Fun and Games trying to book an SVA test

[goatpeter]

I bought a partially completed 2B off Ebay a couple of years ago and submitted it for an SVA shortly after.

Despite the previous owner's opinion that it would fly through, it failed on many items, in fact the list went onto a second sheet ! Yes I know I should have known better, but I was young and foolish, but also knew I wasn't competent or patient enough to build a car from scratch.

Anyway, over the last 2 months, I've got my act together and worked my way through the long list, before applying for an SVA.

My application was refused, on the basis that I hadn't built the car, or had someone build it for me, as I'd bought it half done, so it didn't fall into the amateur category.

(I'd hamstrung myself, as the new application asks for copies of receipts and I'd submitted my Ebay receipt)

The letter of refusal from VOSA makes no mention of the reasoning, but when I called up, I was given the explanation that it didn't fit the amateur built section, that the fact it had been tested before made no difference and the only possibility was to take the axles off, engine out and seats out, take photos and contact VOSA - on the basis that then I could rightly say I'd done the major work.

Apart from the time and frustration, this seems mad, as I thought that the purpose of the SVA was to check the car for safety ?

Any ideas or suggestions ?

Many thanks


Pete

[Dave Dax builder]

Hi pete.
If you have used the engine and one other major mechanical component from a UK registered donor vehicle (And you still have the V5) in the build it can qualify as a catagory "C" build, which doesn't require build photos.

[Avocet]

Would the previous builder have qualified under VOSA's rules as an "amateur builder"? If so, I can't see their logic. I'd go back and ask if they have an appeals procedure. I Can't think of anywhere that the regulations state that the car must have been built by ONE person.

[bill bob]

Engaging the services of Paul Jepson saved me masses of time and stress recently in getting my Tornado through the SVA. I gave up when some cretin at DVLA told me that he didn't think I needed one. Obviously VOSA and DVLA don't communicate and both departments seem clueless about most things especially kit cars. Having been through it, I'm not surprised you're having problems, but I will be surprised if Paul can't help. He advertises regularly in Kitcar mag and his office number is 01189 842303.
On the up side, when I eventually got to the VOSA test centre, it was pretty plain sailing, the test was fair and the tester was very helpful.
Good luck with your project.

Regards
Bill Bob

[browno]

A friend of mine is in exactly the same boat as this, having bought a part built locost, which had been SVA'd but failed about a year ago...

VOSA people said to him that he needed to strip it, then photograph it being rebuilt to prove it was an amateur build - which is completely stupid really, especially as it obviously qualified as an amateur build when it was tested a year ago...

Sounds to me like VOSA are employing a special kind of jobsworth these days, just to make life difficult for everyone!

Our current thinking is to take out engine, box and axle and put them back in (engine's got a weeping rear main anyway - so needs to come out) and take a few photos of it being built back up - should this satisfy them?