Do you have to have a steering lock to pass the SVA ? Only info I can find is that an anti theft device (mechanical or electrical) must be fitted and not be capable of operating once the engine is running by any of the cars occupants ??

I have a battery cut off switch fitted under the bonnet ??


thanks

I believe you do have to have a steering lock. I dont think just a battery cut off switch would get you through. im sure someone will be along to tell me diffrent if im wrong

The way we interpretted the SVA regs was that you didn't need the steering lock so long as you have some other sort of anti theft device as you state. I would have thought the cut off switch follows the guidelines, but we have got a nice bike alarm that we picked up with the blade engine.

From the SVA manual
"...in addition to the normal ignition switch, the vehicle is permanently fitted with an "anti theft" device that can be activated to prevent the vehicle being driven or moved under its own power".
It can be mechanical, electrical, electronic or a combination of these.
I think that suggests that you need 2.

quote:

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...in addition to the normal ignition switch... I think that suggests that you need 2

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Surely the steering lock has issues with the following from the SVA manual:

Reasons or failure

1. An anti-theft device not fitted.

2 a. A mandatory anti-theft device inoperative

b. An anti-theft device

operates on a part of the braking system
incorporating a mechanical' part that acts upon a system used to control the vehicle (e.g. steering control, accelerator control)
can be activated while the engine is running
allows the engine to be started before the device has been deactivated.
the activation of which is not a distinct and separate function from that of stopping the engine.

I was talking to a guy who had recently been through SVA & he had the standard ignition switch/column lock & he had to fit a secondary 'anti-theft' device; his solution was a battery disconnect under the dash board in the passenger side.

That's as maybe, but it doesn't answer the original question of 'do you need the steering lock?'. I would say that you need ignition and another method, which could be the steering lock or an immobilser. However, does SVA man class the steering lock as being separate from the ignition switch, being that they both operate using the key?

The easiest way to find out is to call the SVA centre you are going to use and ask them. From what I've been told Gillingham want an ignition switch and some other immobiliser which can be a simple kill switch. The steering lock seems to be irrelevant. But as each SVA inspector seems to have his on take on the regs, check first. I am trying to build from the regs as I go and also reading what other cars fail on but before I book an SVA I will speak to the Inspector about any grey areas to see how they want it done. As a final point I would say that a steering lock does not stop a vehicle being moved under it's own power, although corners would be a problem

Steve

Thanks guys, I'll call Derby SVA to ask. Reason I originally asked the question was because I have fitted some peugeot 106 stalks to my sierra column. I did this to put as many controls on the stalks rather than on the dash (figured the stalks were exempt from testing). However the wiper stalk is very close to the ignition key, so I figured that if I removed the ignition barrel and the steering lock mechanism carefully with a grinder. I could put a dash mounted ignition switch and push start button on the dash to the right of the steering wheel (also exempt from testing).

Try to be clever and make life easy for yourself and Mr SVA gets you back another way. I'll let you know once I have called Derby

Just been to Derby SVA

You don't need the steering lock if you have the ignition switch (method 1) and a battery cut off switch (method 2)

but that is Derby's opinion