Immobiliser / alarm sanoiy check for IVA

Immobiliser / alarm sanoiy check for IVA

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drivin_me_nuts

Original Poster:

17,949 posts

211 months

Friday 28th March 2014
quotequote all
Hi all,

a late friday sanity check please.


1. Can I confirm, the Ultima qualifies for the basic IVA (low vol manufacturer)

2. An imobiliser IS required and, providing there is a certification from a MESF or TRI accredited installer, that's all the evidence required.

3. An Alarm is not required for IVA.

Right, we're at the stage now where the installing the imobiliser/alarm is easier than it otherwise would be.

So, here's the final question...


4. If an Imobiliser AND Alarm are fitted, does the Alarm and Immobliser have to be Thatcham apaproved (proving tricky to find someone to do this) or is it just the case that the MESF / TRI installer certificates is enough. In other words, does the Alarm require a thatcham certificate for IVA?

Cheers,

DMN

356Speedster

2,293 posts

231 months

Friday 28th March 2014
quotequote all
Here's my IVA experience from last yr....

Yes it's only the basic IVA and I'd strongly recommend going to the Notts centre as they're used to seeing these cars, so won't be confused by it or knit pick at silly things. I was done and dusted in 45mins, no arguments, challenges or issues, it was a complete non-event vs some of the horror stories I'd read previously.

For IVA a car needs either a steering lock or immobiliser. Unless you've added the former, then you'll need the latter! There is no need for any paperwork, the tester will just want to see it works and prevents the car from being started.

IVA doesn't require a Thatcham compliant unit, but if you're fitting an a alarm, your do need an installer certificate.

I have a Cat1 alarm and immobiliser as well as a fully electronic ignition and keyless start. As I wanted everything fully integrated into the harness, I was never going to be able to get an installation cert. Instead I disconnected the siren for the IVA test and went in with the immobiliser only, demo'd it working, got my cert, went home and reconnected the alarm. Job done smile

Edited by 356Speedster on Saturday 29th March 08:52

Storer

5,024 posts

215 months

Friday 28th March 2014
quotequote all
No IVA experience but a bit of insurance experience.

My insurer, CCI, requires an immobiliser but not an alarm.

However, if the value of the car is over £40K they will require a tracker fitted by an approved installer (with certificate). I think these have taken over from alarms and you need to check with your insurers if the tracker you choose is approved by them. They are not cheap and require an annual subscription so it may be worth checking if you can delete the alarm and save the money for the tracker.

Let's face it, most people ignore alarms but I have found the tracker works, even in France when I had an earth issue with the battery.


Paul

deadscoob

2,263 posts

260 months

Friday 28th March 2014
quotequote all
I had a pretty much identical experience to 356dpeedster.

Notts for defo if you can.

Steve_D

13,746 posts

258 months

Friday 28th March 2014
quotequote all
Just to confirm what has been said.
Yes you will need an immobiliser but you don't need any paperwork/cert.
If you also have an alarm you will need the correct instal certification.

Steve

356Speedster

2,293 posts

231 months

Saturday 29th March 2014
quotequote all
Edited my post to make it read a bit better... blame iPad fingers, LOL!

Regarding the tracker, having just done the big ring around for renewal, CCI were the only ones who wanted a tracker and their price was waaaay to high, so they were never a contender for me. Even with the value of my car, other insurers weren't fussed and never offered any discounts. That's not to say a tracker doesn't have value, it's good piece of mind and there are plenty of options out there that cost sensible money and give you personal tracking (rather than subs based).

The other thing I found with insurance & security was that companies were happy to take evidence of install in the form of the documentation that came with the unit and then photos of the car's build showing how it was integrated into the loom.

drivin_me_nuts

Original Poster:

17,949 posts

211 months

Saturday 29th March 2014
quotequote all
Chaps,

Thanks for taking the time to reply, much appreciated.

Cheers,

DMN

GarethGTR

303 posts

171 months

Saturday 29th March 2014
quotequote all
Hi

My experience if it counts....

