chrsgrain
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| posted on 16/8/07 at 07:50 AM |
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SVA now in Southampton....
Hi all,
after missing my SVA in Cardiff recently, there are no more slots until 6 Sept, and we're moving to Southampton on the 31st of August! Have to
trailer it down there and re-organise a test I guess.
Does anyone have up to date info regarding the Soton centre, there were some horror stories, but some up to date info would be good.
Chris
Spoing! - the sound of an irony meter breaking...
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nick205
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| posted on 16/8/07 at 08:23 AM |
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I passed there in March this year. No horrror story at all, just a well run test centre with plenty of space, friendly, honest and helpful examiners
who wanted to get me through the test.
I failed first time on emissions, speedo cal, some rivets under the dash and some trim required on harness fixings.
They let me recalibrate the speedo on their rollers until it was perfect. They also gave me time to fiddle with the carb to try and get the emissions
down, but incorrect jetting meant I couldn't achieve it there and then.
The examiner (Mark) told me exactly what he was looking for on the fail points and advised on the best way of correcting the faults for a pass. The
re-test was done with 2 weeks with a clear pass 2nd time round.
I have nothing but praise for Southampton SVA and although nervous at first I really enjoyed the experience.
There's a few of us in/around Southampton and I for one would be more than happy to take a look over your car before SVA and see if I can spot
anything for you.
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SixedUp
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| posted on 16/8/07 at 08:27 AM |
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I'm local to them, but haven't used them - my car is pre-SVA. They definitely have a reputation, but whether you think that's for
being overly strict or not probably depends on how long your fail list was. After all, none of us like to be criticised, especially over something
that we've spent such a huge amount of time on.
Remember that Southampton is where the vast majority of cars are imported into the country, especially a lot of the ex-Japanese modified 2nd-hand
stuff. I'd guess they do a lot of SVA's for commercial types who are probably always trying to pull a fast one and then arguing the toss.
Their approach to dealing with that probably carries through into how they deal with us too.
However, if you don't like the idea of using them, simply apply for your SVA somewhere else. I believe there are a couple of others within a
reasonable distance - Croydon perhaps?
Edit: As per Nicks comment, contact us when you get here. We're all friendly 
Cheers
Richard
[Edited on 16/8/2007 by SixedUp]
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nick205
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| posted on 16/8/07 at 08:55 AM |
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Certainly true about the volume of imports being put through Southampton SVA. During my first test, the same guy bought 4 Jap imports in to be
inspected ranging from crappy old people carriers to a rather spanking Evo VII. The guy worked for an import agent down at the docks and that was
what he did all day every day - pretty boring I'd guess.
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iiyama
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| posted on 17/8/07 at 06:30 AM |
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Hi Chris!
Im about 15-20 mins from the Southampton centre. Have to get together for a beer when your settled in darn sarf!!
Ian
If its broke, fix it. If it aint broke, take it apart and find out how it works!
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