Our privately operated testing facility gives our customers a unique service offering.
Due to our relationship with the UK DVSA that spans decades, we can provide our customers the speed and convenience of our own privately owned IVA testing facility.
Shorter waiting times
The DVSA visit our facility for multiple days each week and test only our customers' cars.
We control what cars are tested and when. Our ability to control the schedule of testing along with the volume of tests we are able to conduct means we can significantly shorten the time it takes to have your car compliant and registered in the UK.
Safest in the UK
Another distinct benefit of using My Car Import is that your car never has to leave our facility and travel to a government location to be tested, this reduces any risk factor of the car travelling elsewhere in the UK and a much faster re-test process if it were to fail the IVA test.
Frequently asked questions
What is the IVA test?
The DVSA IVA test, or Individual Vehicle Approval test, is a test that is required in the UK for certain types of cars before they can be registered and used on the road. The purpose of the IVA test is to ensure that the car meets the relevant safety and environmental standards.
The IVA test applies to cars that are not eligible for a European Community Whole Vehicle Type Approval, which is a type of approval that covers the majority of new cars sold in the EU. Vehicles that require an IVA test include:
- Kit cars and amateur-built cars
- Imported cars
- Heavy goods cars (HGVs) and trailers
- Buses and coaches
- Taxis and private hire cars
During the IVA test, a qualified inspector will examine the car and check that it meets all of the necessary requirements. The test will typically include a range of checks, including:
- Structural integrity checks
- Lighting and signaling checks
- Emissions and noise checks
- Brake and suspension checks
- Other checks depending on the type of car
If the car passes the IVA test, it will be issued with an IVA certificate, which can then be used to register the car for road use.
What happens during the test?
The DVSA IVA test, or the Individual Vehicle Approval test, is a test that is required for certain types of cars in the UK before they can be registered for road use. The purpose of the IVA test is to ensure that the car meets the relevant safety and environmental standards.
During a DVSA IVA test, a qualified inspector will examine the car and check that it meets all of the necessary requirements. The test will typically include a range of checks, including:
- Identification checks: The inspector will verify that the car is the same as the one described on the application form.
- Structural integrity checks: The inspector will check that the car is structurally sound and that it meets the required standards for strength and stability.
- Lighting and signaling checks: The inspector will check that all lights and signals on the car are working correctly and that they meet the relevant standards.
- Emissions and noise checks: The inspector will check that the car meets the relevant emissions and noise standards.
- Brake and suspension checks: The inspector will check that the car’s brakes and suspension are in good working order and that they meet the relevant standards.
- Other checks: Depending on the type of car, the inspector may also carry out additional checks, such as checking the car’s fuel system, electrical system, or bodywork.
If the car passes the DVSA IVA test, it will be issued with an IVA certificate, which can then be used to register the car for road use.
Who are the DVSA?
The DVSA, or Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, is a government agency in the United Kingdom responsible for maintaining and promoting road safety standards. It was formed in 2014 as a result of a merger between the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) and the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA). The DVSA is responsible for a range of activities, including:
- Conducting driving tests for car, motorcycle, and commercial car drivers to ensure they meet the required standards to drive safely on UK roads.
- Providing oversight and regulation of Approved Driving Instructors (ADIs) and registering them.
- Supervising the MOT (Ministry of Transport) test, which is a required annual inspection for cars over a certain age to ensure they meet roadworthiness and environmental standards.
- Enforcing car safety and roadworthiness standards through roadside checks and inspections.
- Ensuring commercial car operators adhere to driver’s hours regulations and maintain their cars in a safe condition.
- Providing educational materials and campaigns to promote road safety awareness and safe driving practices.
Overall, the DVSA’s mission is to contribute to safer roads in the UK by ensuring drivers, cars, and driving instructors meet and maintain the necessary standards.
What if my car fails its IVA test?
If a car fails a DVSA IVA (Individual Vehicle Approval) test, the owner will be notified of the reasons for failure and the necessary steps to address the issues. We will need to make the necessary modifications or repairs to the car to bring it up to the required standards.
Once the modifications or repairs have been made, the car will need to be retested. The owner will need to pay a retest fee for the second IVA test. If the car passes the retest, an IVA certificate will be issued, which can then be used to register the car for road use.
It is important to note that the IVA test is designed to ensure that cars are safe and environmentally friendly for use on UK roads. Therefore, it is essential to address any issues identified during the test to ensure that the car meets the required standards and can be used on the road legally.
How do you get an IVA Test Certificate?
To get a DVSA IVA (Individual Vehicle Approval) test certificate, we first apply for an IVA test appointment.
Once the appointment is scheduled at our testing facility, a qualified inspector will then conduct the IVA test, which includes a range of checks to ensure that the car meets the necessary safety and environmental standards.
If the car passes the IVA test, we will be issued with an IVA test certificate, which we can then use to register the car for road use. The IVA test certificate is valid for one year from the date of issue.
If the car fails the IVA test, we will notify you of the reasons for failure and the necessary steps to address the issues. Once the necessary modifications or repairs have been made, the car will need to be retested, and if it passes, an IVA certificate will be issued.
Can we help with preparing cars for the IVA test?
My Car Import prepares the majority of cars for our customers prior to having an IVA test. Our in house team of technicians will assess the car and ensure that all work necessary for the car to be compliant is undertaken.
Equally, in the rare event your car fails IVA testing, we are on hand to conduct the remedial work to have your car later pass the IVA test.
How long are IVA test waiting times?
The waiting time for a DVSA IVA (Individual Vehicle Approval) test can vary depending on several factors, including the type of car, the location of the test center, and the demand for test appointments at the time of booking.
In general, the waiting time for an IVA test appointment can range from a few days to several weeks or even months, particularly during busy periods.
Thankfully, our privately owned testing facility does not suffer from the same waiting times and issues as a government run facility.
What are common IVA test failures?
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA) test is a comprehensive examination that evaluates cars built or modified in limited numbers to ensure they meet the required safety and environmental standards before being allowed on the road in the UK. Here are some common reasons for IVA test failures:
- Inadequate documentation: Incomplete or incorrect documents, such as registration, VIN plate, or proof of identity, may result in failure.
- Incorrect or missing VIN: An absent or incorrect Vehicle Identification Number can lead to failure.
- Lighting and signaling: Issues with headlamps, indicators, brake lights, or rear fog lamps, such as incorrect positioning or functionality, are common causes for failure.
- Braking system: Inadequate braking performance, imbalance, or issues with the handbrake can result in failure.
- Steering and suspension: Problems with the steering mechanism or suspension components, such as worn or damaged parts, can lead to failure.
- Tyres and wheels: Incorrect tyre size, type, or insufficient tread depth can cause an IVA test failure.
- Emissions: If the car doesn’t meet the required emissions standards, it will fail the IVA test.
- Mirrors: Insufficient visibility due to incorrect mirror placement or missing mirrors can result in failure.
- Seat belts and anchorages: Seat belts that are not properly installed, do not function correctly, or have weak anchorages can cause failure.
If we discover any of the above items when a car arrives on site, we will quote to remedy these problems prior to the car being tested.