Hi All
First time pass this morning - tester Thomas, very pleasant & helpful.
Good feeling, now just the jobsworths to get past at the local VRO. Oxford insist on an MOT for registration, I know that some other offices don't, but when I e-mailed Swansea, they more or less said it is up to the local offices. I think this is a bit unfair, so I'm going to (EVER so gently) appeal to Oxford this afternoon to let me off it.
Will keep all advised....
Pete

or go to a different office!

Can't really - I'm halfway through the process with Oxford, having had the built-up inspection already as Robin Hood don't issue chassis numbers.
As a matter of interest, can anyone confirm the names of VRO's which do NOT ask for MOT to register kits? TIA
Pete

We registered ours in April this year with Notts DVLA who also insisted on an MOT, so we did as they asked just to get it on the road. I complained to Swansea who confirmed that an Mot is DEFINATELY NOT REQUIRED. I insisted on the price of the test refunded , and they paid up. NO MOT REQUIRED AT ANY DVLA GET THEM TO CHECK THE LAW WHY SHOULD WE PAY FOR THEIR INCOMPETENCE

Hi Chris
Well, I went up to the Oxford office this afternoon, and politely demanded an interview with the official who wrote me the letter asking for the MOT. I stood my ground, also politely, until he went away to contact Swansea, returning after a few minutes with signs of having had a flea in his ear. Sorted - now registered and on the road.
Result. I have to say, that was the only hiccup in the entire business with the Oxford office - they were great with the BUI etc, only taking 2 days to come out. So OK in the end.
One happy bunny.
Pete

Congratulations Pete,

Will hopefully be down there on Tuesday after my SVA test a Leighton on Monday.

Will be driving for england bedding in engine on the local roads for the next few weeks

Ps. Anything that they seemed keen on at the SVA centre?

ATB Dan.

[Edited on 18/8/05 by scutter]

Hi Dan
Mostly sharp bits. He only got his 2.5mm radius thingy out a couple of times, they seem to know the feel of things from experience. They are hot on all the suspension bits at the front, also no prisoners taken with lighting positioning - my front indies only just passed the 400mm measurement. Like an idiot, I'd lined up two long bits of wood (when I was making up the extensions) and had them against the tyres, forgetting completely that they are gauged by the extremities, i.e. arches! But my wheels fill the arches fully so they only just escape protrusions, so I was about 2mm to the good. Whew.
Things like brakes and speedo readings of course are judged on their merits - not right and it's a fail. I have the Sierra inertia rear brake compensator fitted, against fellow RH builders' advice, but it was OK. Make sure the seat squab/upper belt mount relationship is right, also dash protrusions. They are a good bunch at LB, from my experiences with both my lad's Dax and my car. I was with the Dax on the test, and he failed first time, on silly little things some of which were actually the fault of Dax's designs (lower dash radius less than 19mm for example)
So go in politely, they like a bit of banter and they've got a job to do...
Very best of luck Dan, and remember although mine was a first time pass, it's rare with a Robin Hood, but very regular with Locosts. I think it is because the Locosts look so neat and tidy and are well-built.
Regards
Pete

Is that next Tues at Sturdy's then?

Glad to hear that your SVA went ok at Leighton Buzzard as i have got mine there coming up soon.

Dan, you mind if i come along on monday, I'm only a few miles down the road from the testing station and can bring tools along. Or pop back to mine if you need anything extra. It would be good for me to see a SVA test as mine is coming up there.

Will try and get up to Sturdys on tuesday too.