depends on the inspector. letter of the law they may classify the new shell as modified and hence Q but some can be good. eg my car was new shell and i ended up going down SVA route to keep a ID and get a DVLA issued VIN number. The arguement used was that the shell was purchased from DJM as a brand new shell and hence was not "modified" as it came like that you and i know that DJM dont manufacture complete shells and would have bought in a new shell from ford first but the DVLA guy was prepared to accept it and it was enough to get registered.

So yes you can get away with it sometimes but dont go down that route if you want to avoid the aggro.