Can anyone tell me when the SVA test was brought in?

Ie. After what date did could you register your only if you had passed an SVA test?

SVA was introduced 1st May 98 having been deferred from 1st Jan cos they couldn't get their sh1t together in time. So if your ten year old cobra still says XJ6 on the V5 the MOT man can refuse to test it and refer you for SVA.