Vehicle Approval Tests
The Single Vehicle Approval (SVA) scheme is a pre-registration inspection for cars and light goods vehicles that have not been type approved to British or European standards. Your vehicle will be subject to the SVA scheme if it is one of the following:
- Commercial Import;
- Personal Import;
- Amateur Built;
- Very Low Volume (VLV) Vehicles;
- A Rebuilt Vehicle
- Motor Caravans and Ambulances;
- A vehicle containing Donor Parts from previously registered vehicles;
- Hearse;
- Armoured Vehicle.
The main purpose of the scheme is to ensure that these vehicles have been designed and constructed to suitable safety standards before they can be used on public roads. SVA is also available on a voluntary basis for manufacturers and importers of motor caravans and ambulances and for light goods and passenger vehicles modified after registration.
SVA checks that vehicles constructed for non-European Union markets comply with British Law; vehicles outwardly similar to European specification models, but intended for other markets, can often be unsuitable for use in Britain without at least some modification. SVA does recognise foreign systems and components that demonstrably meet the SVA technical standards.
Most imported vehicles that are not true personal imports will require Enhanced SVA. Enhanced SVA requires additional evidence of compliance with EC Type Approval standards (or certain other equivalents) for key areas of the vehicle.
Further information can be found on the DirectGov pages.
Single Vehicle Approval Testing Stations
Addresses of the 23 Single Vehicle Approval testing stations.[This information is held on an external site].
At the Vehicle Approval Testing Station
Information on what will happen at the testing station during the Single Vehicle Approval test. [This information is held on an external site].
Motorcycle Single Vehicle Approval Testing Stations
Addresses of the 23 Single Vehicle Approval testing stations.[This information is held on an external site].
Vehicle Approval Tests
Details of Vehicle Approval test fees, including SVA and MSVA test fees [This information is held on an external site].
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