TessierAshpool
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 507
Club RR Member Number: 168
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Feb 15, 2020 12:36:23 GMT
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Hi all, I'm currently trying to register a moped that I bought late last year. It did not have a reg number on it, but I am told (and inclined to believe) that it has been UK registered at some point. I thought I'd take a punt on sending a V62 to DVLA and writing "unknown" in the reg number part to see if I got lucky. I didn't. This has now been returned and rejected (see pic), but at least they didn't cash the cheque What are my options from here? If possible I'd like to either get the original reg number back, or at least avoid a Q plate.
The vehicle is complete/restored and there's a test centre less than an hour's drive away so I could do as the letter asks, but would this lead to a Q plate?To fill in some blanks: - It's a Mecatecno Chic. Mectatecno were a fairly obscure Spanish brand that went bust some time in the 90s, I suspect it will be impossible to get a dating certificate from anyone.
- The bike would have been manufactured some time around 1979-1983ish.
- The bike shows lots of scuffing where a number plate would have been attached, and the dimensions seem more UK-sized than Spanish
- The frame number is visible. It's a very short number though of the format AA12345 i.e. not a VIN number
- I purchased it from someone who got it in a job lot of bikes and just wanted rid as he was more interested in some of the other bikes. When selling to me, he was contacted by the supposed former keeper who regaled him with him lots of stories of riding it with his kids etc, and claimed he might have the V5 in a box somewhere. Passing messages back and forth through the person I bought it from has been like pulling teeth though...
I hope someone can help!
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zeberdee
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 933
Club RR Member Number: 2
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Feb 15, 2020 13:21:16 GMT
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If it’s still on the system , a full HPI check will give you the reg number .
I think , but am not 100% sure , it has to be done through a motor trader ??
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TessierAshpool
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 507
Club RR Member Number: 168
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Feb 15, 2020 13:27:35 GMT
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If it’s still on the system , a full HPI check will give you the reg number . I think , but am not 100% sure , it has to be done through a motor trader ?? Thanks, possibly. I'm afraid that I don't know any traders personally though and I suspect that most traders won't entertain doing it for someone off the street.
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zeberdee
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 933
Club RR Member Number: 2
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Feb 15, 2020 13:51:55 GMT
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A trader can do it from just the chassis number .
I’m not sure you can do that with a normal HPI check ?? Think that needs both chassis & reg numbers .
As i said , not 100% sure , but something for you to look into .
Hope you get it sorted 👍
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Feb 15, 2020 17:08:29 GMT
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Did you send a covering letter saying why you didn't have the registration number as that is what is asking for now? If you didn't send a letter it would just go into the incomplete pile and be returned. The letter you have got is quite different to the ones I have had when they haven't been in the system which have said they searched but couldn't find a record and here are your options to register. I have a 2 Mecatecno's both non runners a kids Dragonfly 50 and my Skywalker they are in the long term project queue!! Have you tried the old UK importer for them - they only supposedly sold about 200 of certain models so the importer may still have a record of the original sale or be able to confirm if it was a UK bike. Edit Apologies I didn't realise it wasn't a competition bike, I don't know if they were ever imported officially. It might be worth messaging the guy who runs the retro trials website, he is a fountain of knowledge and may know who the importer for the road bikes was www.retrotrials.com/other-mecatecno-motorcycles.html
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Last Edit: Feb 15, 2020 17:13:34 GMT by dodgerover
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Feb 15, 2020 19:52:21 GMT
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TessierAshpool
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 507
Club RR Member Number: 168
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Feb 15, 2020 20:19:41 GMT
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Thanks, I think I might try and track down the importer, especially if it's looking like they will want proof of age. Your comment made me wonder if I should try submitting the form again with a cover letter and see how we go with that first. Not sure what I can say in the letter though other than the bike doesn't have the plate on. Cool that you've got a couple of Mecatecnos too I've heard from an online interview that the Chic was their attempt to diversify a bit - make the sales less dependent on the Christmas kid's bike rush. Even though the passion seemed to be trials bikes, I guess they needed something to pay the bills. It was a small bike with folding handlebars, much like the Honda monkey bikes. There always seem to be a few for sale in Spain so I guess they sold fairly well, here not so much! Here's a pic as it sits at the moment, and one from shortly after I got it:
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Feb 15, 2020 21:47:29 GMT
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Definitely send a covering letter even if it just says you believe it is registered but the number plate and logbook have been lost prior to your ownership as it was used round the field.
