HL Deb 03 September 1998 vol 593 cc32-3WA
The Earl of Haddington

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What steps they are taking to ensure that all vehicles produced or constructed, which are submitted for single vehicle approval testing under the Motor Vehicles (Approval) Regulations 1996 for use on the highway, also comply with the appropriate standards of the Motor Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1996. [HL3232]

Lord Whitty

The Single Vehicle Approval inspection assesses the design and construction of a vehicle that has not been type-approved at the manufacturing stage. The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986 in addition cover the condition of a vehicle. The condition of a vehicle continues to be assessed by the annual MoT test, which is required for cars and light goods vehicles over 3 years old. Vehicles over 3 years old submitted for Single Vehicle Approval also have to pass the MoT test before they can be licensed and registered.

The Earl of Haddington

asked Her Majesty's Government:

In which countries of the European Union a Vehicle Inspectorate, British National Type Approval, Minister's Approval Certificate is accepted for—

  1. a. first registration in one of those European Union countries of a vehicle produced in the United Kingdom; and
  2. b. re-registration in another member state of the European Union of a vehicle produced or constructed, issued with a Minister's Approval Certificate, and first registered in the United Kingdom. [HL 3233]

Lord Whitty

Single Vehicle Approval is not harmonised at European level, so there is no specific obligation to recognise a Minister's Approval Certificate issued by the Vehicle Inspectorate in either case. We do not know if any other member states do recognise British single Vehicle Approval Certificates. We would not expect most of them to do so because the British scheme only establishes that a vehicle is fit to enter service in left-hand traffic.

The Earl of Haddington

asked Her Majesty's Government:

When they expect to produce a consolidated and definitive Single Vehicle Approval Regulations Manual, following the coming into force of the regulations on 1 July. [HL3234]

Lord Whitty

The Single Vehicle Approval Test Manual is in ring-binder form and can therefore be readily modified by replacing outdated sections when necessary. Two major revisions have occurred since the Manual was first issued in 1996. The lattermost was issued on 27 April this year to reflect changes to some of the technical standards introduced by the Motor Vehicles (Approval) (Amendment) Regulations 1998, which became effective on 30 April.

The Earl of Haddington

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by the Baroness Hayman on 19 November 1997 (WA 83–84), which kit car and replica car manufacturers received Single Vehicle Approval by 30 July 1998, giving the date of approval and re-test where appropriate; which manufacturers have not yet received approval, but have submitted for a re-test, and on which dates; at which centres tests can be carried out; and what vehicles had been so tested by 30 July at each appointed test station. [HL3236]

Lord Whitty

I have asked the Chief Executive of the Vehicle Inspectorate Agency to write to the noble Lord.

Letter to the Earl of Haddington from the Chief Executive of the Vehicle Inspectorate Agency, Mr. Maurice Newey, dated 10 August 1998.

Single Vehicle Approval: Kit/Replica Vehicles tested November and December 1997
Location Test Date Kit/Replica Model Retest Date Certificate Issued
Exeter 15–12–97 Yes Hunter 06–01–98 06–01–98
Beverley 4–12–97 Yes Striker No Application
Leicester 19–11–97 Yes Rossa K3 19–11–97
Gillingham 23–12–97 Yes Cat 09–01–98 09–01–98
London (Yeading) 05–12–97 Yes Sprite 09–12–97 09–12–97
Southampton 12–12–97 Yes Sprite 23–12–97

Single Vehicle Approval: Tests of Kit/Replica Vehicles January to June 1998
Station Test date Test type Make Model Kit/Replica Test result
Southampton 01–04–98 Retest Domino Mini Cooper Kit Pass
Southampton 06–04–98 Test Frogeye Supersprint Kit Pass
Southampton 30–04–98 Test Frogeye Supersprint Kit Pass
Southampton 01–06–98 Test Frogeye Supersprite Kit Pass
Southampton 26–06–98 Test Dutton Mariner Kit Fail
Leicester 28–04–98 Test Gardner Douglas GD427 Kit Fail
Leicester 08–05–98 Retest Gardner Douglas GD427 Kit Pass
Heywood 20–04–98 Test Beauford Tourer Kit Fail
Heywood 22–04–98 Retest Beauford Tourer Kit Pass
Yeading 16–06–98 Test Chesil Speedster Kit Fail
Yeading 25–06–98 Retest Chesil Speedster Kit Pass
Gillingham 10–08–98 Test Tiger Super 8 Kit Pass