SVA'S and MOT'S
If the Vehicle has no registration documentation(V5 LOG BOOK) then unfortunately it has not been acquainted with with VOSA and is of course not a legal road vehicle, I would strongly advise against purchasing a vehicle in this case unless you are, or have friends who are 'SVA savvy'.
VOSA(vehicle operating services agency) are the government agency responsible for implementing the identity and legal safety requirements for all road vehicles in the form of the SVA or ESVA test.
If the car comprises of sufficient new parts to meet the criteria, it can be assigned a new Registration(IE 06).
If the car has utilised adequate donor parts from the same vehicle which are identifiable, then VOSA should assign an 'age related' registration to the car(IE a registration denoting the age of the donor car at first registration).
If the car has insufficient identifiable parts then neither of the above can apply so a 'Q' registration will be assigned(as in my case). There are pros and cons to the 'Q' reg, the pro is that unlike new or age related regs subsequent MOT tests only comprise of a 'visual check' for emissions, this can be a god send in the days of increasingly stringent emission requirements-especially with older engines and bike engines. The down side is that a 'Q' reg cannot be changed to that personalised reg you always dreamed of, they are non transferable and must remain with the vehicle for life.
The identity crisis that warrants the 'Q' reg may make some garages reluctant to MOT your vehicle as I found, as it does not comply with their database, Its not that they cant do it, It just means they have more to do. Even if they are most helpful I would advise checking your ground clearance with their minimum height requirements for their lift as few places utilize pits anymore.
Of course, kit cars by their very nature are projects and founded on unproven technology, tolerances in the chassis at welding are rarely manufacturers spec, let alone DIY tastes and assembly errors, which all makes for potential fun and games when it comes to the notorious SVA test.
Aside of the most basic safety requirements, SVA tests share little with their MOT counterparts, its not unusual to see a kitcar roll into the VOSA station on borrowed wheels, with borrowed seats, wing mirrors etc, this is testament to the strict tolerances they adhere to which can mean failure for the slightest protrusion, insecurity or perceived lack of functionality.
Their are stories of guys performing drastic surgery of their cars during inspector tea breaks to rectify fail points.
Okay, so you've got your keys, your all legal and itching to take your toy for a spin, before your blitz of into the sunset armed with nothing but your Oakley sunglasses, stop!.
The first couple of runs should be a nervous local run round the block with the most mechanically competent friend you have, because statistically-you will have a problem of some type or another. If like me, you trust your dash instruments and get too adventurous, you may, like me find yourself embarrassingly grinding to halt on the parkway as your beloved reconditioned engine passes out from heat, this however was however deemed pleasant compared to billowing smoke from shorted wiring on the third run!. My point is, be prepared, its a gradual fault finding process, take a friend, a screwdriver, a bottle of water and a pack of fuses until your satisfied. You also want to ensure you have your paperwork notably your breakdown cover details and a charged mobile phone, as you wouldn't want to be leaving it broken down in the city centre overnight would you?.
Even if you first few runs are fault free, it is always wise to conduct checks on nut and bolt tightness and fluid levels before AND after outings, fluid leaks when are always more obvious when your car is garaged.
Good Luck!
www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft roads/documents/page/dft_roads_506874.hcsp
If the Vehicle has no registration documentation(V5 LOG BOOK) then unfortunately it has not been acquainted with with VOSA and is of course not a legal road vehicle, I would strongly advise against purchasing a vehicle in this case unless you are, or have friends who are 'SVA savvy'.
VOSA(vehicle operating services agency) are the government agency responsible for implementing the identity and legal safety requirements for all road vehicles in the form of the SVA or ESVA test.
If the car comprises of sufficient new parts to meet the criteria, it can be assigned a new Registration(IE 06).
If the car has utilised adequate donor parts from the same vehicle which are identifiable, then VOSA should assign an 'age related' registration to the car(IE a registration denoting the age of the donor car at first registration).
If the car has insufficient identifiable parts then neither of the above can apply so a 'Q' registration will be assigned(as in my case). There are pros and cons to the 'Q' reg, the pro is that unlike new or age related regs subsequent MOT tests only comprise of a 'visual check' for emissions, this can be a god send in the days of increasingly stringent emission requirements-especially with older engines and bike engines. The down side is that a 'Q' reg cannot be changed to that personalised reg you always dreamed of, they are non transferable and must remain with the vehicle for life.
The identity crisis that warrants the 'Q' reg may make some garages reluctant to MOT your vehicle as I found, as it does not comply with their database, Its not that they cant do it, It just means they have more to do. Even if they are most helpful I would advise checking your ground clearance with their minimum height requirements for their lift as few places utilize pits anymore.
Of course, kit cars by their very nature are projects and founded on unproven technology, tolerances in the chassis at welding are rarely manufacturers spec, let alone DIY tastes and assembly errors, which all makes for potential fun and games when it comes to the notorious SVA test.
Aside of the most basic safety requirements, SVA tests share little with their MOT counterparts, its not unusual to see a kitcar roll into the VOSA station on borrowed wheels, with borrowed seats, wing mirrors etc, this is testament to the strict tolerances they adhere to which can mean failure for the slightest protrusion, insecurity or perceived lack of functionality.
Their are stories of guys performing drastic surgery of their cars during inspector tea breaks to rectify fail points.
Okay, so you've got your keys, your all legal and itching to take your toy for a spin, before your blitz of into the sunset armed with nothing but your Oakley sunglasses, stop!.
The first couple of runs should be a nervous local run round the block with the most mechanically competent friend you have, because statistically-you will have a problem of some type or another. If like me, you trust your dash instruments and get too adventurous, you may, like me find yourself embarrassingly grinding to halt on the parkway as your beloved reconditioned engine passes out from heat, this however was however deemed pleasant compared to billowing smoke from shorted wiring on the third run!. My point is, be prepared, its a gradual fault finding process, take a friend, a screwdriver, a bottle of water and a pack of fuses until your satisfied. You also want to ensure you have your paperwork notably your breakdown cover details and a charged mobile phone, as you wouldn't want to be leaving it broken down in the city centre overnight would you?.
Even if you first few runs are fault free, it is always wise to conduct checks on nut and bolt tightness and fluid levels before AND after outings, fluid leaks when are always more obvious when your car is garaged.
Good Luck!
www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft roads/documents/page/dft_roads_506874.hcsp
