If you are thinking about purchasing a kit car, there are three options available to you, buying a vehicle ready built, buying an unfinished project or purchasing the kit from the manufacturer direct. Here are some things to look out for.
If you decide to purchase a car already built, make sure that the registration document and the car match. If it looks like an MK Indy, but it says Dutton on the V5 document, then you are looking at a car that has been cloned. Cloning kit cars is almost certainly done to avoid the IVA (previously the SVA) test that all kit cars must pass before registering for the road. The test came in in 2000.
Building a kit
car and getting it on the road is not an easy undertaking. It is also
expensive, in terms of money and time. People often start building kit cars and
find that they are unable or unwilling to continue for one reason or another. They
are likely to offer the project for sale if this happens, probably on eBay.
Such abandoned projects can represent good savings over buying a kit direct
from the manufacturer. Be aware that corners may have been cut, and mistakes
may have been made. If this is the case, you will need to identify these and
rectify them before proceeding.
This is the most expensive way of acquiring a kit car. It is also the route that will take the longest. It can be a great deal more satisfying and provide you with far more choices than buying an already built or purchasing a part made car.
