Although I know that insurers and bdyshops have, in the past, transferred the VIN number into a new shell, please trust me as someone who is doing this, that you DON'T get to keep the original VIN number just by having a brand new shell to put it in. Ford's service shells don't have a VIN number in them from the factory, just a consignment plate on the slam panel that specifies the model etc.

My car is using a brand new shell, and all the mechanical parts from the donor so qualifies under the points scheme. DVLA have issued a new VIN number and, once it is stamped in and the separate metal plate rivited to the slam panel, I'm off for my SVA test on 27 April. Assuming it passes, I'll either get the original REGISTRATION number, or be allocated a new AGE-RELATED registration. They choose which, though I'm hoping for the latter.