I took the clockwork orange back for its re-test earlier this week. After all the hard work involved in getting to this stage, it's fair to say I was a bit nervous. I needn't have been though!
I knew from my appointment that it was going to be Keith from the Kidderminster VOSA station; so like any good "enthusiast" (that's right... not stalker) I did my homework on google. I discovered that he had been quite fair to other builders of many different kits over the years. In my opinion he certainly was that!
In typical fashion it was absolutely chucking it down when I got there, so as soon as I pulled in he came bounding over to me and another chap with an MEV Exocet on a recovery transit who had pulled up for the re-test slots at 4pm (him) and 5pm (me). He was extremely friendly and helpful and told us to both to bring the cars inside quick so we don't get our beloved machines too wet!
After a quick intro I decided to let the other chap go first, as I suspected my test would take a bit longer as It would have involved a brake test, and his was mostly just edging trim and such like.
I was still unloading mine from the trailer when he wandered over and said "all done" after only 5minutes! Crikey I thought - he's had it easy... So I pulled mine in, not before adjusting the handbrake up a few turns and testing it against the slope of the trailer...
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| Pulled in and waited... Looking at Mr Exocet driving off into the sunset with his glorious bit of paper |
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| Waiting... |
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| Still waiting... |
After what seemed like hours, Keith emerged from the office and grinning handed the other chap his IAC giving him a well practised "well another deathtrap on the road"; and so he skipped off laughing into the sunset. Then it was onto mine...
I had taken the liberty of printing a little portfolio of "before" and "after" pictures for my failure points, which I took him through. I think he really appreciated that - not least of all because a) I was the last appointment in the day, b)he was clearly desperate to get back on the road for the 200mile journey home as most of the station was already partially locked up and he had his coat on and c) they were relatively trivial points in the first place. He looked through the book and seemed delighted I'd taken the time to do this and thanked me for saving him the effort of putting it on the ramp or having me dismantle loads of panels so he could see.
I was just about to offer to put the car on the brake roller... when he said "alright, all done then!"...
I said, rather sheepishly, "handbrake OK then"?
He said "yeah it clearly works I saw you got out of the car when it was on the trailer with the engine running"
Hooray. A degree of pragmatism from a VOSA employee. I could positively hug this man. Of course, I refrained.
So that was it! £90 re-test, over in less than 5 minutes. Most definitely NOT complaining, but it does make you wonder about the whole process. I then put the car back on the trailer (seriously, putting it on and off the trailer took about 40minutes, test was less than 5... crazy) And just when I'd finished with the last strap he came bounding over with a big grin and without even flinching said "oh well, another death trap on the road then"
So after just over 2 years of building... I've done it... Built a safe and road-legal car in my own shed, with basic tools, and I have to say - enjoyed every second of it.
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| Individual Approval Certificate - Exceptionally happy |
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| Still happy, despite various onlookers |
So there you go - one hurdle down... albeit the biggest and toughest one! Just need to start wrestling with the DVLA paperwork now - started that today but yet another quagmire of bureaucracy awaits me. Does make you wonder why all this couldn't be joined up into one process!! Dangerous thinking there... might be far too efficient for a Government department.
As a footnote: I decided to leave the ignition key in for the last couple of weeks just to get me through this test, and lucky I did - when I got back to base I took the key out and went to move the steering wheel and it looks jolly like the ignition barrel/lock has finally given up the ghost as the lock went "crunch" and the steering is now jammed.... Marvellous. But fear not, I have a plan for this.
Soon be on the road!!
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