SVA or not SVA???
Discussion
Hello, can someone confirm whether or not you do need an SVA before having your new Corvette registered in the UK? I believed that you did, though heard that you dont need to if the car is older that 10 years.
Also, I've seen many a Vette with a uk reg, and therefore presumably a MOT with entirely stock looking rear lights and mirrors - i.e no orange anywhere. take a look at this - http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/www/
Looks like four red lights to me! So why has this car got registered and for sale to the general public without lights modifications etc???
So when is the SVA not needed????
Also, when you must have the SVA - do you get a choice over how intrusive the lights modifications are to the overall appearance of the back of your Vette? I hate those than slap on the huge and ugly fog lamps either side of the number plate, and go on to move the reverse lights to accomdate a standard length uk number plate.
Also, I've seen many a Vette with a uk reg, and therefore presumably a MOT with entirely stock looking rear lights and mirrors - i.e no orange anywhere. take a look at this - http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/www/
Looks like four red lights to me! So why has this car got registered and for sale to the general public without lights modifications etc???
So when is the SVA not needed????
Also, when you must have the SVA - do you get a choice over how intrusive the lights modifications are to the overall appearance of the back of your Vette? I hate those than slap on the huge and ugly fog lamps either side of the number plate, and go on to move the reverse lights to accomdate a standard length uk number plate.
There are others on this forum who been through the SVA so will be more knowledgeable than me, but I'll do my best :
You don't need SVA on a vehicle over 10 years old. If you import a younger or a new one from the USA then you will need SVA. If you buy a euro-spec one then again there's no SVA required as per any other European car.
The rear plate recess is OK as you have special dispensation for imports with a recess that legally allows you to fit a 12"x6" plate with motorcycle size characters. You have to fit a fog light to the rear and side repeaters at the front. You will need orange indicators front and rear. The fog light has to be either to the offside or in the middle of the car. You can only have a nearside fog lamp if you fit 2 - one each side. For C4 and C5 you can get euro-spec rear lights with amber indicators already in place. The fog light you fit has to be "e" marked as a fog light.
Now, after the SVA you will be the same as everyone else - MoT only required (after 3 years old of course). MoT is not as thorough as SVA. The cars you referred to have either a) got a "friendly" MoT station or b) refit US lights after the MoT. There is no way they got an SVA like that. I would advise fit a cheap fog light for SVA using double sided sticky pads. Then afterwards wire up the offside reverse light as the fog, fit a bright red LED or silvered bulb (prevents the red hue you get from a red bulb in a clear lens). That should be fine for an MoT - I always get through OK using what was originally a brake light on my Camaro. Hope this helps.
You don't need SVA on a vehicle over 10 years old. If you import a younger or a new one from the USA then you will need SVA. If you buy a euro-spec one then again there's no SVA required as per any other European car.
The rear plate recess is OK as you have special dispensation for imports with a recess that legally allows you to fit a 12"x6" plate with motorcycle size characters. You have to fit a fog light to the rear and side repeaters at the front. You will need orange indicators front and rear. The fog light has to be either to the offside or in the middle of the car. You can only have a nearside fog lamp if you fit 2 - one each side. For C4 and C5 you can get euro-spec rear lights with amber indicators already in place. The fog light you fit has to be "e" marked as a fog light.
Now, after the SVA you will be the same as everyone else - MoT only required (after 3 years old of course). MoT is not as thorough as SVA. The cars you referred to have either a) got a "friendly" MoT station or b) refit US lights after the MoT. There is no way they got an SVA like that. I would advise fit a cheap fog light for SVA using double sided sticky pads. Then afterwards wire up the offside reverse light as the fog, fit a bright red LED or silvered bulb (prevents the red hue you get from a red bulb in a clear lens). That should be fine for an MoT - I always get through OK using what was originally a brake light on my Camaro. Hope this helps.
There are loads of US spec cars in the UK running with red indicators, some are legit (over a certain age is exempt - 30 years? can't remember..) like the 50's stuff. The more recent ones, like an 80's Corvette are not legal as such and should be converted. The ones you see running unconverted have normally been MOT'd by a trader or a 'understanding' test station.
My 91' had EU rear lights (bottom half on each was amber) and the outer reversing light was coated red to make a fog lamp (the fog lamp switch needs to be illuminated).I personally would not use an unconverted car for long - someone could use the fact against you in the event of an insurance claim.
I'm sure Keith at Eurovettes could supply a kit of suitable parts if you did need to do a conversion.
Edited to add: If I didn't answer the phone half way through posting I would not have needed to repeat half what Mike already said..
My 91' had EU rear lights (bottom half on each was amber) and the outer reversing light was coated red to make a fog lamp (the fog lamp switch needs to be illuminated).I personally would not use an unconverted car for long - someone could use the fact against you in the event of an insurance claim.
I'm sure Keith at Eurovettes could supply a kit of suitable parts if you did need to do a conversion.
Edited to add: If I didn't answer the phone half way through posting I would not have needed to repeat half what Mike already said..
Edited by chrisx666 on Monday 17th July 13:19
N.B. The fog lamp needs to be "E" marked to pass SVA.
By far the best article I have seen on how to achieve an SVA pass is (courtesy of Wayne/Lucifer) here: www.cardomain.com/ride/627465/2
I used this to pass my SVA, did the work myself. Enough said
By far the best article I have seen on how to achieve an SVA pass is (courtesy of Wayne/Lucifer) here: www.cardomain.com/ride/627465/2
I used this to pass my SVA, did the work myself. Enough said
Thanks for the great info guys. Something else i've wanted to know is how do you buy a Vette from the USA. Let's say I see one i like on www.vettefinders.com or www.vettenet.com or the like, what happens then? HOw do i make payment? how can i be sure the car is physically as described, how do i get the car off the bloke's drive and into a container? Many thanks for any information! It's greatly appreciated.
wheresmyvette said:
Something else i've wanted to know is how do you buy a Vette from the USA. Let's say I see one i like on www.vettefinders.com or www.vettenet.com or the like, what happens then? HOw do i make payment? how can i be sure the car is physically as described, how do i get the car off the bloke's drive and into a container?
I bought mine off US eBay... won on the Tuesday, phoned him beforehand to let him know what I planned, he agreed on a small deposit after the auction, I flew out to see the car the following weekend (worth £300, think about it...) came home and paid by bank transfer on the Monday. I got the owner to agree to drive the car to the port. That was lucky as it saved a couple of hundred getting it transported, but you do have to trust the driver... I had previously arranged a container with a shipping company, so they expected the car when it arrived. Shipping cost a grand, including insurance, but the tax bill when UK Customs get hold of it is horrendous (27.5% ish). The car turned up at Chatham docks after about 4 weeks.
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