Reshell registration considerations

[DaveJ]

I was interested in hearing about members' experiences regarding the registration details of reshelled cars. I'm trying to decide whether to repair or reshell my GTE. If I reshell with a non-GTE it looks like there are two paths that could be followed:

1. Take on the details/indentity of the donor car then transfer all the GTE bits. Then I'll have a modified base model that 'looks' like a GTE. I don't really like this idea as it's going to cause loads of trouble in obtaining insurance (although agreed value might be better).

2. Reshell the GTE with the donor then have the car tested by VOSA (a requirement if you use a second-hand shell). This seems fair enough (apart from the £400 charge!) but the outcome of a successful test it that you are issued with Q plates. Not keen in that.

It looks like these are the only official options and I don't really like either of them

[Dobbo]

would it not be a better idea to repair the original shall but if not reshell the car and put the original numberplates back on and carry on as normal still always best to take the car to your local MOT station to make sure the job you've done is safe and roadworthy

[Tricky]

If I were you I'd take the ID off the GTE and put it on your second-hand shell. If you legally own both cars it's hardly dodgy. It's not like you're changing the identity of a stolen car, is it? You'd tell the next owner if you ever sold it, right? And if you're not ever going to sell it, well, in my opinion there comes a point where this stops being a crime, and instead simply becomes nobody else's bloody business. That's how I'd look at it myself, theoretically, were I ever to walk this path.

[Ash]

It could be classed as "ringing" a car but tbh the Mk1 Astra has long since past the date where anyone did this once they stole it. They seem to be broken up for parts and never heard of again.

Get the VIN number cut out and welded in the new car with a TIG welder, with a quick flick of a grider, paint and underseal who will know? Apart from everyone on here if you tell them.

[Delmastiff]

I was going to do this when I bought WUX, re shell it as YMH but decided against in the end. If you do go that route, just keep it to yourself mate

[DaveJ]

Thanks for your thoughts guys.

Think I'll stick to my preferred option and restore my existing shell! While it seems a reasonable argument to swap the identity given that a) you own both vehicles and b) nobody really cares anymore (i.e. from the legal point of view), it doesn't really sit comfortably with me. If something happened where the car's provenance was brought into question then all sorts of problems could arise! Don't think that's for me. You'd think there would be different rules for older vehicles - but that would be far too sensible

[tuffty]

to be fair, unless your really lucky and have a very mint donor shell, then any mk1 is going to require work.
so by the time you've prepped the donor, then moved everything across from the gte, you are probably just as well restoring the gte to start with.