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SVA Test (Single Vehicle Approval) |
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From the very beginning of the build, I have had to consider this subject very carefully. To anyone who is unsure what an SVA test is, it's a one off test that all new kit cars have had to take since Jan 2000. There are a few exceptions, but not many. It is carried out at a Government Test Station and virtually everything is checked to ensure it is safe and legal. (This is now called an IVA test and its even harder to pass than when my car was tested) I decided to take a visit to the Test Station before applying for the test. This was quite a wise move because it gave me an opportunity to speak with the examiner. He was extremely helpful and gave me a few pointers of possible failure areas on Cobras. I also got the V55/5 form (Test application) from him. During February 2002 I sent the forms off with the V5 (log book) from the Rover that the engine and g/box came from. This is to prove the age of the engine for emissions and registration purposes. Within a week I had another form back asking for details about any parts that were professionally built. None of mine were, so I sent the form back with the relevant information on it. Then, another week later, I got a date. March the 11th 2002. Panic!!! There was now very little time before the test, so I removed the wheel spinners, exhaust shields, refitted the Sierra steering wheel and aligned the rear fog light so it was dead straight. The emissions was an area I just couldn't check myself, so I called a mobile tuner round to get this sorted. He checked it all out and set it up at 1.5% CO. Well inside the spec for a 1984 engine. So it's nearly done, 3 years work, a lot of sweat and tears. Just got to wait for the test day and see what needs to be rectified. Can't sleep now!!!
The SVA examiner had told me to get an MOT before the SVA test, he explained that you couldn't get it taxed unless it had an MOT. This seemed like a good idea, even if it was used as a test run. As I drove it to the MOT station, without number plates, I passed 2 police cars, none of which bothered to stop me! I was insured and the MOT was booked, so I was legal anyway. Despite passing the MOT, it wasn't without it's problems. The cooling fans wouldn't stop running which drained the battery so I had to borrow a battery from them to get it started. The problems were quickly cured by replacing the radiator switch and tightening the battery terminals. Finally the big day was upon me. On the way I filled it up with petrol, this is needed to calculate the overall weight, fully laden. The examiner started with a general look round and then he checked the lights. It failed straight away, on the fog light not being bright enough!! In a way, this was quite a relief, because once it had failed I was no longer worrying about passing. All the other tests went OK except the hand brake. This reached its mechanical stop before the cable ran out of travel. It worked satisfactory but it mustn't reach the stop, so this needed adjusting. Once home, I bought a proper fog light (E Marked), made a bracket to fit it onto the originals mounting points, (this will come off after its passed and the original will go back on). I adjusted the handbrake and booked a re-test for the following day. The re-test was a formality, It took all of 30 seconds for him to check the two failure points and I was issued with a M.A.C. (Minister's Approval Certificate) A quick, smiley drive home and I was straight down the local DVLC office to get it registered. After filling in a few forms and handing over the V5, for the original Rover SD1 I had bought, he said that there was no need to inspect the vehicle and that I would be issued an age related plate. GREAT that's exactly what I wanted. So, home again, I stripped off the SVA gear and put on the bits that were going to stay on it for good. One very long sunny week went by before I got the tax disc through the post. As he had promised, I got an age related plate, B 487 WVG. At last I was legal to drive it where ever I wanted. |
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