Results of SVA test on Monday (16th).......

Unsurprisingly, the car failed its first SVA test on Monday morning... however given the eventful trip to the centre it didn't go too badly. We got a list of things to put right of which all except 1 have now been fixed - and the car is booked for its retest next Friday (27th). The test centre was Birmingham Garretts Green, and despite our preconceptions the inspector was really friendly, helpful and complimented us on the car. Overall we felt that the results and comments were fair. For reference the positive points were - nice handling/steering, looked good, not many points for a first time amateur-built.

So, here's the list of what we failed on, and what we've done to correct it for next week. If anyone has any comments let us know!

"Dashboard lower edge is not radiused to 19mm" - the tester traced for us the curve of the inspection template which they use to measure the curve. We've put 2m of pipe lagging (painted black) onto the bottom edge of our dash wherever it is exposed, ie not over the steering column or where the dash meets the prop tunnel.

"Handbrake lever has edges less than 3.2mm radius" - we've filed off the edge where the handbrake button protrudes from the lever so that it's a smooth curve down.

"Fusebox and metal bracket have edges less than 2.5mm radius" - we covered the fusebox and its mountings with a piece of foam then covered it all in vinyl.

"Speedometer clock face edge less than 2.5mm radius" - having spoken to the test centre again about this, if the dial face sticks out less than 5mm from the surface of the dash, they don't care what the edge is. So, we've sunk the speedo further into the dash rather than file/pad out any edges.

"Rear number plate light not bright enough" - this was initially a problem as the rear number plate light was in series with other rear lights. We've now wired the number plate light directly to the main loom - it means it's always on when engine is running, but it's brighter!

"Front grill has edges contactable that are sharp" - hmmm, we had the standard MK grill on - say no more. We've now made a mesh grill to replace the MK one.

"Back of headlight brackets are less than 2.5mm radius" - we had put U-trim on the front edges of the headlight bar, but didn't know they also were needed on the back, so we've put them on now. We've also done the ends, for good measure, and put tape around the whole lot to smooth off corners.

"Rear seatbelt mounting bolt heads and brackets contactable with edge less than 2.5mm radius" - we have made some natty covers for the whole of the top seatbelt mounts, using pipe lagging but covered in black vinyl (the alternative suggestion was to put those SVA bolt covers on the nut heads and then put some kind of rounded covering around the seatbelt brackets).

"Rear reflector edges less than 2.5mm" - we had put standard rear reflectors on, but because they stuck out from the rear wheelarch surfaces by more than 5mm they cared about the edges. We've taken them off and put on reflector stickers.

"Wiring under drivers dash 'insecure'" - the fog light switch wires were away from the main loom and were not taped and insulated. So we've taped and insulated them.

"Wiring from battery 'positive' uninsulated and insecure" - this was the red wire going from the battery positive to the fuse box (not the main positive to the starter motor!). We've insulated it and made it more secure.

"Emissions too high" - we've got an appointment at a garage next Wednesday. The car was also misfiring on the way to the test centre. Hopefully they will both be fixed once the garage have looked at the timing and mix.

We'lll keep you posted.

Mark and Alice.

Unlucky seems thay can be over the top on radia but hopefully we can learn form them. Good luck with the re-test

Thanks for all the details - it's good of you to post this info - as someone facing up to an SVA in a few weeks it gives me some points to check.
Good luck for the retest.

Good luck with re test and thanks for the info on 1st test,dash radius seems pretty common lately.

I really should try and get a data base of most common test fails on MK owners site or forum,maybe chrisw might put one on here too.

good luck with the retest

code:
Rear reflector edges less than 2.5mm

Thanks guys, i've got the same reflectors; i might just replace them like you did with sticker ones and put the other back later.
Did you make any adjustments for the self-centering test?
Best of luck for the re-test.


Steve

Thanks for the replies!
We have now passed. During the re-test a couple more things cropped up. We are posting these under a new topic.

All the best

No adjustments were needed for the self-centering "test". The wheels had been aligned during the MOT though.

Mark and Alice
congratulations with the pass
Jacko