IVA stuff

[Steve Kerswell]

I have just been sent a massive amount of updates to IVA, several very important ones that will not really apply, except, in the small print, if you now get involved in big accident, insurance companies may call in DSVA, who were VOSA, and check things out. The most obvious change I have noticed is that engine mounts and gearbox mount on the chassis have to be in their original position. However you may modify the mount between engine and chassis etc. So I presume this has come up some where, Even the petrol tank brackets and battery tray, if welded when new has to remain, oops thats my Sierra done for then. Will sit down and have a good read later. A lot of this is for the coachbuilt body brigade that seem to fall foul on a regular basis. £250,000 Custom built Horse carrier come motorhome failed on a lot of stuff !!

[Steve and Matt Pegrum]

I am a bit surprised that this comes under IVA. Surely they just have to check/approve whatever is there to see if it is good enough. Or is this for mods after IVA?

[Big Vern]

This has been the case for quite some time, (at least five years that I know of) no mods to the body unit or chassis between the wheelbase, only repair to original. Its why you have to be careful about what you do post registration.

As far as kit cars are concerned so many are 'custom' to start with it would be difficult for DVLA/VOSA  to know what were the 'original' chassis mounting positions. This is really aimed at the custom car/hot rod community. So dropping a Chevy big block in an old Ford Pop would definitly require an IVA now and an accident in a car that should have been IVA'd but wasnt could result in criminal proceedings.

 

[Steve Kerswell]

I think they are closing, i.e. tightening their grip, on loopholes, before they hand it on to Capita or whoever :-)

[Big Vern]

This is the latest update that now includes larger vehicles/coachbuilt etc as they are moved over from SVA to IVA. But the 'allowable modifications' bit has been in  place for sometime.

When the IVA was at consultation process VOSA and the Police wanted ALL post registration modifications to require an IVA but the IVA people at the time insisted it was for registering new or substantially modified vehicles.

They will always keep pushing to stop post reg modifications.

[Steve and Matt Pegrum]

So that means that our Pre SVA/IVA Duttons are immune from this since there is no reckord of how they were built....? And all those RWD Minis Subaru powered Beetles, V8 Capris etc should really go for IVA.

So in those cases (or the cases of modded SVA/IVA kit cars) what I wonder does that mean for areas of the car where the rules have changed outside of the modded part. Do they have to comply with every IVA rule on say immobilisers, as a result of say altering an engine mounting?

Perhaps more importantly for Dutton Owners, if a car were 'sent for an IVA test' (has that ever actually happened?) as a result of some dispute over modifications, if the idea of IVA is as a kind of Super MOT - would it really have to pass the whole IVA or just a subset that related to the mods?

I think I already know the answer though...

[Steve Kerswell]

I think we are OK, as long as it don't come apart on the road, think the law and those powers that be may come down rather hard on modded bits. There but for the grace of God go I. Many times :-) seeing some of the rat rod engineering, I think I can survive. Having been at a couple of IVA inspection and attended a presentation about IVA, it is a grey area. Some leeway is given but obviously if things stand out, look out, the book comes out ! Knowing what's expected is the best bet and do not try to pull the wool etc.

My friends failed on poor execution of engineering practices, bolts sticking through nyloc nuts by 6 mm. etc. Poorly positioned switches and mirrors, stupid things that he should have checked and known better. While there one guy drove in in his kit car, despite knowing he has to trailer it there, failed before it started.

[Steve and Matt Pegrum]

I suppose that aside from getting stopped by some kind of police inspection, which seems very unlikely, the important concern should probably be whether the vehicle concerned is insured. Since insurance specialists like Adrian Flux actually specialise in 'modified cars' it would be difficult for them to wriggle out of any cover they had sold.

So it's difficult to imagine problems due to 'lack of insurance'

Most insurers actually exclude modifications of course

[Adrian Southgate]

I think the insurance companies have dual standards when it comes to 'modification'.

Kit cars, Hot Rods or other 'personalised' cars that have been handbuilt rather than mass produced will always be given a bit of leeway. I personally hope never to have to find out.

[Adrian Southgate]

I have been told that the DVSA(VOSA) will soon stop doing IVA tests and that it will likely be put out to 'approved testing facilities' where a DVLA tester can turn up and test it.

No registered Dutton should be subject to IVA, as previously stated it's for new builds UNLESS its highly modified underneath. Who then has the power to decide if the vehicle has been highly modified recently or historically?

Who would the DVLA consult with on the historic nature of a particular kit?  

Who do the DVLA currently ask for guidance on VIC's when they need a classic or old kit inspected?

The registered representative of the owners club. 

Now i'm not saying that we'll get called to check a vehicle but there is a possibility we may be asked for reference material I suppose.

[Steve Kerswell]

I agree, almost impossible to Police. Insurance assessor's nightmare, but if the mods were poorly executed I'm sure the insurance would be void, very quickly. There is no one who can say that is modified, that is standard, if its done right and finished off right, even Tim would struggle.