as dan says wont happen anytime soon and as chip says its not practical for older cars let alone banning it for new cars. all i can see is them adding a bit to the MoT saying that if modified componants are found for post 20xx cars then you may be required to prove type approval compliance. all that would happen is that modified componant manufacturers would submit one example of each product for testing and with every item sold issue a compliance certificate along with the instruction booklet. You then just show it to the MoT man.
or the product will have a "E" mark or sticker on the item itself to show compliance.
Still cant see it happening for at least the next 10 years.
Anyway there is no need for additional legislation at present. Mot inspectors have the power to refuse an MoT for anything that looks dangerous as it is. That should stop the gay "scene" and "stance" idiots with silly camber and excessively stretched tyres.
The regulations currently in force allow MoT inspectors to refuse an mot for incorrectly registered vehicles or anything that might fall under that legislation such as "radically altered vehicles", reshelled/rebuilt vehicles etc etc
the current rules just need to be more rigidly enforced.
many moderately modified vehicles could quite easily fall under the "radically altered vehicle" rules when you apply the "points system" for original componants.
When issuing a registration number for a radically altered vehicle the Driver and Vehicle licensing Agency (DVLA) use a points system.
To keep the original registration number your vehicle must have eight or more points. This must include the original or new and unmodified chassis, monocoque bodyshell or frame.
Your vehicle will need Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA), Single Vehicle Approval (SVA) or Motorcycle Single Vehicle Approval (MSVA) if:
it has less than eight points
it has a second hand or altered chassis, monocoque bodyshell or frame
there is evidence that two vehicles have been welded together to form one (eg ‘cut and shut’)
If your vehicle passes you will be able to register your vehicle and will be given a ‘Q’ registration number.
What points are given to what parts
Points are only given to the original major components used and are shown in the table below.
Chassis or monocoque bodyshell (body and chassis as one unit) (original or new*) 5 points
Suspension (front and back) 2 points
Axles (both) 2 points
Transmission 2 points
Steering assembly 2 points
Engine 1 points
*Direct replacement from the manufacturers
Where there is evidence that two vehicles have been welded together to form one (eg ‘cut and shut’) a ‘Q’ mark will be allocated. IVA, SVA or MSVA will be required.
Now a lightly modified car, even with uprated suspension, brakes and an engine swap would still be fine but you could quite easily end up needing an IVA on anything moderately modified.
eg lets take a escort cossie with modifications to make it a reasonable fast road/track day car.
rear axle swapped for 6 degree one or an MK wrc cradle,
coilovers
front axle changed with compression strut kit, adjustable TCA's etc.
engine rebuilt with new/seasoned 200 block to 450bhp spec.
oppliger or similar gear kit.
Such a car on the above points system would only score 7 points and need an IVA test.
You could try and argue that the box uses the original casing, the rear beam is based on an original beam etc etc etc but they could rightly ask for proof and could in theory be arsey about it even though those componants are not marked with a VIN and hence not easily age provable.
So even on such a cossie example there is scope to need an IVA.
another example, a cossie conversion. common place is to use a sierra floor and a shell from a focus/mk3 escort or whatever. Weld the 2 together and under the RAV/rebuilt definitions it becomes a "cut an shut" and is an automatic q plate.
Even a cossie conversion using the original shell with a fabricated tunnel falls foul of the points system. The points would be based on the original focus etc used. so new axles, new suspension, new engine, new steering etc in most cases. again should be IVA tested.
Only way round it is if the vehicle was modified before full integration of the SVA test and the exemptions expired. Before then you could have got away with just a inspection by a VOSA man and a SABTVR vin.
So that puts ALL cossie conversions using a second hand chassis on a Q plate.
Only way round it is to use a sierra cossie or similar as a donor vehicle and use a brand new (albeit modified) chassis to build the car up under the kit car rules and score enough points to gain an age related registration. In doing so you are issued a new VIN and are creating a new vehicle identity rather than rehashing an older car identity.
The cars would NOT be a ford technically. Eg you get AG to do you a cossie convertion on a new shell and in effect you are buying a "kit" from them and it should be called an "AG focus" or similar as you cant call it a "ford focus".
Manufacturers have been doing it for years for motorsport kit cars albeit the "kit" is supplied by ford so you can use the ford name. Examples include escort F2 kit cars, puma JWRC kit cars, IMTEC cossie pumas etc.
The key is you need a new chassis from someone/somewhere and a donor car to supply the necessary points for an age related id.
Of course you can make your own chassis in theory, eg AG motorsports mk2 focus was built as a custom spaceframe chassis and can be registered as is. The fact he used all new parts means he could have got a brand new registration had he IVA'd it.