1098 emissions

[GeorgeHurst]

Hi all,

I have been given a Morris van which I intend to do a few modifications to, which under the VOSA rules, which they have only decided to enforce after 27 years - grrrrrr , will have to have a SVA Goods Vehicle test. I've had a chat to the ACE today and they were exceoptionally helpful and confirmed that I definitely will need and SVA Goods test if I go ahead with the mods I have planned.

The ACE filled me in on what is needed to pass the test and the only really major / expensive / difficult thing is that self adjusting brakes must be fitted, so discs are in order.

The thing that concerns me is that I would end up on a Q plate (with ghastly yellow and black plates ) and would have to pay road tax. I've looked at my MOT for details of the emissions of a 1098 engine, but it just says 'visual test' and doesn't give a figure. Does anyone have an idea of the 1098 emissions so I can work out what I am looking at in terms of road tax?

Any ideas gratefully received, Cheers
George

[Dean]

Before mine was given historic status, the DVLA website said £150 to renew my tax and mine is down as an 803!!

[GeorgeHurst]

Cheers Dean, that doesn't bode well I can only guess a 1098 would be a class or two higher than an 803 so that's looking at about £200!
I really don't understand why they need to Q plate anything slightly moddified (well actually I do understand but I object completely to their reasons! Bureaucrats )

[bmcecosse]

You really really don't want to get a Q plate - or go through the many hoops of the test. Just get the van up and running as a Historic Vehicle - get it an MOT and get the free tax. Then gently do the modifications one at a time - as long as they are not 'major' there won't be a problem.

[GeorgeHurst]

Well you see, there in lies the rub - I want to cut the back down into a pick up as I am actually going to be using it as a commercial vehicle and a pick up is so much more practical (i.e. getting 8x4 sheets in, stuff of a forklift etc)
The SVA Goods test (obviously only applicable to LCVs, and being phased out in favour of BIVA in Oct 2011) actually doesn't seem too tricky to get through - its a pretty basic test, but its the Q plate that bothers me and the rise in insurance and tax that this brings.

I'm coming to the conclusion that keeping it as a van is probably the most sensible option, and then looking at something along the lines of a roof rack for large items.

Just ruddy depressing all this lark - dreams of V8 powered BL cars are being quashed as I write ha

[IaininTenbury]

It was my understanding that as you could have bought a chassis cab to build your own body on, the same applied now with Minor LCVs. The base vehicle, chassis or bodyshell (cab) isn't being altered so no need for any special tests, and you could send off the V5 with a change of bodystyle (if you're being dilligent) and thats it... Hope things haven't changed too much
However, if you're doing major body alterations, cutting and modifying the chassis or shell thats a different matter.

Having now had a look at the DVLA website, the SVA rules for light goods and passenger vehicles appear to apply to vehicles up to ten years old.
So a simple nuts and bolts job of unbolting the van body and fitting a custom made flat bed, for eg, wouldn'tcause any problems.

[GeorgeHurst]

Hi Iain,
That's what I was hoping but Kev at ACE confirmed to me that despite having a chassis the Minor LCVs are considered monocoques because the cab is welded to the chassis in places and the suspension is fixed to the bulkhead (dampers).
He did mention that if I were using a brand new chassis and then putting old an old cab and back on it then different rules would apply, because all this lark is only relevant when you are 'changing the identity of the vehicle from its original state'.
Interesting point on the V5 though as if it turns out the van doesn't have one when I get it then maybe I can just register it as a pick up like you say.
Keeping it as a van isn't the end of the world, it's just that a pick up would be more practical for me.
Cheers
George

[Kevin]

I've looked at my MOT for details of the emissions of a 1098 engine, but it just says 'visual test' and doesn't give a figure.

You wont find one George as the engine was made before any emission controls existed and by visual test it just means to check for smoking not an exact figure.

[GeorgeHurst]

Ah, thanks Kevin. That interesting as part of the SVA Goods test is an emissions test which is based on the proven age of the engine, so I guess it would just pass that immediately as there are no figures to compare to

[bmcecosse]

As long as it's not visibly smoking!

You can easily make some kind of side rack to carry 8 x 4 sheets standing up alongside the van side - as the glass vans have . Avoid the Q plate at all costs. And for the 'self adjusting' brakes - that may apply at the rear too - so a different axle required...... Is it really all worth it ??

