Tech
restoration, the DVLA has a points system to
determine what keeps its original registration
number, and what doesn’t. Any vehicle has to
score eight points to retain its original identity,
and five of these must come from the original
body. The DVLA make it clear that this must
be either the original shell, or a new and
unmodified one direct from the manufacturer.
On top of these five, the original suspension
front and rear, the front and rear axles (which
we presume could be translated as the front
and rear subframes in the Mini’s case),
transmission and steering assembly are each
worth two points. The original engine is worth
one point. If the car fails to score eight points,
or if it’s using a second hand or altered shell,
the car will have to be subject to the relevant
type approval test, and if it passes, be given a
‘Q’ prefix registration number.
With the values of all Minis - but in
particular, the early cars - now hitting record
levels, full restorations of even the most
dilapidated cars are viable. Budgetted correctly,
the parts and labour required no longer
constitute more than the value of the finished
car. And thanks to British Motor Heritage and
companies such as M-Machine, your Mini can
be as good as the day it left the factory.Tech
restoration, the DVLA has a points system to
determine what keeps its original registration
number, and what doesn’t. Any vehicle has to
score eight points to retain its original identity,
and five of these must come from the original
body. The DVLA make it clear that this must
be either the original shell, or a new and
unmodified one direct from the manufacturer.
On top of these five, the original suspension
front and rear, the front and rear axles (which
we presume could be translated as the front
and rear subframes in the Mini’s case),
transmission and steering assembly are each
worth two points. The original engine is worth
one point. If the car fails to score eight points,
or if it’s using a second hand or altered shell,
the car will have to be subject to the relevant
type approval test, and if it passes, be given a
‘Q’ prefix registration number.
With the values of all Minis - but in
particular, the early cars - now hitting record
levels, full restorations of even the most
dilapidated cars are viable. Budgetted correctly,
the parts and labour required no longer
constitute more than the value of the finished
car. And thanks to British Motor Heritage and
companies such as M-Machine, your Mini can
be as good as the day it left the factory.