HCVA gets useful
New schemes aim to improve life for enthusiasts with projects
The Historic and Classic Vehicles Alliance (HCVA) has initiated two schemes aimed squarely at improving the ownership experience of those with ongoing classic projects or anyone wishing to establish a car’s identity.
The first is a whistleblowing service, a hotline for anyone who has received faulty or inadequate parts. The scheme is anonymous and will provide HCVA, its trade members, and the wider industry, with a clear view as to the number of faulty parts out there and potentially their source. ‘This is not about pointing fingers,’ Guy Lachlan of the HCVA told PC, ‘it is about getting a clear view of this crucial issue and then helping to steer consumers and specialists towards good sources.’
The second scheme involves classic vehicle identity and how to establish it with a car that has been off the road, and off-grid as far as the DVLA is concerned, for a number of years. ‘So many projects exist without paperwork or up to date log books,’ Guy said. ‘HCVA will provide guidance on how to get it all sorted and also establish a first step on the road to identity with our own standardised certification for registering that an unregistered car exists, for example if it's an imported car awaiting restoration or has simply been off the road since before V5s were a thing. It carries no official weight, but is just intended to support a future V5 application.' It's a chargeable service, with an option to have an HCVA affiliate provide independent verification: ‘We hope this will aid both the DVLA and owners in establishing a classic’s correct ID,’ said Guy. To find out more about both schemes and the other work being undertaken by HCVA, visit hcva.co.uk