[chickenjohn]

Hi all,

I have been given a Morris van which I intend to do a few modifications to, which under the VOSA rules, which they have only decided to enforce after 27 years - grrrrrr , will have to have a SVA Goods Vehicle test. I've had a chat to the ACE today and they were exceoptionally helpful and confirmed that I definitely will need and SVA Goods test if I go ahead with the mods I have planned.

The ACE filled me in on what is needed to pass the test and the only really major / expensive / difficult thing is that self adjusting brakes must be fitted, so discs are in order.

The thing that concerns me is that I would end up on a Q plate (with ghastly yellow and black plates ) and would have to pay road tax. I've looked at my MOT for details of the emissions of a 1098 engine, but it just says 'visual test' and doesn't give a figure. Does anyone have an idea of the 1098 emissions so I can work out what I am looking at in terms of road tax?

Any ideas gratefully received, Cheers
George

Just don't modify the car that much! Don't cut the body about and the car will remain historic! Otherwise you will be in for a lot of expense and hassle and will have ruined what was once a classic car. Why will it need a Q plate if the car still has its 1098CC engine??

[chickenjohn]

-snip-
I'm coming to the conclusion that keeping it as a van is probably the most sensible option, and then looking at something along the lines of a roof rack for large items.
-snip-

AHA

If the Minor is already a van then just keep it as a van otherwise you will also be destroying the value of the car.

Why not buy a cheap modern pickup to run as your business vehicle for 8x4s?? and have the van sign written and use for when you don't need to move such big items.

Or buy a Minor pickup.

[faversham999]

Get it up and running the change things to how u want it who will know only u

[GeorgeHurst]

Thank you all for the comments, I've decided a Q plate is a major pain in the backside, so I'm just going to leave it as a van and try and sort out some roof rack system. It's not the be-all and end-all having a pick up, it would just be more handy, but a van can still fit alot more in it than a 2 door saloon so it is better than where I am right now! And like you say John at some point if I absolutely MUST have a pick up then I'll just go and get some cheap modern one.
Cheers
George

[bmcecosse]

Hurrah! Common sense prevails.........

[GeorgeHurst]

Still a shame though that such a simple and structurally uncompromising modifcation would lead to a complete reclassification of the vehicle

[Fingolfin]

Disregarding the question of keeping it a van -- which, granted, was pretty interesting -- I'd still like to know what the emissions of a Morris Minor are! How does one test such a thing?.........aside from firing it up in a closed garage, then testing the air?

[IaininTenbury]

Hi Iain,
That's what I was hoping but Kev at ACE confirmed to me that despite having a chassis the Minor LCVs are considered monocoques because the cab is welded to the chassis in places and the suspension is fixed to the bulkhead (dampers).
He did mention that if I were using a brand new chassis and then putting old an old cab and back on it then different rules would apply, because all this lark is only relevant when you are 'changing the identity of the vehicle from its original state'.
Interesting point on the V5 though as if it turns out the van doesn't have one when I get it then maybe I can just register it as a pick up like you say.
Keeping it as a van isn't the end of the world, it's just that a pick up would be more practical for me.
Cheers
George

Well the cab shouldn't be welded to the chassis in any place, (24 bolts including seat belt mounts and handbrake if I remember correctly) but I see what you mean about the upper suspension mount being involved. You'd still argue that it dosn't involve the rear body though - I once took a pickup for an MOT test with no rear body (rear body was still in the spray booth drying and it was a cunning use of my time rather than watching paint dry...) with just some temp lights zip tied onto the back crossmember - no cab back or anything, just had to keep the spare seat belt end out of the prop shaft.
I did ask if I could have the test for half price as I'd only brought half the vehicle, but that was probably testing the testers humour a little! Came away with a pass though.

[IaininTenbury]

Disregarding the question of keeping it a van -- which, granted, was pretty interesting -- I'd still like to know what the emissions of a Morris Minor are! How does one test such a thing?.........aside from firing it up in a closed garage, then testing the air?

You could take it to an MOT tester and ask to have it tested on their machine, or I believe that Gunson produce a home emission testing meter.

[bmcecosse]

When I first took my Traveller for an MOT - they did put it on their emissions machine. I pointed out no such test was applicable - they said "don't worry - it passed" ! It should give same emissions as 998 Mini engines - whatever that figure is !