Changing engine number on V5

theone8181 · 13 Oct 2021 at 06:18

So as some of you know, I had a new engine fitted in my M3 (fortunately under warranty). I sent off the paperwork (in July!) and have only just received a response along the li es of we need evidence :rolleyes:

. I sent in what stratsyone told me was all that was needed to change the number (although they wouldn't tell me the actual number, and I'm not sure it was on the sheet but they said it was fine). Has anyone ever gone through this process before as it seems a complete ballache. I'm wanting to sell the car before Christmas, but not sure if this will get resolved in time. I've emailed both dvla and stratestone so will see what happens, but it feels like I'm banging my head against a wall.

Hades · 13 Oct 2021 at 08:27

Sorry I've not got direct experience. But have you tried calling DVLA and speaking to someone?

0300 790 6802

or webchat: https://contact.dvla.gov.uk/vehicles

theone8181 · 13 Oct 2021 at 08:29

I'll give it a go later, my experience is that they're not exactly competent or fast.

Greebo · 13 Oct 2021 at 09:41

DVLA are mainly still all working from home atm (covid) and are a pain in the ****. trying to speak to the right person is neigh on impossible and postal corresdanpace is taking up to 2 months to get a reply. Ive been trying to deal with an issue since March and still havent resolved it.

Jokester · 13 Oct 2021 at 09:54

DVLA must be massively understaffed, plus they were striking a while back as well I think? I moved home in June and only heard back about my driving license update last week.

Oddly enough, getting the V5s on the cars updated with the new address only took a couple of weeks.

Greebo · 13 Oct 2021 at 09:58

Jokester said:
DVLA must be massively understaffed, plus they were striking a while back as well I think? I moved home in June and only heard back about my driving license update last week.

Oddly enough, getting the V5s on the cars updated with the new address only took a couple of weeks.

Their unions have advised all their members to keep working from home until further notice which really isnt helping things, especially if you want/need to speak to a person to sort things out.

ANything automatic or online seems to be done really quick as people arent involved. ANything like engine changes are a nightmare.

I wanted to correct an error on a vehicles paperwork last year and ended up having to complete a form for an IVA inspection so they could verify the details. Took months to sort out.

EddScott · 13 Oct 2021 at 10:01

Can't help but is it a legal requirement to update the V5?

Had the engine changed in our Mini a few years ago and haven't updated the V5. It's been in the family since new and won't be sold on.

Greebo · 13 Oct 2021 at 10:06

EddScott said:
Can't help but is it a legal requirement to update the V5?

Had the engine changed in our Mini a few years ago and haven't updated the V5. It's been in the family since new and won't be sold on.

No idea but DVLA say

You must update your V5C if you change any of the following:
colour
engine
cylinder capacity (cc)
fuel type
chassis or bodyshell (replaced or modified)
seating capacity
weight of a large vehicle, eg goods vehicle or campervan

Not sure is "must" means its a legal requirement but I would assume so?

VaderDSL · 13 Oct 2021 at 10:36

Someone on the Ford forums I visit had a warranty engine replacement recently. They asked about updating the V5 etc and was informed, at least in the case of Ford, that warranty engines come blank and get re stamped by the dealer with the old engine number. Might be something similar with other manufacturers?

theone8181 · 13 Oct 2021 at 11:01

VaderDSL said:
Someone on the Ford forums I visit had a warranty engine replacement recently. They asked about updating the V5 etc and was informed, at least in the case of Ford, that warranty engines come blank and get re stamped by the dealer with the old engine number. Might be something similar with other manufacturers?

Not sure. I've managed to get the invoice (16 grands worth :eek:

) and forwarded it to an email I've got for the dvla for my caseworker but no idea how long they will take.

theone8181 · 13 Oct 2021 at 19:19

I'm going to email bmw direct as stratestone keep telling me they can't tell me the number. How bad would it be if I plead ignorance and thought it was the same number?