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TessierAshpool
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 507
Club RR Member Number: 168
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Feb 19, 2020 19:50:14 GMT
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Little update on this - letter has gone back to the DVLA with a cover letter, crossing fingers.
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Feb 19, 2020 21:10:43 GMT
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Should still be on the system if the frame number has been correctly recorded - a couple of my other trials bikes were taxed once when they were new in around 1978/ 1980 then never had another log book issued until I started applying from the frame numbers a few years ago
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TessierAshpool
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 507
Club RR Member Number: 168
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Well that didn't work - form returned again, they're claiming they don't have knowledge of the bike. May have to V55/5 it, although I need to put in some work first to try and see if I can get dating proof for it, using dodgerover 's info above. The saga continues...
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TessierAshpool
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 507
Club RR Member Number: 168
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Thanks, will send them a message. The article said that they got the Mecatecno import rights in 2011, this is about the time the name was revived as an electric-only manufacturer of child bikes (the original Mecatecno was dissolved in the 90s I think). However, as Jim Sandiford Ltd has been going since the 70s maybe they also had the original company's import rights, worth checking for sure.
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TessierAshpool
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 507
Club RR Member Number: 168
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TessierAshpool
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 507
Club RR Member Number: 168
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Mar 25, 2020 16:17:09 GMT
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Well good news in these times, retrotrials.com came through brilliantly, they were able to contact the original founder of Mecatecno and I now have a dating certificate. It's not in English, but that can be overcome. So now I need to wait out the Covid-19 lockdown so I can get an MOT and get my V55/5 in to DVLA.
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The dating evidence for my Van was in French and they returned it saying it had to be in English when I spoke to them on the phone after they had returned it. I used the online facility and they told me it could be translated by an authorised translator. It cost me £50 and they still rejected it with no explanation. I spoke to the guy in charge and he said it was because the certificate said it left the factory on xxxx date instead of built on xxxx date. I got there in the end though. The process is documented in my van thread. There’s also a handy link to filling in the form on there that someone kindly added.
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Last Edit: Mar 26, 2020 8:07:16 GMT by jonsey
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TessierAshpool
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 507
Club RR Member Number: 168
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The dating evidence for my Van was in French and they returned it saying it had to be in English when I spoke to them on the phone after they had returned it. I used the online facility and they told me it could be translated by an authorised translator. It cost me £50 and they still rejected it with no explanation. I spoke to the guy in charge and he said it was because the certificate said it left the factory on xxxx date instead of built on xxxx date. I got there in the end though. The process is documented in my van thread. There’s also a handy link to filling in the form on there that someone kindly added. Thanks - just read your thread, very cool little van Do you have any advice n whether I should NOVA it before I send the application in?
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Yes. Definitely nova it first as it’s just another excuse to reject. You really need to get all your sick in a row before applying or you’ll wait 2 weeks just to get it all returned to you with a letter that doesn’t really explain what the problem is. If you get any problems ask them on line so you can screenshot their answers
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TessierAshpool
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 507
Club RR Member Number: 168
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Yes. Definitely nova it first as it’s just another excuse to reject. You really need to get all your sick in a row before applying or you’ll wait 2 weeks just to get it all returned to you with a letter that doesn’t really explain what the problem is. If you get any problems ask them on line so you can screenshot their answers OK I'm on it, had a good trawl around NOVA and pretty sure I know the combination of options I need to make it happen. I know what you mean about the waiting and vague answers after the first two attempts with the V62! Thanks.
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Mar 26, 2020 12:08:21 GMT
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Someone on here may have a better idea than me as mine came with the Nova. However the date of manufacture was wrong on mine so I phoned the Nova people up and they were really really helpful and changed it no problem. It might be worth giving them a ring. You’ll probably just have to make it up.
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