SVA & steering

[Damian]

Hello, my Surf goes in for the SVA test at the end of April so I was just browsing the SVA website and I came across that a 4x4 with a seperate chassis requires a special report on the steering, can anyone enlighten me on this one & advise what I need to do???

Whilst I'm here, here's another question, tailgates. How many tailgates can a manufacture make for a single vehicle? I have the 'hearse' type on mine, (no No plate fixing nor wheel carrier), was this a std option from Toyota?

Cheers, Damian.

[Koi]

Hello, my Surf goes in for the SVA test at the end of April so I was just browsing the SVA website and I came across that a 4x4 with a seperate chassis requires a special report on the steering, can anyone enlighten me on this one & advise what I need to do???

Whilst I'm here, here's another question, tailgates. How many tailgates can a manufacture make for a single vehicle? I have the 'hearse' type on mine, (no No plate fixing nor wheel carrier), was this a std option from Toyota?

Cheers, Damian.

Two types for the Surf/Runner, drop down tail gate/up & over both with drop down electric rear window & with/without rear mounted spare. With under slung spare the number plate fixes bang in the middle of the tail gate with reversing lights either side. Rear mounted spare the plate etc is mounted off to one side.
As for the special report on the steering thats new to me, although I have never put one through an SVA several people on here have and I haven't heard that mentioned before.

Take a look on the gallery on the web site at some pics of our motors, you will see where the plate fixes.

[Sewerat]

Damian,
First before worrying about SVA's, what is the year of registration of your Surf in Japan, it may not need a SVA.

All cars over 10 years of age, that is 10 years from registration date in Japan do not need a SVA.
For example : Surf registered in Japan 1st April 1994 - no SVA needed
: Surf registered in Japan 2nd April 1994 - needs a SVA

In practice of course you would wait until after 2nd April 2004 to register the example thereby not requiring a SVA.
SVA can cost upwards of £ 500 depending on who you get to do it, plus can take 2 /3 weeks sometimes if not booked in advance for its test.
A vehicle approval test ESVA would cost another £ 300 - £ 400 depending again on who you are using, but you may not require a ESVA vehicle approval, depends on age of Surf.

So if say the 10 year period ends in say 2 / 3 months, i'd wait & spend that period doing the servicing, timing belt, coolant flush etc etc etc.
For that matter you could keep your Surf for years & not register her, takes the joy out of owning one though & not being able to drive her.


Sewerat Bob

[andy]

Hello, my Surf goes in for the SVA test at the end of April so I was just browsing the SVA website and I came across that a 4x4 with a seperate chassis requires a special report on the steering, can anyone enlighten me on this one & advise what I need to do???

Whilst I'm here, here's another question, tailgates. How many tailgates can a manufacture make for a single vehicle? I have the 'hearse' type on mine, (no No plate fixing nor wheel carrier), was this a std option from Toyota?

Cheers, Damian.

The model report should be sent off with the SVA application,and if you have the appointment already they should have asked you for one,so it might be worth ringing the test centre where it's booked in.

You need to contact one of the companies that own the reports,and they will send you a letter of authorisation for a fee,you dont actually get the full report as the SVA people hold them,but you just need the letter.

I use http://www.importedvehicles.co.uk/ and it cost's £50 to rent it.

[Damian]

Hmmmm, it was registered Dec 94, nice idea but I don't want.... CAN'T wait that long to use it!!

It's booked in for it's SVA, end of April, cost £150.

What do these companies do for £500, surely it's not just a fog lamp and a new speedo sticker?

More questions to follow....

Cheers, Damian