Southampton SVA Centre
Discussion
I booked my SVA test ages ago and thought I'd take it to my local centre in Southampton and sinse found out they're the most strict station in the country (by there own mouths) and they're petty asses by others.
Has anybody been there if so how did you get on.
Anybody got any mints on what fails on the Ultima.
Cheers Pee
Has anybody been there if so how did you get on.
Anybody got any mints on what fails on the Ultima.
Cheers Pee
pee said:
I booked my SVA test ages ago and thought I'd take it to my local centre in Southampton and sinse found out they're the most strict station in the country (by there own mouths) and they're petty asses by others.
Has anybody been there if so how did you get on.
Anybody got any mints on what fails on the Ultima.
Cheers Pee
Cancel the booking and take it to Nottingham. Do it! I live within a mile of the to$$ers at Hedge End but took mine on a 350-400 mile round trip to the same centre the factory use. Well worth the effort. Nice people and very helpfull.
Best of luck
Paul.B
pee said:
Thanks mate
It's booked in in a couple of days and I'm now passed my cancellation date. Should I just take it there and try my luck as I have booked it up and can't get a refund?
cheers Pee
You may as well. If it looks like a definate failure, wind the ba$tards up. Then take it to Notts.
I did the first Ultima at Botley... They had a PRIZE to£$%£$r there at the time! He read the manual as we went along, and the test took the full SIX HOURS! I kid you not. I do believe they got rid of that bloke... The main point is they STICK TO THE RULES so if you do as well you will be ok. Couple of points (which may have changed now as it seems the rules keep changing (?) 1) Your engine is VERY OLD. If fact so old you cant remember "of unknown origin" is the phrase. (Not sure if this one still works) but if it does, you do no noise or gas tests and still pass!
2) Yes you need an internal mirror ! yes you cant use it, yes you cant see out of it... but yes its the rules!
The other (difficult one) was - if your wing is on, your wing mirrors may me obstructed (the rules!) and its a fail, so take you wing OFF. Good luck!
2) Yes you need an internal mirror ! yes you cant use it, yes you cant see out of it... but yes its the rules!
The other (difficult one) was - if your wing is on, your wing mirrors may me obstructed (the rules!) and its a fail, so take you wing OFF. Good luck!
Like some of the other guys in here, I took my car for SVA myself and passed first time. The inspectors at my local station are strict in that they apply the rules strictly, but were very professional and friendly about it.
There are no real issues inherent in the Ultima, but things you might like to consider are:
1. make sure you've fitted some rear reflectors (as there aren't any in the lights)
2. I gather some inspectors aren't happy with the Ultima locknut for the brake bias bar.
3. My inspectors were quite clear on both my SVA tests (I built a Westy too) that a third mirror is only needed if the view from the other 2 is inadequate, and they said the view with the Ultima mirrors was particularly adequate! I know he'd been suspicious till he drove the car round their centre and realised what a good view you do get (he didn't even bother with the marker poles, said the field of view was clearly good enough). An interior mirror in an Ultima is clearly ridiculous and something I'd be happy to take up to a higher level if some arse had tried to make me fit one!
4. Better to leave the wing off - first thing is the sharp edges, secondly obscuring the view. Also think it does look like you're trying to take the p**s a bit turning up for SVA with it fitted! For me it was a sort of 'passed SVA ritual' to get it home and fit the wing
5. Make sure you've fitted packing washers in the engine mounts as without the engine can potentially move back and fore.
Good luck and let us know how you get on!
There are no real issues inherent in the Ultima, but things you might like to consider are:
1. make sure you've fitted some rear reflectors (as there aren't any in the lights)
2. I gather some inspectors aren't happy with the Ultima locknut for the brake bias bar.
3. My inspectors were quite clear on both my SVA tests (I built a Westy too) that a third mirror is only needed if the view from the other 2 is inadequate, and they said the view with the Ultima mirrors was particularly adequate! I know he'd been suspicious till he drove the car round their centre and realised what a good view you do get (he didn't even bother with the marker poles, said the field of view was clearly good enough). An interior mirror in an Ultima is clearly ridiculous and something I'd be happy to take up to a higher level if some arse had tried to make me fit one!
4. Better to leave the wing off - first thing is the sharp edges, secondly obscuring the view. Also think it does look like you're trying to take the p**s a bit turning up for SVA with it fitted! For me it was a sort of 'passed SVA ritual' to get it home and fit the wing
5. Make sure you've fitted packing washers in the engine mounts as without the engine can potentially move back and fore.
Good luck and let us know how you get on!
Adding to Bobs list.
I believe the lip of the air exit above the rad is regarded as sharp so a strip of sticky back foam rubber wrapped around will suffice.
