IVA Test

Individual Vehicle Approval (formerly Single Vehicle Approval) has been mandatory for more than thirty years by the Department of Transport for all newly imported vehicles ten years old or less in order to successfully complete UK registration. The IVA test and certification is required to confirm that an imported vehicle’s design is suitable for UK road use and not specifically regarding road worthiness. It covers everything from tyres to lights, mirrors, emissions, brake performance, seat belts and interior fittings. For vehicles between three and ten years old, an MOT certificate is also required in addition to IVA in order to complete UK registration.

Will my car need an IVA Certificate?

The first thing to check is whether or not your vehicle has a European Certificate of Conformity (COC). Assuming it was not manufacturer within the EU and/or specifically and solely for EU use, it will not and DVLA will require you to completed an IVA test in order to register your vehicle in the UK. In order to complete IVA certification, your car will require some changes to be made to exterior lighting and other items, subject to make/model and year of build.

The requirement for an IVA certificate often comes as an unpleasant surprise to people importing a vehicle. It’s not a widely known about but it is a legal requirement for anyone wishing to own and use a vehicle imported from outside the EU on UK Roads. All the vehicles sold by The American Car Garage come already re-engineered as required for IVA compliance and certification. However, if you have imported a left-hand drive vehicle that you need made compliant and submitted for an IVA Test, we will be pleased to arrange the necessary re-engineering work and testing for you.

To discuss your IVA requirements call us on +44 (0) 7481 287453 or complete the enquiry form below. Please note that the lead time for IVA testing in considerable, so it is often worth submitting your test application even before your vehicle has been shipped!