I had a nightmare with IVA. I had 'one of those' type of chaps. Ended up going back about 12 times. Mostly stupid things, like "you can't use cable ties to hold breather pipes or anything else, they are called CABLE ties Sir"
yes, seriously!

Oh and you will LOVE this one: Speedo failed because it was too accurate! I kid you not. It read EXACTLY the correct speed. He said it MUST read over. SO I added speed * 0.97% to my code and it passed.

Noise was a nightmare. I ended up having a 1" hole and stupid amount of silencers. It was so quiet that you genuinely did not know if it was running or not. I mean quieter than the quietest road car. And still it failed. I pointed out to him that the force of air was hitting the diaphragm of the test mic and thereby making crazy readings (like 110db!!). He said "I have no leeway, I must go by what the meter says". FOUR tests later with certs from a sound chamber and he said he would 'overlook' it.

Then he said tat the fuel tank cannot be in same compartment as the engine, and failed it. After frantic calling between me, the factory and the head IVA technician this magically disappeared off the fail list on the next test.

I mean my son (who helped me build the car) had a day off school, so I took him to one of the tests. We arrived an hour early and the place was deserted. I could see him looking at us from his desk and so I asked if he could test a bit earlier. He said no.
When the time came he came out and said "fail" I was gob smacked and asked why, he said that minors can't be in the test center - but the $"£%^£"^"%$£&^ was watching us for an hour before.

Anyway, I digress.

I had an immobilizer cert, but he did not want to see it. He only wanted to see that it worked.

I think it works like this:
Cat 1: Alarm and immobilizer
Cat 2: Immobilizer only


I would strongly suggest following the advice about which test center to go to. I had to walk away a few times (many times) to stop me calling this chap what he was......

Yes, it would not have passed first time, but would have second time. Instead I spent a fortune on pathetic retests - beware!

GOOD LUCK! When u pass it is an amazing feeling.

Gareth

UltimaCH

3,155 posts

189 months

Saturday 29th March 2014
quotequote all
Sounds similar to what you can find in certain testing centers in my country...

Storer

5,024 posts

215 months

Saturday 29th March 2014
quotequote all
Am I right in thinking that the IVA/SVA test is carried out at VOSA Test centres?

If this is the case, our local VOSA centre closes in July and testing will take place at local HGV garages equipped with the required test equipment. The tester will be employed by VOSA (or it's new equivalent) and will work out of different garages over the week. I know this as we have a 7.5t Horsebox that requires testing by VOSA.

Gareth
I suggest you write to the head of VOSA and list your issues with the tester (and name him) because people like him need to be weeded out of a position of power that he obviously wielded with considerable prejudice.


Paul

drivin_me_nuts

Original Poster:

17,949 posts

211 months

Sunday 30th March 2014
quotequote all
I never would have thought that those testing cars would let their own personal failings and jealousies get in the way of their job. There's no place for that at all.

UltimaCH

3,155 posts

189 months

Sunday 30th March 2014
quotequote all
The tester must be a very very frustrated person. Perhaps he doesn't get his fill at home. As mentioned, those type need to be weeded out and put in a place they deserve.

eastwoodjon

2 posts

42 months

Tuesday 20th October 2020
quotequote all
So reading all the comments, would I be correct in thinking - Yes you need to fit one and as long as it has a cert I can fit it myself?

building a 356 speedster from speedster clinic




Steve_D

13,746 posts

258 months

Tuesday 20th October 2020
quotequote all
First question is does it have a steering lock? If so then that is all you need for IVA.

You can fit an immobiliser yourself (no certificate) and that will do for IVA. The immobiliser must set itself automatically typically 40 seconds after you turn off ignition. This auto setting is why you can't use a crock-lock or locking handbrake.

If you also have an alarm then it must be installed and certificated by a profesional installer.

Steve

eastwoodjon

2 posts

42 months

Tuesday 20th October 2020
quotequote all
nope it doesn't have a steering lock

so will fit the immobiliser

I think its a safe bet considering its going to be a soft top car!

:-)