May 1999 - Part 2 Click here to view this page full screen
Single Vehicle Approval - The story so far.
By Lee Howell
From 1 January 2000, it’s not only the problem of no leaded petrol that we have to deal with. A quick look in any kit car magazine will reveal increasingly worried letters asking about the implications of SVA on both recently purchased kits and older, possibly incorrectly registered cars. One example springs to mind where an old Spartan is registered as a Triumph Herald. The plus side is that it is Tax exempt. Unfortunately it’s not a Triumph, it’s a Spartan and should be registered as such. The problem will not be immediate but at some time in the future an MOT examiner can refuse to re MOT the car until it is put through an SVA test, expensive if it’s an older car to make the necessary modifications plus £165 for the test itself.
To coincide with SVA regulations, registration of cars has changed. As at January 1999 this falls into 5 categories, Q-plates which will apply if the car is made from different parts from different cars, this will need SVA. Age related plates which needs at least two major components from a donor car and will need SVA. Retaining the donor plate where the car will need at least two major components from the donor and the original body or chassis this will not need SVA. New registration plate which will require all new parts with the exception of the engine if rebuilt to "as new" specification but will need to have catalysts and all sorts of other stuff and will also need SVA.
The major category which is likely to affect a number of cars is retrospective registration. This will be the case if your car was not correctly registered and the log book still refers to the original donor. To be correctly registered the log book must show the name of the kit on its own or alongside the name of the donor. If this is not the case, read on. If your car was registered prior to 1993 and legitimately registered with the VRO retaining the donor plate but the log book refers to the donor car, the DVLA may have records and will change the log book if you ask them. I am informed that the registration plate will be retained. The main problem arises when you go for an MOT in an incorrectly registered car as there is no documentary evidence to confirm that the car has been on the road. It’s possible that I could buy a Beetle, for example, make a kit car out of it in a week (very poorly), take it for an MOT and claim that I built it 10 years ago which it is in such a poor state. The MOT examiner could not confirm that because the log book would still say Beetle. The result no MOT without an SVA certificate just in case I did build it the week before.
To my mind, its sheer folly to just hope for the best or assume that because your friendly MOT garage knows you and your car, you can ignore SVA. If the car is incorrectly registered, either you or whoever you sell the car to at some time in the future will be required to undergo SVA so now might be the time to look out the log book and check
Exemptions.
This will affect you only if you’re still building that competition or fun car but apply only if you purchased the kit before 1 January 1998 AND it’s completed before 1 January 2000. If you purchased the kit after 1 January 1998, the current word is that despite possible delays in implementing SVA, there will be no exemptions unless the kit retains the chassis from the original donor car.
Regardless of the date of the engine, emissions will be set at pre catalyst levels. No restrictions on interior fittings. The only restriction on exterior fittings is mascots. This is the same as it is now.
There is no requirement to fit energy absorbing bosses on steering wheels. There are currently no requirements regarding type and positioning of seats.
The SVA inspection manual has recently been reprinted and published if anyone wants one and available from the Vehicle Inspectorate, PO Box 12, Swansea SA1 1BP or the nearest SVA testing station. The catch is it costs £25.00.
