IVA tomorrow at Birmingham..Getting excited/nervous!

[MPETT]

Well, I've done all I can in preparation. Sierra steering wheel has been purchased and fitted, just in case, and tonight I'm going to put a spot of Silicone on the nut covers to ensure they don't fall off en route. Tool box packed and a few spares/cable ties etc in for good measure. Paper work and photo evidence in a file.

Just a quick prayer before bed for good weather!

Any tips or last words of advice. Really hope I don't have to spend another £90 for the retest

Edited by MPETT on Thursday 31st March 16:56

[Frankthered]

Good luck matey!

No words of advice from me, I'm afraid, but I'll cross my fingers for you!

[TonyHetherington]

Good luck

[stevetvrs]

Hi,

I passed my IVA at Bristol last summer. My advice is to make sure you take plenty of tools, jack, rubber edging, nut covers, superglue and a lucky charm!

I was surprised to find the examiner very friendly and helpful, and gave me the opportunity to fix all manner of things he had pointed out, even to the point where he would have allowed me to leave the site to buy a local part (on foot)! I had read about examiners saying things like "this is a test centre, not a workshop", but he was fine. Just make sure you are polite, don't argue and you should be OK, so long as you've read the M1 IVA manual inside out. Some points can be 'discussed' and can be open to interpretation, so if you think you are right and he is wrong, take his advice and discuss your perception of the manual.

What car is it?

Good luck and happy motoring

[Frankthered]

stevetvrs said:

Just make sure you are polite, don't argue and you should be OK, so long as you've read the M1 IVA manual inside out. Some points can be 'discussed' and can be open to interpretation, so if you think you are right and he is wrong, take his advice and discuss your perception of the manual.

From what I've heard this is very good advice. If there's something you don't agree with politely ask him to check the manual and you can maybe discuss it - just don't get too upset if you lose out.

[MPETT]

stevetvrs said:

Hi,

I passed my IVA at Bristol last summer. My advice is to make sure you take plenty of tools, jack, rubber edging, nut covers, superglue and a lucky charm!

I was surprised to find the examiner very friendly and helpful, and gave me the opportunity to fix all manner of things he had pointed out, even to the point where he would have allowed me to leave the site to buy a local part (on foot)! I had read about examiners saying things like "this is a test centre, not a workshop", but he was fine. Just make sure you are polite, don't argue and you should be OK, so long as you've read the M1 IVA manual inside out. Some points can be 'discussed' and can be open to interpretation, so if you think you are right and he is wrong, take his advice and discuss your perception of the manual.

What car is it?

Good luck and happy motoring

Thanks for the advice. I almost forgot to add the jack!

It's a yellow westie with a 2.0 pinto.

[jason61c]

Good luck.

[stevetvrs]

MPETT said:

It's a yellow westie with a 2.0 pinto.

This is a great source of info...

http://boardroom.wscc.co.uk/cgi-bin/ikonboard.cgi

Fingers crossed for you

[B33FY]

All the best for tomorrow. Hope it goes well for you.

[p1doc]

good luck!
martin

[MPETT]

SHE PASSED !!!! Am so happy, and all in under 2hours!

I felt positive when he said, ah good a westfield, We should be done in 2 hours! These kits normally fly through! Emissions were high, but an 1/8th turn of the idles resulted in an acceptable reading.

I didn't enjoy the drive along the M6 this morning to the test centre in Birmingham, but the result made up for it. I 'found' a better route home to 'check' if the suspension was setup right, and I'm happy to report that she goes round corners just fine

Now to the paper work

Thanks for the words of encouragement! I'm sure it helped!

[jason61c]

Well done

[Frankthered]

Excellent news!

[Mjpmark]

Hi Mate,

Thought id pop across from the Ultima forum, well done on the pass, i was there yesterday for my IVA i think it was Paul the examiner in Birmingham. I know how nervous the experience is.

Happy times ahead.

[B33FY]

Congratulations well done, hope I have a similar result when its my turn.

[MPETT]

Mjpmark said:

Hi Mate,

Thought id pop across from the Ultima forum, well done on the pass, i was there yesterday for my IVA i think it was Paul the examiner in Birmingham. I know how nervous the experience is.

Happy times ahead.

Hi mark,
Thanks! He was very impressed with ur car. Sounds like u spent a small fortune! She looks awesome btw!
Cheers,
Martin

[Mjpmark]

Thanks Martin,

Its a shame i was so nervous, or i might have enjoyed the test.
Have to say they were more than helpful with the test, not what i expected at all.

I have to say - you kicked my backside in regards to the time in which you passed. (2 hours)
Took me 4 / 5 hours. Great feeling though. Did you go over to DVLA to register straight away?

Edited by Mjpmark on Monday 4th April 09:12

[MPETT]

Mjpmark said:

Thanks Martin,

Its a shame i was so nervous, or i might have enjoyed the test.
Have to say they were more than helpful with the test, not what i expected at all.

I have to say - you kicked my backside in regards to the time in which you passed. (2 hours)
Took me 4 / 5 hours. Great feeling though. Did you go over to DVLA to register straight away?

Edited by Mjpmark on Monday 4th April 09:12

Well the last time it took me 2hours, but I think using Westfield's local test centre means they see a lot of Westfields and therefore know the kit, so they just look for assembly problems rather than test every component.

I got over to the Northampton DVLA and the paperwork is in. Just waiting to see if they phone me and want to see the car for an inspection. Hopefully not and the Reg can be purchased before the weekend!

[stevetvrs]

MPETT said:

Well the last time it took me 2hours, but I think using Westfield's local test centre means they see a lot of Westfields and therefore know the kit, so they just look for assembly problems rather than test every component.

I got over to the Northampton DVLA and the paperwork is in. Just waiting to see if they phone me and want to see the car for an inspection. Hopefully not and the Reg can be purchased before the weekend!

I was under the impression that you had to take the car to the DVLA, rather than them visiting you nowadays? Maybe just my area?

I had to pay to get mine trailered to Bristol for a quick 10 min check, 100 mile round trip. Really annoying seeing as VOSA allow you to drive to the test centre for IVA when the car could be 'potentially' unsafe. But you cannot drive it to DVLA for an inspection despite it having passed IVA and is in a road worthy condition.

Well done with the pass

[roger_spitfire]

stevetvrs said:

I was under the impression that you had to take the car to the DVLA, rather than them visiting you nowadays? Maybe just my area?

I had to pay to get mine trailered to Bristol for a quick 10 min check, 100 mile round trip. Really annoying seeing as VOSA allow you to drive to the test centre for IVA when the car could be 'potentially' unsafe. But you cannot drive it to DVLA for an inspection despite it having passed IVA and is in a road worthy condition.

When I took mine to be inspected (in Dorset) after hiring a trailer, borrowing a tow car with it's own driver, etc, the inspector told me I probably could have driven it there but couldn't categorically say so & if stopped by plod would just need to show them the appointment letter. The DVLA local office said I could drive it on trade plates! As trade plates are basically insurance for the trade plate owner, as I understand it, (a) it wouldn't cover me drving & (b) the car was insured anyway! I agree, it's ridiculous; a bit of a case of left hand not talking to the right hand.

Anyway, it's a great feeling once it's passed - well done & keep smiling!