Changing DVLA vehicle description

InsideInsurance

My car comes with one of 4 engines. On the first 2 there is (or more accurately was) a "sports pack" that you could add to it where as the second 2 have the sports pack as standard

As standard the cars with the lower engines but the sports pack added would be described on the DVLA records as "Sport" but for some reason for about 6 months they stopped doing this (though vehicle selectors still show it as a viable option). Now all cars come with the sports pack and all are described as sport as

Evidently its not a major issue but for the few insurers that want manufacturer fitted extras declared it means I have to (a) list the 15 or so things the sports pack does and (b) admit it has both lowered suspension and changed transmission which pushes the price up a fair bit.

If I could get the vehicle description changed to "sport" then these dont need to be declared. Having done quotes using the vehicle selector instead of vehicle reg the price comes out the same for the sport and non-sport version without mods.

How do you go about "correcting" the details with DVLA?

OnanTheBarbarian

I think it is one of those things where you could send the V5 off with a corrected description on and they just change it.

Certainly, from my experience of classic BMW's, there are no shortage of old E30 BMW 325i's with the word "sport" on the V5 when the vehicle is not a genuine sport, meaning that a previous owner will have just sent the V5 over to DVLA and they have added the word "sport" to the vehicle model.

AdrianC

Sounds like they weren't "fitted extras", but part of the standard spec - so no need to declare. Or, if you think you must, just say "It has the optional sport pack".

InsideInsurance

AdrianC wrote: »

Sounds like they weren't "fitted extras", but part of the standard spec - so no need to declare. Or, if you think you must, just say "It has the optional sport pack".

At the time they were fitted extras as part of a "pack". Of cause insurers then want to know what it comprised of and then have concerns over lowered suspension and adjusted transmission.

OnanTheBarbarian wrote:

Certainly, from my experience of classic BMW's, there are no shortage of old E30 BMW 325i's with the word "sport" on the V5 when the vehicle is not a genuine sport, meaning that a previous owner will have just sent the V5 over to DVLA and they have added the word "sport" to the vehicle model.

This is my confusion because there has never been a sport version in the lower two engines. There has always, up until 2 months after I got mine, an optional sports pack which almost everyone took. In the 2014 model it is no longer an option but fitted as standard and you cannot get the vehicle without it.

Hence I am assuming that the other cars described as "sport" with my engine size are simply those that added the optional sports pack.

OnanTheBarbarian

You mean you didn't go for the V8, shameful

InsideInsurance

OnanTheBarbarian wrote: »

You mean you didn't go for the V8, shameful

There are two V8s and only the larger of the two had no option but to have the sports kit. The larger one did/does have an optional sports+ kit though

SteveJW

In my experience the description on the V5 is what the dealer first registering the vehicle entered. I have received many V5s (at work) where the description is wrong / miss spelt or for a model that doesn't exist ie Peugeot Mondeo
Just send off the appropriate part of the V5 with the corrections and possibly a covering letter. It's a lot more difficult now they have closed the local DVLA offices

AdrianC

SteveJW wrote: »

It's a lot more difficult now they have closed the local DVLA offices

From previous experience of changing body type on a V5C, it's far _easier_ now they've got shot of the incompetent muppets in local offices...
A _year_ of fannying about backwards and forwards - largely because they were incapable of writing to me at the address on the V5C itself. Sorted in one phone call to Swansea once they closed that local office.

InsideInsurance

Well, "quick" phone call to them and was initially told that I need to send a letter with Part 7 and evidence from the manufacturer of what the correct model is.

Challenged them over the manufacturer part or did they really mean deal and/ or UK importer. They said they are sure its a letter from the actual manufacturer and no one else they'll accept but would go away and check.

Came back 2 minutes later saying actually, just send a letter saying its wrong and they'll change it. No need for any evidence.

molerat

My car came with an "optional upgrade pack" but you would have had to special order / specify and wait for the car to come off the line without the "option" !