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. The main purpose of the scheme is to ensure that these vehicles have been designed and constructed to modern safety and environmental standards before they can be used on public roads.
SVA checks that vehicles constructed for non-European Economic Area markets comply with British law. Even 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 also checks that the construction of amateur-built vehicles, rebuilt vehicles and vehicles using parts from a previously registered vehicle meet modern safety and environmental standards. It also provides an alternative to type approval for vehicles manufactured in very low volume; vehicles converted for the disabled prior to registration, as well as hearses and armoured vehicles for civilian use.
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 for comparable standards for key environmental and safety items.
four or more wheels and not more than 8 seats (either actual or declared) in addition to the driver's seat; or
three wheels and not more than 8 seats in addition to the driver's seat and a maximum gross weight of more than 1000kg; or
three wheels and a maximum gross weight of not more than 1000kg and an unladen weight of more than 410kg (i.e. not a motorcycle) and either having a design speed of more than 50kph (31mph) or an engine capacity more than 50cc.
Light goods vehicles with:
three or more wheels; and
A maximum gross weight not more than 3500kg. In certain circumstances, goods vehicles up to 5500kg can also use SVA.
Generally, your vehicle will need to be approved under the SVA scheme and issued with a Minister's Approval Certificate (MAC) if it is up to 10 years old from the date of manufacture and is not covered by either an EC or national type approval (British or similar national approval from another European Economic Area Member State).
Standard SVA will be applied to the following:
a left hand drive vehicle
a personally imported vehicle
an amateur built vehicle
a vehicle manufactured in very low volume
a vehicle manufactured using parts of a registered vehicle (for manufacturers only - optional)
a rebuilt vehicle (mandatory if first licensing and registration required)
a motor caravan (optional)
an ambulance (optional)
a hearse
an armoured vehicle
Enhanced SVA will be required in addition to the Standard SVA in all other cases.
From 1 February 2001, a vehicle is deemed to be a personal import if;
a person had, at the time the vehicle was imported, been normally resident in a country other than the UK for a continuous period of at least 12 months and the vehicle had been in possession of that person and used by him/her for a period of 6 months before importing it.
Recognition of Foreign Single Approvals
If your vehicle has been singly approved by another EEA Member State to standards equivalent to those of British SVA, it is eligible for a Ministers Approval Certificate on that basis.
You must provide evidence of the actual standards to which the vehicle was tested by or on behalf of the authorities in question.
Standard SVA
For standard SVA, all the inspections are undertaken at selected testing stations operated by the Driver Vehicle Agency (DVA), an executive agency of The Department of Environment. These tests can also be conducted by DVA Examiners at "designated premises" if certain conditions are met. Please contact DVA for further information.
Although the same items are tested as in National Type Approval they are not tested in the same way. To keep the fee to a level affordable by individuals the examiner will conduct an engineering assessment. This check will be in the form of either visual inspection or a simple test on the vehicle to ensure that it complies with the regulations.
The examination will be limited to parts of the vehicle which can be readily seen without dismantling. However, the presenter may be asked to open lockable compartments and remove engine covers, inspection/access panels, trims or carpeting. This is to allow access to items subject to examination. Also, because vehicles are inspected individually the tests are not destructive or damaging in any way.
A Minister's Approval Certificate (MAC) under SVA is issued when the examiner is satisfied that the vehicle would meet the requirements of the regulations in relation to the design and construction of the vehicle. Unlike the MOT, the examination is not primarily concerned with vehicle condition (although poor condition may make it impossible to assess whether some construction requirements are met).
Enhanced SVA
For Enhanced SVA, the items (other than seat belts) cannot be tested by the DVA because special facilities are required. (Also, for vehicles manufactured after October 2003, evidence of crashworthiness will be required, which cannot be tested on single vehicles). For such items, you will have to provide additional documentary evidence that your vehicle complies with the "type approval" standards required of mass-produced cars in Europe.
Generally, ESVA will apply to cars and light goods vehicles, for which no certificates are available to demonstrate conformity with a valid EC or national type approval, usually those that are not manufactured for the European market. These vehicles will have to meet the basic SVA requirements as well as additional safety, environmental and security aspects, namely, in the case of passenger vehicles, brakes, crash safety, seat belt installation and anchorages, exhaust emissions (including CO2), noise and silencers and anti-theft protection, and in the case of goods vehicles, brakes, exhaust emissions (including CO2) and noise. For these additional requirements, the European Standard (or certain equivalents) for that aspect of the vehicle and appropriate to the age of the vehicle will have to be met.
Some vehicle types will not have to meet these additional provisions. These are: left hand drive vehicles, personal imports, very low volume production vehicles, amateur built vehicles, vehicles manufactured using parts of a registered vehicle, and rebuilt vehicles. However, a standard SVA examination will still be required.
In all cases, SVA (whether enhanced or basic), is only required for vehicles less than 10 years old, which require first licensing and registration in Great Britain. SVA remains available as an option for all cars and light goods vehicles.
SVA FAQs