Hi all,
A rare post from me, because i think this is very concerning for the industry, and i think we might need to take action on mass.
Had an SVA test today, and got talking to my friendly inspector about life the universe etc. He made some comments about his job and the state of VOSA
that i find really concerning.
I think the Gillingham test station is one of if not the busiest station for SVA's in the country, mainly due to Caterham using it.
They have currently got 1 and half SVA inspectors, down from 6 in 2003. The half is about to leave, and apparently the pay is really bad as is the
annual pay increase (0.5% this year) so they are all eaving for better paid jobs.
Apparently several of the stations are closed for SVA because of staff shortages, and others are closed for refurbishment.
More concerning than all this however is that VOSA is for sale. Its to be privatised, and apparently Mercedes are interested in buying it including
the enforcement division.
I think its terrible that a motor manufacturer could have control over the testing of vehicles, and what will Mercedes care about kit cars? He was
concerned that they would want to fit garages at each testing station selling servicing etc at the same time.
I'm going to forward this to the kit car press, as i feel that we should voice our opinion sooner rather than later, as its clear that the
governement aren't going to tell us before it happens.
DG.
nice to see you back on the site.
Interesting, I knew there were problems but didnt know they were that bad...
I would have thought that all the government will do is sell the rights of the inspections to a private business.
The test requirements would still be set by the government.
Basically the Inspectors would be paid by someone else, but I bet the price goes through the roof. 
Well...after a 'quick' scan of the VOSA site.... all I could come up with is this...
VOSA press
release linky
I am not sure, as it was a quick flit/read, but I don't 'think' it mentions/affects SVA's.........
Fozzie 
Perhaps we could all chip in and buy it?
quote:
Perhaps we could all chip in and buy it?
Snappers post has just reminded me.....
I should have mentioned, in my post, that at the end of the 'VOSA linky' in my above post, that there is a 'button' if you want to
send comments with regard to the study/proposals .... 
Fozzie
Snapper,
My day job is bound by red tape so I too know how slowly the wheels turn. I must say the similarites between Maggie at he end and blair at the end
were very similar.
Brake up / privatise / demoralise by front door or back door.
Will have a word with the Brother in law and see if I can get his thought's.
but rest assured the goverment will cook and spin the 'statistics' and this will prove why they have all our best intrests at heart !!!.
Round em up put em in a feild and bomb the bastard's.
Kind regards
Agriv8
quote:
Originally posted by Agriv8
Snapper,
Round em up put em in a feild and bomb the bastard's.
Everybody complains about the government, wherever they are. But only people who vote get to do it; the rest don't count.
The privatising thing has gotten out of hand everywhere: our national police force hq has just agreed to move into a rental complex. What happens when
the landlord does something wrong (not that that's ever happened, of course)?
It always costs more, but looks good in the short term: ie. prior to an election
Any idea how much it is selling for?
just been talking to a HGV mechanic,he said that for years the test centers were in the firing line for privatisation ,could be a good plan as they
may be more organised than the state run system tho prices may rise to make healthy profits
Think I might SVA my car again quicksharp... a 2nd v5 could come in handy for the next car!
[Edited on 30/5/07 by James]
quote:
Originally posted by RK
Everybody complains about the government, wherever they are. But only people who vote get to do it; the rest don't count.
.........
My big worry is that we end up going the way of Europe and it becomes mega difficult to register a car at all. I can't see a private company or
the government worrying too much about plight of the kit car industry. We are a bit of a nightmare for them at the end of the day.
One bit of legislation out of place and we are doomed unless we stand up and make a bit of a noise and show that we aren't as insignifcant as
they think.
I have talked to Steve Hole this morning at Total Kit Car Magazine to see what he can come up with and see if we can make some noise in our
defence.
DG