I sent off to DVLA a while back for to get the list of previous keepers of my car and have just had the reply come back. I have to say I am very pleased with the amount of information DVLA have provided me with as it is far more than I was expecting.

In addition to the list of keepers going back to its first registration in July 1957, I now have photocopies of all the registration documents that were surrendered over the years, including the original card document issued with the car on first registration and eventually surrendered in 1967.

This latter has been particularly interesting as having acquired the car with no paper records and almost no anecdotal history, I can now see that the car was registered and lived in Romford until 1962 at which point it moved with its original owner down to Paignton in Devon. It also gives me the original engine number and shows that it was replaced in August 1972 with the engine that remained with the car until about three years ago.

The car stayed with the original owner until 1978 at which point it was passed to his son and then moved back to Essex. It stayed in Essex with its second owner for the next 25 years until 2003 when it was bought by our very own Stu, after which it quickly went through a succession of owners, loosing its original number plate along the way, until I bought it last year.

As I intend to keep this car for the long term, it is great to be able to start to put together some of its history and build up a picture of the life it has had. I have written to the second owner in the hope that he might be able to tell me a little more about the history of the car – wouldn’t it be great if he still had some documentation or photos?! I can live in hope.

Anyway, if anyone else is thinking of sending off to DVLA I can certainly recommend it, it has certainly been worthwhile for me.

Mike 😎

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Hi Mike,
Is there any particular department you need to aim your enquiry at or is just DVLA? I thought they wouldn't release information these days because of data protection laws. I remember a few years ago I enquired about a particular car of mine and they just sent a photocopy of the original green log-book and I think there was a fee of £5. I've found out where my '55 oval was registered and who the first owner was but the rest of its life is a blank. It would be great to find out where it's been these last 54 years.
Cheers,
Andy.

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Hi Andy

https://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/OwningAVehicle/AdviceOnKeepingYourVehicle/DG_4022067  and then download the pdf form under the "previous keeper details for your vehicle" about two thirds of the way down the page.

It took a long time to come through but now that it has, it was well worth the wait.

Mike :wink:

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I am going to try it, what did you sight as 'reasonable cause' for them to release names though?

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Hi Anna

I just mentioned that it was an historic vehilcle and I was keen to gather as much information about its history as I could.

Seemed to do the trick. :d

Mike

ps: remember, if Owen ever wants to sell that number plate... :wink:

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Mike, its seems that your car has had a new registration in its life. On the V888 form did you put down its previous original reg or its current one?

I am about to fill out the form and I am unsure where the put "NFO 566", its current reg, or "182 PG" its original reg! :?

Any help would be greatly appreciated as I only have history for mine from '93 ish (when the OG plate was sold, now on a Range Rover!) :lol: :lol:

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I made the enquiry stating the current plate but making a note of the original plate in one of the comment boxes - can't remember which. The majority of the copies of original card documents etc. that they sent me referrred to the original plate so they had no problem follwing it through.

Good luck with yours and let us know what you get back from DVLA.

Mike :wink:

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Thanks and will do! :wink:

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