The SVA minefield

[Mecanist]

Hello,
Can anybody throw any light on the SVA,testing, for three wheelers, which I think, must be different to the MSVA for the trikes. 3 years ago I applied for and got a number for my project, which was age related and I was issued with a VIN number, the office I was dealing with wanted to get the whole thing done and dusted by a certain date, unfortunatly I could'nt get it done in time, so now I have to reapply. Has anybody had this problem? and could give me some advise, it would be very handy to be for armed befor I make the call,to restart the process of registration.

I know this is a mess, but I would appricate your comments on what you think is the best course of action.
With thanks Mecanist.

[Alik Windrush]

Oops too late.... Up until a few months back you could either MSVA or SVA a trike. But the SVA rules have been altered to stop naughty car dealers pulling strokes, so now it's down to the MSVA.... Which your trike will pass (so much easier than SVA) if it is less than 4 mts long, 2 mts wide and 2.5 mts high. It also needs to weigh less than one tonne.

[Mecanist]

Hi Alik,
Thanks for the help, I grabed my rule and had a quick measure up,the length unfortunatly is way out, it's at 41/2 mts, the other measurements are OK though,not that it helps. So I shall have to face trial by burocracy. This problem is sure to wreck the hopes of many! who cant meet the MSVA rules.

[100%Pat]

sorry mate, its a fail straight on if its over length, no way round it that rule is one of the few that seems to be set in stone.Same goes for the weight too.

[Mad Dog]

Hi Alik,
Thanks for the help, I grabed my rule and had a quick measure up,the length unfortunatly is way out, it's at 41/2 mts, the other measurements are OK though,not that it helps. So I shall have to face trial by burocracy. This problem is sure to wreck the hopes of many! who cant meet the MSVA rules.

You are stuffed on the length rule unless you have an overhang at the rear that you can reduce to the axle.

There has been a lot of publicity and discussion about the MSVA for new vehicles. Any builders of new vehicles should by now at least know that they have a number of things to check BEFORE embarking on a project. If they have already started within the last 18 months with no regard, then I would personally question other aspects of safety within their construction.

One thing about MSVA is that it sets boundaries which makes for a challenge to be met with some clever engineering, which in my view makes the whole thing interesting.

[manky monkey]

:o
So, apart from length & width, hazards & mirrors, can we have a very quick checklist of the basic requirements please? Rebuilding my little Reliant trike over the winter & would be handy to know potential pitfalls while it's still in bare metal. I'm sure it's been done in a back issue but just a short list of the basics please.

[Mecanist]

Thanks everyone for the comments on the MSVA, you have'nt solved my problem quite, but you have been instumental in launching me off into a bit of lateral thinking, which will solve the problem in due course. Please keep the thread going as I feel sure it will be of help to lots of builders.