So after completing the paperwork I was awaiting a response from the DVSA.
I picked the two local-ish private test centres to me, Walsall and Coventry....but after calling up they couldn't get me in so recommended Kidderminster as this was the nearest official one. Apparently the private ones require the DVSA to come to then for the day so they have to have a few lined up.
So Kidderminster is over an hour away from me, seems odd that you are allowed to go that far whilst driving...so if it manages to get there and back and pass the test should be all OK! We will see if we pass or not.
I thought it would take a while for an appointment but the first one they offered was only 2 weeks away....so I deleted by a week just to have time to check everything as I am away for the first two weekends.
Pack has bee. Requested from AK so this will arrive a weekish before.
Its all quite odd being at this stage....honestly I am hoping to pass but will not be surprised if I fail....we will see.....
So - Turned up at the IVA centre in Kiddeminster - I drove the car there in the pissing down rain but got there safe an sound despite having rush hour traffic on the M6 for an hour! Slightly scary being passed by massive trucks......
The first contact with the IVA inspector was "what are you here for?" ....after a long conversation they said I wasnt booked in....
After another 30 mis 'discussion' we came to the conclusion that it was booked in and Swansea confirmed this...so all good - lets go????
"Cant test it anyway"....Pardon!!!>>>????
Apparently the ramp was broken so they could not test the car.....FFS! what a bloody disaster.
Eventually after more 'discussion' we agreed to at least test the top half of the car....
The guy checked and said all was fine apart from that the cap of the fuel tank must be tethered...I didnt agree but as i had to come back anyway then no point arguing...the key locks in the cap as stated but whatever.....also Jon then told me that the locking part is not required its just an add on as the seal is on the mail Aston cap and this is tethered.
So thats it back home again and to book a new slot with a 1 month delay - thats the summer gone then FFS! I asked to change centre but they would not let me as I had - already part tested....jesus - can it get any worse!!
So awaiting the new slot....Beginning of Sept...
So here we area again at the test centre trying once more with a working ramp.....
The chap ran through the tests not telling me if I had passed or failed - I guessed it was a fail as he pointed out one piece of harness that was more than 300mm without clipping....I even had holes there and had just not put the cable tie in.....bloody hell.
So after a couple of hours the silence was broken and I had failed : ( - although it did just scrape through emissions on average - JUST!!!!
points:
1, Harness not clipped
2, Rear brakes better than front - thus bias not correct
3, handbrake below required performance - jesus this bloody handbrake!
4, Nylock nuts - thread not 1 full thread through.
5, Light switch not visible ( I put it under the dash)
6, Wheel hitting arch on LHS
7, Brake lines too near exhaust where they run up to the servo....I fitted these before the exhaust went in so didnt realise they would be so close.
So thats it - not terrible but Im loosing the momentum now - so much on at work and home the car is taking a back seat.
So back to the garage once again to rip parts out and re-do - very very disheartening...and will now be October no doubt to re-test.
Also its costing me £90 for retest - £75 fuel to get there £150 to rent trailer (weather is crap) so blood expensive. Think it might have been easier to let AK get it tested!!!!
sigh..........
So another appointment was booked and yet again I turned up at Kidderminster.....as I was unloading the trailer you would not believe it the guy came out and said there was no one to test the car as they were sick. I was fucking furious, another wasted journey....fuel etc etc....
So to cut a long story short I argued with the DVSA and eventually was allowed to transfer to bother station to get a test. I decided to take the car to AK and get them to take it to Norwich as at least they knew the center and they were reliable......so after another few healthy scoops of £s to get it to AK off it went and sailed through no issues!!
It passed!!! Finally.
Although this has all taken the shine of it to a large extent I can at least sit back and not deal with them anymore.....well not strictly true as I am now seeking compensation....6 months in so far as they take months to get back to each mail....really poor service for something you pay a lot of money for.
So another appointment was booked and yet again I turned up at Kidderminster.....as I was unloading the trailer you would not believe it the guy came out and said there was no one to test the car as they were sick. I was fucking furious, another wasted journey....fuel etc etc....
So to cut a long story short I argued with the DVSA and eventually was allowed to transfer to bother station to get a test. I decided to take the car to AK and get them to take it to Norwich as at least they knew the center and they were reliable......so after another few healthy scoops of £s to get it to AK off it went and sailed through no issues!!
It passed!!! Finally.
Although this has all taken the shine of it to a large extent I can at least sit back and not deal with them anymore.....well not strictly true as I am now seeking compensation....6 months in so far as they take months to get back to each mail....really poor service for something you pay a lot of money for.
