If there's no paperwork then there's no numbers to match the car?

If there's no numbers on the car then how can the paperwork not match? I don't understand why you'd go through any hassle anyway, I'd just refit the chassis and engine numbers if I'd changed the engine and chassis. I can't be arsed with dealing with any grief over non matching numbers just because I'd stuck another engine in or rebuilt it on a new chassis.[/quote]

You have an engine number and chassis number on every car manufactured, Citroen 'should' be able to give you a build date from these numbers which would allow DVLA to allocate an age related plate to that vehicle. They will only give it a reg number if the numbers stated in the manufacturers letter are both present and unadulterated on the vehicle when presented at DVLA. No engine and chassis number or no letter of authentication no registration number...
If there are no numbers on the car it is obviously not as manufactured and DVLA will not give it an age related plate, it will get a Q plate at best or have to be tested as a kit car.
This of course only applies if you want to do it legally

I didn't think it was illegal to fit a vin plate if it was missing? You can buy them on ebay usually.

just ebay?!

I don't know what papers Spanners had but my van has an age related plate ( and owner related- CAU IOIH/ caution) but I did have to buy a blank vin plate off ecas and stamp it for the mot, anyway my point I suppose is ask Spanners especially as he's doing it soon, sorry if it's been mentioned I only skip read the thread

I don't think it is illegal, I only wanted to point out that DVLA would probably not approve it as original and so not give it an age related plate, however if someone wants to go the expense of re-chassis etc and then take the chance that it will be OK, that would be their own risk.
DVLA would only want to see the car if you had no grey card / reg document - that's my experience anyway.
I thought we were asked for our experience and advise.........

Good luck if you want to bring a car or van over Sam.

what'ya got in mind sam?

There's a difference between replacing a missing/damaged plate with a chain of paperwork behind it and just rocking up with little paperwork and no identity...

The Solex2200 was an interesting one to UK register - they didn't ever have any frame number, only an engine number. And, of course, no French paperwork, since it'd never been registered here.

All I needed was to send a brass rubbing of the engine number to the club, with a couple of beer tokens, and take it along to a DVLA inspection when asked. There were some minor VAT misunderstandings, but nothing serious.

Is that how you got Ellie up stairs then, come and have a look at me brass rubbings, you old snake

Nah, that was just alcohol

I'm very grateful for this thread because, as usual, I've made absolutely no effort to find out what I have to do about bringing the Ami back!

Mind you, that doesn't worry me as much as taking the Bijou over........ After all, Je ne parle pas Francais!