At the back of the build manual is a comprehensive guide to the registration process, including completed examples of the various forms used. Quantum stress the importance of starting the process early, in order to avoid frustrating delays at the end of the build.
On the 8th of May, I popped into the Bristol Vehicle Inspectorate testing station, to ask how much notice they need for an SVA test. Bob, the Acting Manager, informed me that the current minimum wait was 5 weeks, which should soon be reduced to 3 weeks, as 2 more SVA testers were currently being trained to start testing at the end of May. He thought that if I could give at least 4 weeks notice, I would be certain of getting the test on the day I asked for and he gave me a copy of form SVA1, the form used to apply for the SVA test.
After studying a calendar and the build manual, I decided to apply for a test at the beginning of July. This would give me a deadline to work to. If necessary, I could leave certain parts of the build, such as the interior trim, until after the test. I also had some holiday time left which I could take at short notice, if needed, to make sure that the car was ready in time. I sent off the form on the 12th of May, asking for a test on the morning of Tuesday, July the 4th - Quantum Independence Day, hopefully!
On the 18th of May, I received another form from the VI's head office in Swansea, asking me to declare if any components had been fitted to my chassis by Quantum or any other professionals working on my behalf. I ticked the box declaring that I had fitted all the parts myself and returned the form. Bob from the Bristol branch rang me on the 8th of June, to confirm that my Quantum Xtreme was booked in for a full SVA test at 8.00am on Tuesday July the 4th - just as I had requested! He reminded me that the car should have a full tank of fuel, that I should bring a complete toolkit with me and that the car must be insured (using the chassis number for identification) if I intended to drive the car to and from the test station.
With the SVA test booked, I phoned the Bristol Vehicle Registration Office on June the 9th and spoke to Dean, who deals with the registering of kit cars. He said he would send me the necessary forms (V627/1 and V55/5) and start a file for my car's paperwork. I received the forms the next day and filled them out with the guidance of Quantum's examples. Form V627/1 is the build-up report. It is used to declare if the various major components are new or from a donor car or cars, to list the serial numbers of the engine and chassis and to state if receipts are available. This information is used to determine whether the finished car will have a current-year registration, an age-related registration, or a Q prefix. Form V55/5 is the application form for a first registration and licence. It gives the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency the necessary information for the V5 registration document, such as chassis and engine numbers, seating capacity, wheelplan, type of fuel and so on.
Dean phoned me at work on the 13th. He thought my application would be very straightforward, as I had used a single donor car and because I had a receipt and the V5 document for the donor. He said that the VRO's local inspector would be contacting me soon, to inspect the Quantum to check that the chassis and engine numbers I had given were correct. The inspector would also need to see a New Body Certificate from Quantum verifying that the chassis was brand new and the receipt and V5 for the Sierra. I phoned Brenda at Quantum and a New Body Certificate and an insurance application form arrived the next morning.
The Inspector, Dave, rang me on the 15th of June and arranged to come and see the car on the 20th at 9.00am, just before he went on holiday for 2 weeks! When he arrived on the 20th, Dave first checked the chassis and engine numbers, then, as the car was still up on stands, he had a quick look at the gearbox and rear diff, to see if they "vaguely resemble that of a Sierra". Apparently, the VRO get a lot of false declarations from people wanting to avoid a Q prefix and Dave said it was not uncommon for a car to have, for example, a Rover engine, Ford Sierra gearbox, Ford Cortina suspension and a Ford Escort rear axle, allegedly all from a single donor car! He took the New Body Certificate, the invoice for the kit and the Sierra's V5 and receipt (I kept photocopies of ALL documents). He told me that after the car had passed its MOT and SVA tests, I would need to bring the MOT certificate, the Minister's Approval Certificate, a certificate of insurance and a cheque for £180 to the Bristol VRO. Dean would then issue a tax disc and registration number while I waited.
The other thing to be arranged was the insurance. The application form Brenda had sent me already had some sections filled in and some guide notes written in pencil. I believe Quantum have an arrangement with insurance brokers Footman James for a subsidised first year rate. A compliment slip from Quantum, with notes for Footman James' staff, was also included, to be sent with the application form. The premium for the first year was only £128.10! This was for comprehensive cover, unlimited mileage, with 5 named drivers. I included my sister Judith, friends Paul and Greg and neighbour Rod. We're all over 35, with clean driving licences, but that's still a very good rate! I sent the application form on Monday the 12th of June and received a cover note on the following Wednesday. The cover note came into effect from the morning of June the 24th, and was valid for 60 days, which should cover the MOT test, the SVA test and any necessary retests. 2 weeks later, I received another form from Footman James, asking me to advise them of the registration number, as soon as I had one. (The cover note used the Quantum's chassis number). After the car was registered, I completed and returned the form and 2 days later I received the certificate of motor insurance. Very impressive service.
After the car successfully passed the MOT and SVA tests, I took the requested paperwork and payment to the VRO. As promised, Dean promptly issued a tax disc and an age-related registration number. He also gave me back the invoice from Quantum that Dave had taken. A week later, I received the Quantum's V5 from the DVLA. In kit car magazines and on other builders' web sites, I've read of people's bad experiences with their local VROs. Perhaps I was just lucky, or maybe the agencies have improved recently, but I had no problems at all with the whole registration process.