§ Mrs. GillanTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if the checks proposed under the new single vehicle approval system will ensure that all cars manufactured and used in Japan and subsequently imported into the United Kingdom as second-hand cars will meet EU type approved regulations; and if such cars comply with United Kingdom safety standards. [30722]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonThe proposed Single Vehicle Approval (SVA) standards are broadly based on EU type approval requirements. The standards cannot be as stringent in every respect because of practical considerations; for example, SVA cannot apply the same standards for crashworthiness. The SVA scheme is under review, but the intention is that the majority of non-type approved cars entering Britain will be inspected before they can be licensed and registered here. The proposed exceptions are: any vehicle over 10 years old; and those vehicles over 3 years old being imported by individuals who have lived abroad for at least 12 months and used the vehicle abroad for at least 6 months. Cars manufactured to Japanese standards would normally require at least the following modifications to pass the proposed SVA inspection: the inclusion of an mph display on the speedometer; the addition of a rear fog light; and alteration of the fuel filler nozzle.