Hi Stephen,
Sorry to read about the Lambretta frame number problems.
My views are as follows. Other peoples would differ on action they may take:
When buying a Lambretta, if a V5C is available, this is normally checked against the Lambretta and if there are any discrepancies, these would normally be questioned and a decision made on if you continued to purchase it. However, it can be easy to forget to check common items like the frame and engine number against the V5C due to the excitement of picking up the purchase or being lost in conversation with the seller and forgetting to do so. It is also unfortunate that the seller did not inform you that the frame number had been welded over in either the item description on the Car and Classic website, or before you parted with your money.
The Car and Classics website also offer advice for buyers (Search online for “car and classic fraud warning”) and if you decide to return the Lambretta, they may also be contacted using the information at the bottom of their website page if you have any problems in this area.
My summary:
If it were me, I would return the Lambretta back to the seller and request a refund. If you decide to keep it, here is a list of some things that you need to take into consideration:
- There is no evidence of the frame number anywhere on the Lambretta. Motorcycles are being stolen all the time, so if you get pulled over, the Police can not inspect the frame number and may question the weld over the frame number. It is unclear what action they may then take, without you providing a suitable explanation.
- If you have an accident, it is not clear what the insurance company would do if they were not able to tally up the frame number with the log book. Note: A simple black plate with these details on would probably not be suitable as Li’s have it stamped on the frame in a common area and an insurance person would know this. If they see weld over it, this would put the frame into question and may make either the insurance void, or require further investigation, before a payout or claim could be settled.
- Many people would not buy a Lambretta supplied with weld over the frame number, so it may prove difficult to resell in the future.
- The engine number is listed as a 150 and the DVLA have it listed as a 200. This may be a simple case that it had a top end replacement or was bored out and the person informed the DVLA that it had been upgraded. The V5C should be cross checked in this area (Engine number matches V5C) and if it matches and you were happy with the 150 to 200 upgrade, that’s not a problem.
- Given the engine replacement or upgrade and possible frame replacement, you should check the .GOV.UK website and confirm that the Lambretta still meets the guidelines for being MOT exempt (Search online “vehicles-of-historical-interest-substantial-change-guidance”), in your opinion. If an MOT is now required, difficulty may be experienced in this area, as there is no frame number to check on the frame.
- If the law ever changes and historic vehicles require an MOT, you may not be able to get one with ease as the frame number has weld over it.
- Note: The colour is not important and is a simple case of updating the V5C with the DVLA
Other notes:
A receipt of purchase normally includes: Seller & Buyers Name & Address + contact number / Price Paid / Date / Frame Number / Engine Number & in your case the Car And Classic reference number, to refer back to (Or e-bay/ gum tree reference number if purchased from this source for example) and signed by both people.
I can see the Lambretta is currently not SORN. If you keep it and are restoring it, please remember to SORN it as soon as possible. Alternatively, get insurance on it. If insuring, you may want to explain that the frame number has weld over it and see if this has any impact in insurance as they may refuse to insurance you. If you keep it, I would be interested to know what insurance company you approached and if they agreed to insure you with weld over the frame.
I hope that this is of some help and all goes well with either the return or the restore.
All the best
John
Lambretta Journey
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