Speedo reading KPH

[tamago]

Hi all

I just collected a 13 year old Jag from Southampton which was shipped over from Hong Kong. For some reason, it has sentimental value (even though it's worth about £1K tops) and my dad wants to get it running in the UK. I have settled the import duties and VAT so the next step I guess is getting it UK registered.

Unfortunately this Jag doesn't have a dual MPH/KPH readout. Will it pass the MOT and will the police make an issue out of it if pulled over? I seem to recall that it is illegal to have a speedo reading only KPH in the UK...

Thanks

[Munta]

If they cause hassle - take them to the European court. metric mesurement is valid (and enforced in some cases ) through out the EU.

[Mr E]

Not too tricky to change the speedo gearing and put an MPH sticker over the dial....

[JMGS4]

AS previously stated ONLY kms are allowed (also in GB!!!) they can do fk-all if you've a kmh speedo... same law which prosecutes barrow boys for selling lbs and ozs instead of kgs!!!! An EU exemption is in place for existing road signs but all NEW SIGNS MUST be in kms!!!!!!
Ask one of our BiBs about this as well...........

[cazzo]

My Ducati has a KPH speedo and has passed MOT (twice) no problems, Also I do not believe that they actually test the speedo but simply check that there is one.

[pdV6]

I'd have thought that you might need to pass an SVA before being allowed to register it with the DVLA.

One of the SVA checks is for mph speedo IIRC.

[pdV6]

DVLA said:

IMPORTING A VEHICLE A vehicle which is permanently imported for use in Great Britain must be registered and licensed as soon as possible after it arrives in this country. The vehicle should not be used or kept on public roads until the licensing and registration formalities have been completed. However, if the vehicle needs to have an SVA (see section A "Type Approval") or MOT test in order to be registered, the vehicle may be driven to and from the pre-arranged test appointment. Thereafter, the vehicle must be kept off the road until the registration formalities have taken place. Application for registration should be made to your nearest DVLA Local Office. N.B It is not possible to offer an 'over the counter service'; registration usually takes between 48 to 72 hours. A "brand new" vehicle can be driven to GB and registered as "new" provided the vehicle: is registered in GB quickly after collection - this is taken to be 14 days but may be extended to one calendar month at peak periods (e.g. prior to 1st March and 1st September) Only have reasonable delivery mileage and Not have been previously "permanently" registered. N.B. UK law requires a vehicle to be UK licenced and registered for road use. To avoid difficulties, importers are advised to transport, rather than drive their vehicles from the port to home or first destination and to keep them off the road until they have been properly licenced and registered. For most new vehicles you must present evidence of Type Approval from the supplier or vehicle manufacturer, usually in the form of a Certificate of Conformity. If the vehicle has not been subject to Type Approval it must pass a Single Approval (SVA) Test. VEHICLE REGISTRATION The following documents will need to be submitted to the DVLA Local Office. (N.B. photocopies are NOT acceptable). Completed application form V55/4* (for new vehicles) or V55/5 (for used vehicles). A £25 registration fee (if applicable). # The required fee for the licence. A current British certificate of insurance. Foreign registration document and any other papers you have relating to the vehicle. Evidence showing the date the vehicle was collected (normally the invoice from the supplier). Evidence of type approval. The appropriate Customs and Excise form. A current British MOT test certificate (if applicable). A Declaration of Newness (if applicable). *The V55/4 form has been introduced to distinguish between new and used vehicles coming forward for registration. # Please make cheques, postal orders payable to "DVLA Swansea" or "Driver and Vehicle licensing Agency". Registration and licensing will not take place unless you have the necessary documentation. In some cases the DVLA Local Office may wish to see the vehicle to check its identity.

[pdV6]

DVLA also said:

A. Type Approval IMPORTANCE NOTICE: From 17 June 2003 Type Approval or SVA will be required for motorcycles, tricycles & quadricycles Non-type approved vehicles less than 10 years old that are personally imported are required to pass a Single Vehicle Approval (SVA) test. To qualify as a Personal Import [PI], the following conditions have to be met. · If the vehicle has been imported by a person entering the United Kingdom; · That the person had, at the time the vehicle was imported, been normally resident in a country other than the United Kingdom for a continuous period of at least 12 months; · That person intends to become normally resident in the United Kingdom; · That the vehicle has been in the possession of that person and used by him in the country where he has normally resident for a period of at least 6 months before its importation and · That the vehicle is intended for his personal or household use in the United Kingdom. Personally imported vehicles over 3 years old, that meet the above criteria, will be subject to the MOT test. The Vehicle Inspectorate will need to be satisfied that the person importing the vehicle complies with the above criteria. NB. P.I. status does not apply to HGVs over 3,500kgs. Commercial and other Non-Personal Imports If you do not qualify as a personal importer, you will need to submit your vehicle for an SVA inspection. Until 31 July 2001, one level of test "Standard SVA" applied to all vehicles. From the 1 August 2001 a more stringent SVA test was introduced, (Enhanced SVA) that applies to most imports which are neither type approved nor personal. It is also permissible to obtain an equivalent single approval granted in another EEA State. Further information on SVA is given in leaflet SVA4 and in the booklet 'How to Import a vehicle into great Britain' PI5. Vehicles over 10 years old are exempt from type approval and SVA but will require a current MOT certificate. A vehicle is classed as being 10 years old from the last day of the month of first registration.

[theExcession]

The MOT does not have any requirement for a Speedo of any descrption - in fact you can pass an MOT without one so I doubt it displaying kph will be of any concern.

best
Ex

[Richard C]

DVLA said:

To avoid difficulties, importers are advised to transport, rather than drive their vehicles from the port to home or first destination

I just love the way those slimy control freaks slip this sort of thing in as though it were law. They'd prefer it was not but you are entitled to drive your imported car from the port to your destination so long as it is insured. The Police and no-one else is entitled to cause 'difficulties'

And I am amused that the last time I drove a numberplateless Lancer Evo7 down the M6 at running in speed, just as I passed the Gatso trap at the roadworks some guy sped past at mach one. I wonder waht the scamera partnership made of that then !

[tamago]

pdV6 said:

I'd have thought that you might need to pass an SVA before being allowed to register it with the DVLA. One of the SVA checks is for mph speedo IIRC.

That's what I thought until today, spoke to the Licencing office and they said as long as the car is over 10 years old, it will be exempt from SVA testing, which is nice as it saves me time and money !!

[tonyrec]

Sadly it is illegal to have a speedo reading in KPH only.
Its one of those offences that you will probably not get processed for on its own, probably just a VDRS (if they still do them).

However, get stopped for other offences and once the pen is out!!!!!

My advice is get it altered asap.