Failed the SVA

[saviller]

After all the clutch problems I had prior to the original SVA date, I finally got down to VOSA in Southampton for my test last Weds.
It wasn't long before the news came that the car had failed - thankfully not on a great deal, but lots of little niggles.
1) All exposed cables need to be enclosed in convoluted tubing - YES - everything regardless of whether it is already in cable wrap and cable tied - all headlamp/indicator wiring - all ingition system wiring - even the wiring in the boot for the number plate lamp because it goes across the body to boot lid gap.
2) It failed on the skid test - I now need to fit a brake balancing valve - in several attermpts, the rear brakes locked up before the front brakes - this is with a standard Sierra set up, disks front, drums rear. It did pass on the longtitudinal test on the test machine, but failed on the visibal test - Now, it may be down to having new disks, pads amd calipers, but I thought I had bedded them in OK. Not a long job but a hassle.
3) Seat belts - I had the floor pan lowered by Pilgrim, and bolted the seats directly to the floor, as I quite tall - this meant that the catch and stalk were higher than they should be resulting in the sealt bely going across the stomach, rather than across the pelvis - this is now sorted - THANKS to Pilgrim, they sent me a set of catches with a shorter stalk FOC.
4)Dashboard failed due to lower radius - I think I stretched the leather too tight, thus squashing the foam, making the dashboard too hard - simple job to fix - I'll put additional foam under the leather for the test.
5) Brake pipes need protection if fixing the wiring to them using cable ties. I did this when routing the speedo sensor wires - I need to remove cable ties, wrap brake pipe in rubber and re-fit the cable ties.
6) I got done for the radius on the end of the read nudge bar - foam and cable ties needed there.

All in all, nothing disasterous.
Pleased that all the major stuff was fine - Speedo no problem (used ETB disk) Noise OK - 99Db

I'll cross post to Stick post also.

[hawk289]

You did well at Southampton, out of interest why did they fail "1) All exposed cables need to be enclosed in convoluted tubing - YES - everything regardless of whether it is already in cable wrap and cable tied - all headlamp/indicator wiring - all ingition system wiring - even the wiring in the boot for the number plate lamp because it goes across the body to boot lid gap.".

Not seen this before?. Is this new?.

John.

Ps, Good luck with the re-test

[jeff]

just checked my sons 5 month old tin top, lots of cables not in convoluted tubing,

Is this a new update to SVA has anyone the latest updates

jeff

[Purple AK]

Originally Posted by Jeff

just checked my sons 5 month old tin top, lots of cables not in convoluted tubing,

Is this a new update to SVA has anyone the latest updates

jeff

No it just shows that Southampton work to a different set of standards to the rest of VOSA I searched the Manual yesterday, and couldn't find anything about it, Or the protected brake pipe issue

[paolo]

Are you at liberty to take the manual to the SVA test and get them to point out which reg you violated?

Seems if they can't then you ought to be able to argue the case.

[Purple AK]

You can take your own manual, Or ask them to show you the relative reason for failure in their's. However I would only recommend this in extreme cases of dispute as "Generally" they are fairly helpful and it's better if you adopt a submissive attitude.

[BILKO]

This Southhampton VOSA mob sound like a right load of jobsworths gits. had my SVA a Edmonton great blokes that apply the common sense test approach. I'm sure a lot of these testers get a bit power crazed.
BILKO

[robinj66]

The testers at Gillingham applied the same tests to my wiring earlier this year. I think it's new advice to them from VOSA. I was however able to make some "adjustments" at the centre to comply with their requirements.

I was told they want all wires in conduit to prevent any chance of fire due to chaffing on bodywork etc. Don't agree with the logic of that when applied to wires already bound in loom tape and secured to the body but there's no arguing with the man from the ministry if you want that MAC.

[gareth08]

Sorry to hear you failed but then I guess it was half expected at Southampton anyway.Does seem that some of the fail points were a bit harsh though.
good luck with the re-test :thumb:

[jeff]

Ihave put a RH2B through SVA and was closely involved with a mates SVA.

Both were at Yeading test center which has a reputation of never passing a kit car first time.

Both 2B's failed on minor points first time around which could not have been argued as they did not comply to the SVA manual so both failures were taken in good grace and humor.

But there is no point in having a manual for us to work to if individual testers take it into there heads to apply there own rules or if VOSA has decided that wiring has to be in convoluted tubing then there should be a update, if there is no update and they are failing cars on this, they should not be charging for re tests.


jeff