259 replies to this topic

[miniweights]

Same question to VOSA short version:

I understand the 8 point test, but what I don’t understand is; If an IVA
test do not apply to passenger cars 10 years and over, then would the
DVLA 8 point test apply, and if it does, what test will my Mini have to
take, if I radically modify it?


Reply to my question:

The ten year rule only applies to unmodified production vehicles. Where a
vehicle is modified or radically altered (or built from parts as is the
case for a Kit Car) its date of manufacture is taken as the date it
achieves IVA approval.

I do hope this information is helpful, but should you have any further
questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

Best regards,

Mark

Mark Vickers Eng Tech MSOE MIRTE
Technical Officer
Passenger Cars & Light Goods Vehicle Approvals
Customer Service Centre
VOSA
Department for Transport.


I still don't understand why the 10 year rule would only apply to unmodified production vehicles. Surely it goes without saying, IVA wouldn't apply to any unmodified vehicles?

[mini13]

I think what he is saying is...

the 10 year rule dosent apply unless they decide it apply's, in which case it only apply's unitil you take them to court and present their own documentation that says it dosent apply, in which case it no longer apply's until they get enough people rolling over and not presenting their documentation that says it doent apply, in which case they will make sure they ammend their documentation to says it apply's.

[1960Zody]

What he's saying is correct.
If you take a standard car and modify it so that it falls outside the 8 point system, it ceases to be the original vehicle and therefore loses it's identity.
And the loss of identity gives DVLA the right, should they choose to, to remove the vehicle's registration document.
The only legitimate way to then put the vehicle back on the road again is to put it through a (B)IVA test.
The vehicle then receives an appropriate 'new' registration date and that is the date at which is passes the IVA.

Legitimately speaking, there is no way round this...

Also, when IVA is referred to, this is not the same as BIVA.
BIVA is a test that was fought for and won by the Hot Rodding community, back in the late 1990's.
It is a less onerous version of the test that is applied to 'Production' vehicles to allow 'Amateur' builders to construct and register their own cars.

The 10 year rule for IVA applies to Imported vehicles that are standard and were constructed before IVA was relevant.

Edited by 1960Zody, 19 December 2011 - 01:17 PM.

[miniweights]

Thanks for clearing that one up

Edited by miniweights, 20 December 2011 - 06:37 PM.

[Ethel]

Imported, unmodified, production vehicles won't necessarily have been built to pass the same regulations that would apply to new cars built for the UK market, the BIVA ensures that they are.

I'd agree it doesn't make imports over 10 years old likely to be any more compliant than someone's home built car.
It does mean if you are a foreign national wanting to bring a car here, it'd be cheaper & easier if it's an old banger

[minimate]

bad idea dont do that keep original in my opinion
from minimate noah

[minimarvel]

And the loss of identity gives DVLA the right, should they choose to, to remove the vehicle's registration document.

This means that they can then sell it on at one of their auctions and make money out of it!

[Joseph-C]

How would the DVLA find out about these modifications if you did not report them? I understand that people report other car owners to the DVLA when they have not reported engine conversions and rightly so, but who would bother reporting a cut to the bulkhead?

Also, so if bought a brand new car it would be illegal to modify it? that is rubbish.

[Ethel]

So much for this being a faq

Your car is looked at every year when it goes for an MoT & Vosa also do roadside inspections.

Yes it will be illegal to modify new cars at all very soon.

[Bungle]

plus insurance companys aren't stupid if they can find a way not to pay out on a claim they will

crash your mini and before they pay up it gets inspected by their engineer

engineer finds a webber bulk head box and asks you for the IVA paper work

you say "it's ok with out one someone on TMF told me"

engineer goes away happy another claim they don't have to pay out on

[kyebrooks]

does this effect any minis because they are already on the road

[Bungle]

no only minis in the uk

[Ethel]

does this effect any minis because they are already on the road

if you mean the new regulation about modifying cars - no it won't effect us.

You can still fall foul of the IVA stuff if you modify your car to the point where it's no longer regarded as the same vehicle, as explained right at the beginning.

[BMC]

Sorry for the bump but i am new to all this LoL. I do not yet have a licence or a car but am hoping to get a red mini. would adding things like spacers, wheel arches, rollcage & a simple engine tuneup affect anything?

Edited by BMC, 10 March 2012 - 02:32 AM.

[Ethel]

Not likely to, but a roll cage and engine mods will have a bearing on insurance policies.