The latter mate.
I've spent a good while today trawling the net (including DVLA) and there's nothing, absolutely nothing about any change in the rule about no grandfather rights. Worthwhile trawl though, re-learned lots of stuff I'd forgotten about.
This is a direct crib from the government MSVA guide....
"THE MOTORCYCLE SINGLE VEHICLE
APPROVAL (MSVA) SCHEME
What is the Motorcycle Single Vehicle Approval Scheme?
The Motorcycle Single Vehicle Approval (MSVA) scheme is a pre-registration inspection for
mopeds, motorcycles, three wheelers and quadricycles that have not been type-approved to
European standards. The main purpose of the scheme is to ensure that these vehicles have
been designed and constructed to modern safety and environmental standards before they can
be used on public roads. The scheme entered into force on the 08 August 2003.
Why do we need MSVA?
MSVA checks that vehicles constructed for non-European Economic Area markets comply with
British law. Even vehicles outwardly similar to European-specification models, but intended for
other markets, can often be unsuitable for use in Britain without at least some modification. (For
further information on importing a vehicle see the Department’s leaflet PI5 ‘How to Import your
Vehicle into Great Britain’). MSVA recognises certain non-European technical standards as
acceptable alternatives to the MSVA requirements.
MSVA also checks that the construction of amateur-built vehicles, rebuilt vehicles and vehicles
using parts from a previously registered vehicle meet modern safety and environmental
standards. It also provides an alternative to type approval for vehicles manufactured in very
low volume.
What vehicles are within the scope of MSVA?
(a) two wheeled mopeds and motorcycles,
(b) three wheeled vehicles, and;
(c) light four wheeled vehicles.
Will MSVA affect you?
Generally, your vehicle will need to be approved under the MSVA scheme and issued with a Minister’s Approval Certificate (MAC) if it is up to 10 years old and is not covered byl EC type approval (or similar national approval from another European Economic Area Member State that is equivalent to the technical requirements of GB Single Vehicle Approval).
MSVA will be applied to the following :
an amateur built vehicle
a vehicle manufactured in very low volume
a vehicle manufactured using parts of a registered vehicle
a rebuilt vehicle (mandatory if first licensing and registration required)
an imported vehicle without type approval.
The above categories are defined in Appendix 1
.
DVLA may also require radically altered vehicles and rebuilt vehicles to be examined
The important part for us (as homebuilders) is "an amateur built vehicle"......and THAT includes Reliant ringers because they don't have EC type approval. Never have and never will.
The only possible loophole I can find...and you can read this how you will, is in the exemptions list. It does read that any PLG veh over ten years old is exempt from the test.
"2. Exemptions from vehicle approval
You don’t need vehicle approval for:
heavy goods vehicles (more than 3,500kg maximum weight) over 25 years old
light goods vehicles (3,500kg maximum weight or less) over 10 years old
cars and minibuses with 8 passenger seats or less (not including the driver) over 10 years old
buses, coaches and minibuses with more than 8 passenger seats (not including the driver) built by a single manufacturer before 29 July 2010
buses, coaches and minibuses with more than 8 passenger seats (not including the driver) with different body and chassis manufacturers, made before 29 July 2011
tracked vehicles, eg a vehicle that runs on tracks rather than wheels
vehicles designed and constructed for use on construction sites, quarries, ports and airports
vehicles designed and constructed for and used by the armed services, fire and rescue forces, or used in maintaining public order"
So if your a ringer owner and your trying to be a bit clever, maybe you think that excuses you the test. Except it doesn't, because you've radically altered the veh' it'll still need an MSVA test.
Radically altered vehicles then......
"DVLA uses a points system to decide what registration number to give a radically altered vehicle.
Keep the original registration number
Your vehicle must have 8 or more points from the table below if you want to keep the original registration number. 5 of these points must come from having the original or new and unmodified chassis, monocoque bodyshell or frame.
Part Points
Chassis, monocoque bodyshell (body and chassis as one unit) or frame - original or new and unmodified (direct from manufacturer) 5
Suspension (front and back) - original 2
Axles (both) - original 2
Transmission - original 2
Steering assembly - original 2
Engine - original 1
Get a ‘Q’ registration number
You won’t be able to keep your vehicle’s original registration number if one of the following applies:
it has fewer than 8 points
it has a second-hand or altered chassis, monocoque bodyshell or frame
there’s evidence that 2 vehicles have been welded together to form one (ie ‘cut and shut’)
Your vehicle must pass the relevant type approval test to get a ‘Q’ prefix registration number."
So...reading all of the above, no Reliant trike on the road should ever be using it's original Reiant registration documents, because non of then would ever pass the points system to enable one to retain them.