MadaboutKitcars

Well despite my best efforts and really long weekends ands nights in the garage I have to face reality and say I don't think I will get my car ready for test before the SVA end deadline. So if I want to swan around in my Cabrio it will have to go through an IVA test.

I have got a copy of the latest version 3 IVA manual and there are a couple of areas that may cause problems.

My 13 digit chassis number is a no no, it has to be minimum of 17 digits and include a vin plate so I guess I will need to speak to Terry at Marlin about getting a 17 digit number allocated and the required proof from them.

The fuel tank requirements look like they may cause some problems for instance IVA talks about the tank not being positioned near a heat source so maybe an exhaust heat shield as I have used at the moment is out. Also talks about vunrability to puncture in a rear end colision and there is quite a lot of tank exposed below the chassis / body line on a Cabrio.

Bumpers also look like they may need work as I don't thnk the exsiting design meets my interpretation of the IVA requirement.

Still trawling through the manual and making notes but I would be interested to hear other peoples views on IVA and issues for the Cabrio. I guess any unfinished Cabrio and Sportsters will be in the same boat.

I obviousley want to see my car finshed and on the road but that said I need to be mindfull of what's required (work and cash wise) to get there under IVA.

Be interested to hear other peoples views on this, not just those building but also from owners who are already road legal. There is a lot of rubbish talked on some of the kit car sites about IVA but there are some areas in IVA which will impact a car like the Cabrio, its a shame no one is still marketing the car as at least there would have been a manufacturer working on any issues and maybe agreeing solutions in consultation with the guys at VOSA.

Anyway to end on a happy note, at least the sun is shining!!

John

A couple of things I noticed

1. You need a tethered fuel cap (Or one that uses the same key as the ignition)
2. Seats must have head restraints.

I suspect a lot of the points in there were also already in the SVA but haven't really been seen as issues up until now. For example the brakes are supposed to be diagonally split - but I haven't heard of anyone who failed the SVA because of a front back split (I might find out soon....)

The other "issue" with the IVA is the cost. Rumored to be £500 + but the killer is you have to pay almost the full fee again for a retest (see this months Practical Classics). Considering 90% fail the first time this is going to put a lot of people off even thinking about building a Kit Car. Mind you, it might force second-hand prices up!

Robin

Hi John,
obviously to start with there is going to be a lot interpretation and it will depend on which tester you get. They will also be feeling their way as well. Despite all the rumours i thought my tester actually wanted to see me pass but of course had to check everything met the standard. if you arrive with a car that is well built and you have made efforts to meet the specs i'm sure they will help.
For example, my chassis number was very poorly stamped and actually had 18 digits! I was worried this might cause a fail so i re-stamped it in another place directly on to the chassis. When the examinar asked where it was i pointed him to my nice clearly stamped 17 digit number (and the same at registration). The only requiremnt is that it is a unique set of numbers and letters so just add you initials or birth date to your 13 digits and you will have a unique number.
i'm sure if approach each requirement in the same way you'll find a solution.

By the way there seems to be a Version 3.2 now...

http://www.mevltd.co.uk/mev/IVA-Inspection-Manual-for-M1-Passenger-Cars-V3.2.pdf
... so you can now have side exhausts which may be the solution to the fuel tank? but I think most production cars have exhaust systems running under or near their fuel tanks?

But as Robin says, the biggest issue is the new price!!

Just googling around and thinking about this problem I came up with something like this..........



It needs some furher development but fix the chain to the underside of the fuel cap and drop the T-bar and chain into the tank. So long as the bar is fixed centrally and longer than twice the diameter of the filller, it'll never come out! (i think its a bit short in my diagram)
Nothing shows externally and no need to fix anything to the tank or bodywork.
Anybody fancy making a prototype?

Thanks guys

Appreciate the link to version 3.2 I'll take a look not seen this before.

As for fuel cap retention I was not so worried, I will probably go with a plastic strap to tie the cap to the body as per my workhorse Mazda 6.

As you point out of more concern might be the cost if £540 for the test if accurate and retests at similar cost!!.

Cheers

John

I was looking at an 08 Vauxhall Zafira the other day. And they don't get supplied with a locking petrol cap. And just looks like an ordinary plastic cap??? And nothing to release the flap.

I made a point examining the cap as well. I could not see anything special.

Most cars these days have a locking solenoid on the filler flap so when you lock the car the flap locks as well

I remembered something else about the IVA. They will test fit a Euro sized number plate to make sure it fits OK. On the Sportster it is very marginal at the rear if you use the standard Lucas style number plate lights either side. The Euro plate is 520mm wide. When I measured mine the best I could get was 518 mm. Not a lot of difference but enough for a fail. The solution - just fit a light on one side instead of both....

Robin