I believe the steering wheel also has issues. It may be the holes in the spokes or it could be the un-padded centre. Either way a rubber padded cover for the centre and spokes may be required.
You must also pad any sharp edges under the dash and anywhere around the footwell.
Your flexi brake pipes should have spiral wrap where they could rub on the suspension arms.
Steve
I believe the lip of the air exit above the rad is regarded as sharp so a strip of sticky back foam rubber wrapped around will suffice.
I believe the steering wheel also has issues. It may be the holes in the spokes or it could be the un-padded centre. Either way a rubber padded cover for the centre and spokes may be required.
You must also pad any sharp edges under the dash and anywhere around the footwell.
Your flexi brake pipes should have spiral wrap where they could rub on the suspension arms.
Steve
Excellent advice guys. I too took mine through its SVA by myself. I'll add to the advice on reflectors by saying make sure you get square or round ones not triangular. Triangular ones are for trailers.
The other issue I saw was with the RH gearchange. My tester was quite short and kept banging his leg against the rose joint getting in and out. It was hard to argue that it should be exempt from the interior projection requirements! To give him his due he did measure the cockpit reference planes and such like very carefully to see if it fell in an exempt zone...he even phoned a head office to seek clarification. In the end I was able to fashion a rudimentary gaiter with a couple of bits of split water hose and a tie wrap. Another good reason to go with the Getrag cable shift...
I also had issues with the steering wheel. I am at a loss as to why Momo didn't put a decent radius on the spokes of the wheel. It wouldn't have been hard and it wouldn't spoilt the aesthetics at all. hey ho. A bit of sticky backed foam strip soon fixed that!
Take plenty of foam strip, rubber hose, tie wraps, etc along. They can be very useful for fixing up little problems that might require a retest.
I was pleasantly surprised by my SVA (Bishopbriggs near Glasgow). The guy doing the test was desperate for it to pass (but still had to stick to the rules). I think that he was so fed up with seeing flyboys and their Nissan Skylines or Caterfields with their special "SVA pass" kits attached. It was unusual to see a car like an Ultima presented with virtually ziltch in the way of special SVA mods.
The other issue I saw was with the RH gearchange. My tester was quite short and kept banging his leg against the rose joint getting in and out. It was hard to argue that it should be exempt from the interior projection requirements! To give him his due he did measure the cockpit reference planes and such like very carefully to see if it fell in an exempt zone...he even phoned a head office to seek clarification. In the end I was able to fashion a rudimentary gaiter with a couple of bits of split water hose and a tie wrap. Another good reason to go with the Getrag cable shift...
I also had issues with the steering wheel. I am at a loss as to why Momo didn't put a decent radius on the spokes of the wheel. It wouldn't have been hard and it wouldn't spoilt the aesthetics at all. hey ho. A bit of sticky backed foam strip soon fixed that!
Take plenty of foam strip, rubber hose, tie wraps, etc along. They can be very useful for fixing up little problems that might require a retest.
I was pleasantly surprised by my SVA (Bishopbriggs near Glasgow). The guy doing the test was desperate for it to pass (but still had to stick to the rules). I think that he was so fed up with seeing flyboys and their Nissan Skylines or Caterfields with their special "SVA pass" kits attached. It was unusual to see a car like an Ultima presented with virtually ziltch in the way of special SVA mods.
I agree with Bob, Steve and Dave, when I took mine, I turned up with nothing but the car, the guy who did the test was really helpful, my problem was I had no resourses so running back and forth to the local shop to buy sellotape, foam and glue was a bit of a pain!
My "tester" was extremely helpful with quote's like, "if those switches aren't in the dashboard when I return from lunch then that's O.K" which is great if someone had prompted you to bring a toolbox!!!
My "tester" was extremely helpful with quote's like, "if those switches aren't in the dashboard when I return from lunch then that's O.K" which is great if someone had prompted you to bring a toolbox!!!
Sorry guys,
I let the side down and failed today (not on the colour thank you Clive). It was only on a few little bits which isn't that bad considering there was more than one examiner and the was also the inspector from the minestry inspecting my examiner ( super strict).
Thanks for the tips and hints guys
Pee
p.s
managed 100.9 dba on the noise test (few)
>> Edited by pee on Wednesday 24th November 18:32
I let the side down and failed today (not on the colour thank you Clive). It was only on a few little bits which isn't that bad considering there was more than one examiner and the was also the inspector from the minestry inspecting my examiner ( super strict).
Thanks for the tips and hints guys
Pee
p.s
managed 100.9 dba on the noise test (few)
>> Edited by pee on Wednesday 24th November 18:32
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