The background to this is that a few years ago the government (at the behest of the motor industry) decided to clamp down on imports of Japanese-market used cars by introducing an Enhanced Single Vehicle Approval test which all RHD cars manufactured after Jan.1st 1997 must pass. For the ESVA you require a 'model report' (basically a full technical report for that model of car, including crash test data). ESVA is not required for LHD cars (e..g. from the US) because the industry does not perceive LHD imports to be much of a threat and therefore the government leave them alone.
Now, I was recently asked to do a repair on an Ultima (this is a kit car, with large GM V8 engine and Holley carbs) and spoke to the owner about how he got it approved (it had many non-standard features). Apparently it was registered on a Q-plate and went through SVA as a 'kit car'. So this gets me wondering....could I import a late-model from Japan and put it through SVA as a 'kit car' and so avoid the bother of ESVA and a model report?
If anyone knows anything about (E)SVA and kit car approval I would be most interested.
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Many of the sites that host clubs for Japanese import cars have discussions and information on ESVA. One that I know of is www.clubVR4.com
I understand that once a 'model report' has been produced, it can be used for other imports that are exactly the same. The problem is that many imports from Japan are modified, which can derail the process. Importing an unmodified car would be the best solution.
I imagine that the kit car clubs will have information on their side of the story too.
I agree with your opinion in the first paragraph. Britain and Australia have done all they can to avoid used Japanese imports. They have probably seen used Japanese (and Korean) imports completely change the face of New Zealand motoring. Previously, a few importers became very wealthy controlling the dribble of new cars allowed into the country. Now the average person can afford a much better (and safer) car, and we aren't the joke of the motoring world that we once were.
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The problem with 'model reports' is that they are only available for a few cars. I would like to import a 2000/2001 Mitsubishi FTO (great little cars!) into the UK and there is no model report available. I'm off to Japan later this year and would like to use the opportunity to inspect a few cars and then buy one and arrange shipping.
BTW, I've been to NZ and seen the way used Japanese cars have changed things down there!
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The ESVA is a problem without the appropriate model report,but as with most rules there are ways around the problem.
I have never thought about the kitcar route,that would need just an ordinary sva test which is very straight forward.
If you are going to Japan you could always organise the paper work to make the car qualify as a personal import,this would then just need an ordinary sva.
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The ESVA is a problem without the appropriate model report,but as with most rules there are ways around the problem. I have never thought about the kitcar route,that would need just an ordinary sva test which is very straight forward. If you are going to Japan you could always organise the paper work to make the car qualify as a personal import,this would then just need an ordinary sva.
T Lucas, thanks for your input.
Have you managed to get any cars through ESVA without a model report? The kitcar route seems a possibility to me.
I think doing a personal import from Japan would be difficult. I'm only going to be there a couple of weeks and I think I would need to have the car on the road (registered to me) to make it a personal import - this would be difficult I think. I don't speak or read any Japanese.
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From the DFT website:
Since 1 August 2001 there have been two levels of SVA: Standard and Enhanced.
Standard SVA will be applied in cases where the number of affected vehicles is expected to be low and we can accept that the very demanding safety and environmental standards of type approval will not be undermined.
The enhanced inspection (ESVA) will be applied in other cases - i.e. where the number of vehicles entering service warrants type approval or comparable standards for key environmental and safety items.
Having put a kit car through SVA just over a year ago, its certainly not a straightforward process and I don't know how easily a production car would go through. There are lots of regulations on light positions/markings, sharp edges etc. that are fairly simple to sort out while building a car but potentially very difficult to rectify on a production car. I've no idea how different it is to ESVA though.
You're best bet may be giving your local (E)SVA test station a ring and having a chat with one of the inspectors.
If you haven't already found them, there's more information on SVA/ESVA at:
www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_roads/documents...p
www.vosa.gov.uk/vosa/carlgvowners/importingandbuil...m
www.totalkitcar.com/tech_registration.php
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Aprilia,
This looks useful
www.epoi.com/faq.html
I was in this situation in 2001 wanting to bring a car back from Oz but these changes were all happening as I invesitgated and nobody was set up ready to handle the SVA test. In the end I managed to sell the car before coming back so didnt bother.
I later found specialist companies who do the preparation and arrange testing. Will try and find the details again
StarGazer
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Just checked my references....my car was classed as a personal import, therefore didnt need type approval and could have used the standard SVA test.
If the car is not a personal import then will require ESVA test
(details of personal import rules on dvla website) but basically you must have been living abroad, owned the car for a period, personally imported the car and intend to reside and own the car in the UK.
StarGazer
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Aprilia - I would have thought the route of least hassle would be to import a 1996 FTO.
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I have only ESVA'd cars that require it with a model report,this has to be rented from the person that owns it.Ordinary sva is a doddle on any Japanese car,and the ESVA is simple,if you have a model report.
There are loopholes still,ambulance,hearse,motorcaravan etc,but it can be difficult.
It is still possible to SVA any car as a personal import,this is not as difficult as it might appear when read the VRO website.
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Along the same lines and if you can find one, Mitsubishi did briefly import the FTO into the country semi-officially around 2000. Not sure what the spec on them was though and it might be quite a long way behind a Japanese market version.
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I was hoping to get one of the last ones (2000/2001). Sadly it appears that the industry have done a good job of making life difficult. To get one in as a personal import it seems that the car has to be used for 6 months by the individual importing it - and the individual must have lived abroad for 12 months. I think a few years back you could just drive it on foreign roads and then bring it in. Looks like I've no chance on this one.
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Aprilia,
try talking to someone at Mildenhall Auto Centre
www.mildenhallautocentre.co.uk/
They specialise in getting US cars through the SVA but may be able to help you with ESVA.
Kevin...
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Thanks, but US cars (being LHD) don't have to go through ESVA. Its RHD cars that the government is trying to stop coming in, so cars from Japan are subject to ESVA.
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They may be able to point you in the right direction tho'.
Worth a phone call surely?
Kevin...
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Not all vehicles in the US are LHD - the US Postal service has been using RHD Jeeps for a very long time, and at one time Jeep produces a 2WD Jeep just for the Post.
See tinyurl.com/8df6e
Try importing one, and see the confused look on their faces!
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Does ESVA apply to RHD imports into mainland europe? Is there scope for an entrepeneurial type to set up some kind of clearing house in a suitable EU mainland country?
Failing that (and this is a long shot) this has to be an anti-competitive practice and exactly the sort of thing the EU was meant to be addressing when the issue of block exemption came up. One for your MEP? Would be nice to think of one of them actually working for a change.
Of course there is always human rights legislation...... It has to have a *real* use for normal people as opposed to being a loophole for the loonies of this world to pursue their unusual agendas.
::Mental note to self. Look into how to get selected to stand as an MEP for a mainstream party::
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This is going seriously off topic, but you can also convert your LHD Cherokee in the US to RHD so you can leap out onto the kerb. This is what it looks like...
www.righthanddrivejeeps.com/photos/cher6.html
Horrifying, no?
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