. They say it is an accepted practice to change 'I' to '1' and 'O' to '0' for an old chassis.

Having been IT consultant, and for many years specialising in data analysis and data modelling, I find this particularly irksome and a poor solution to a common problem - just another public sector IT bodge/failure - but, whatever, I have seen worse IT systems.

My only question now is whether I should ask them to simply delete the last '0' (which should be an 'O') as I do not believe it is necessarily part of the true chassis number. I assume it is not required to make the actual number unique - i.e. there is not another chassis out there with the same number as mine but no 'O'.

Or should I just let it go?

Chris (trchris): - any news on your attempt?

Ali.

DVLA Letter.jpg

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On 3/6/2022 at 7:10 PM, Ali King said:

Update ....

I have recieved another letter from the DVLA, see attached. It basically says there was an agreement in the late 70s by ISO to exclude certain characters from VINs. They say it is an accepted practice to change 'I' to '1' and 'O' to '0' for an old chassis.

Having been IT consultant, and for many years specialising in data analysis and data modelling, I find this particularly irksome and a poor solution to a common problem - just another public sector IT bodge/failure - but, whatever, I have seen worse IT systems.

My only question now is whether I should ask them to simply delete the last '0' (which should be an 'O') as I do not believe it is necessarily part of the true chassis number. I assume it is not required to make the actual number unique - i.e. there is not another chassis out there with the same number as mine but no 'O'.

Or should I just let it go?

Chris (trchris): - any news on your attempt?

Ali.

DVLA Letter.jpg

We have a similar issue at work with part numbers for aircraft spares. There is no ‘O’ only a ‘0’ and the same with ‘I’ and ‘1’. 

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All

I have received a call from one of my helpful contacts at the DVLA today regarding my query  and I was wrong in my above statement ! regarding the letter O  , they do have to use a Zero. However it can be spaced and they do hold on their historic internal records that the zero should be the letter O , so going forward that should not cause any owners a problem , I also have a confirmed reference to go to if we do have an issue .

graham

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Just checked mine, fortunately being originally LHD it has LO at the end of the commission number, however on my V5 it is shown as L0 with a zero, but at least the "L" does kind of seperate it from the rest.

Ralph

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