Who gives insurance the specs of cars?

[Don]

My brother has just bought an old Peugeot Spinnaker (his car 'passed away' today while he was down visiting). The car is a 1.4 and says 1,397 cc on the V5. He phoned insurance who said that the Spinnaker is a 1,600 cc and want to insure him at that level. I used to own a 306 1.6 XR and the insurance companies used to think that was a 1.4 (but I told them in case of crash, etc.) How can a car be a 1.4 in the flesh, a 1.4 on the V5, but the insurance have the reg linked to a 1.6 model?

 

[Djw John]

Dunno but its happened with some Clios as well, some companies thought mine was a 172 and its only a 1.4 happened the other way round too! I assumed its the manufacturer.

 

[Rich]

AFAIK the Spinnaker was made in two engine sizes

1.6 Spinnaker and 1.9 D Turbo Spinnaker. (Only available in green or blue I think) Was a special edition done in 1996 with spec akin to the XL models.

This is what the insurance companys go on, if it really is 1.4 just insure it as 1.4 L or LX

 

[M1TCH]

I get that John, when I ring for insurance quote and give them the number plate mine comes up as a 172 too, but when I do those free Hpi thingys on RAC it comes up with a 1.4S. As these are linked to dvla's held details I don't get how it happens. :S