26 replies to this topic

[Bungle]

Thanks for the replys but it gets frustraighting with these silly rules if a bulkhead modification is done correctly it can me as strong as the standard panel! Surely when ERA minis were made they must have had something similar !!!

if you think your car is modified safely then do the test, what have you got to hide ?

[pikey7]

this is exactly the problem. nothing is clear. no-one has asked the right questions. no-one is forthcoming with information. it's like it can be just made up as we go along.

yes i understand that you've been in contact with ace bungle, and yes i know they've contacted vosa, but still nothing is 100% "this is the way it is". it's 80% speculation, 10% bull and 10% actual fact.

as far as the ERA turbo is concerned, afaik there were no body mods for the turbo, but there is a register, so it may be worth contacting them. Even if they DID have mods, they will have been approved by rover at the time and will ONLY apply to those particular shells. If it is the case that they did have mods though, then it makes a good case with VOSA that as long as mods are done in the same way and to the same standard to any mini shell, then it was fine then, and should be fine now... if it's known who to talk to. (which it doesn't seem to be)

But who KNOWS...?

[Pitcrew6464]

Thanks for the reply pikey7 nice to have some constructive feedback will look into it,

[pikey7]

pit, you boostjunkie over on TM? just read "your" post on there.... don't assume the era mods "will do".. i don't know what they did on approval or anything. I was just saying you need to get more information and the best port of call would be the era register to start.

[mini13]

There is a massive flaw with this,

and that is a standard MPI (let alone any other mini) straight from the factory will not pass "the test",

In fact many standard production cars will not, and even if they do... screw a mobile phone holder to the dash and you fail.... where do you draw the line...

Thanks for the replys but it gets frustraighting with these silly rules if a bulkhead modification is done correctly it can me as strong as the standard panel! Surely when ERA minis were made they must have had something similar !!!

if you think your car is modified safely then do the test, what have you got to hide ?

[Pitcrew6464]

Cool thanks, looking forward to Reading more soon .......... Pikey7 thanks like I said before will look into it unless anyone on here as any experience of the ERA edition? Just was after infomation on the modifcations etc so any more info would be great

[Ethel]

We keep going over the same old ground with this IVA business. It's the DVLA's rules that would compel you to get a test & they are principally about the identity of the car (when it ceases to be the original 'n becomes something along the lines of a cut 'n shut).

An IVA test wouldn't even look at the bulkhead. If common sense prevails, if it's good enough to pass an MoT and satisfy your insurers you ought to be ok.

Neither the DVLA or VOSA are going to give you a straight answer so they won't have to contradict themselves at a later date. Which is understandable, the opinion they have to make when assessing a car or enforcing the rules should take precedence over any amount of enquiries about vague planned build projects & pipe dreams.

Don't blatantly flout the rules & carry on as normal, but be aware that it's not impossible that you could get tugged for an IVA - that's my take on it.

[Pitcrew6464]

Thanks for your view Ethel makes a bit more sence now

[Wil_h]

There is a massive flaw with this,

and that is a standard MPI (let alone any other mini) straight from the factory will not pass "the test",

In fact many standard production cars will not, and even if they do... screw a mobile phone holder to the dash and you fail.... where do you draw the line...

Not quite true, anything that was standard fit from the factory passes by default as it is presumed to be acceptable. They can only test the non-standard parts, that's the whole point.

We keep going over the same old ground with this IVA business. It's the DVLA's rules that would compel you to get a test & they are principally about the identity of the car (when it ceases to be the original 'n becomes something along the lines of a cut 'n shut).

An IVA test wouldn't even look at the bulkhead. If common sense prevails, if it's good enough to pass an MoT and satisfy your insurers you ought to be ok.

Neither the DVLA or VOSA are going to give you a straight answer so they won't have to contradict themselves at a later date. Which is understandable, the opinion they have to make when assessing a car or enforcing the rules should take precedence over any amount of enquiries about vague planned build projects & pipe dreams.

Don't blatantly flout the rules & carry on as normal, but be aware that it's not impossible that you could get tugged for an IVA - that's my take on it.

Exactly.

[Ethel]

There is a massive flaw with this,

and that is a standard MPI (let alone any other mini) straight from the factory will not pass "the test",

In fact many standard production cars will not, and even if they do... screw a mobile phone holder to the dash and you fail.... where do you draw the line...

Actually this is nub of the issue: without an IVA, Wil's response is correct; IVA's are for "new" cars not Minis. Your project build will cease to be a Mini if you can't tot up enough DVLA brownie points to avoid an IVA.

You can still build a Mini that will pass an IVA, and since nearly everything tested is good building practise to make your car safer, it won't hurt to try and build to IVA standard even if you intend to avoid the test.

[WRLondon]

ethels pretty much hit the nail on the head
such as other silly rules made but not ammended:
All English males over the age 14 are to carry out 2 or so hours of longbow practice a week supervised by the local clergy.
etc.

If you do modify your bulkhead which many have already done
the odds of it being questioned are slim to none

Don't blatantly flout the rules & carry on as normal, but be aware that it's not impossible that you could get tugged for an IVA - that's my take on it.

[wolfie]

i am sure its illigal to dance on a sunday as well, as usual the powers that be need to make it more clear ie: plain english not having to go to ACE everytime to decipher whats is supposedly the facts

i will continue to take my car to have its MOT i will continue to declare all the modifictions if someone from vosa wants to instruct me to have an IVA i will do so but only when i am instructed to.