First camper Vehicle Test.

wayfarer

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First camper Vehicle Test.

· Posted: 21.08.2013 · #1

I got a notification with my road tax renewal about my first Vehicle Test due in October. Has anyone gone throught this process yet and is there anything I need to do to prepare for it. I have an 09 Adria with 20,000km on the clock.

Ally

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Re: First camper Vehicle Test.

· Posted: 21.08.2013 · #2

Not sure about the South's vehicle test, but.. Welcome back pat

wayfarer

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Re: First camper Vehicle Test.

· Posted: 21.08.2013 · #3

Thanks Ally, the Camino took a little longer than I thought.

eirebus

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Re: First camper Vehicle Test.

· Posted: 21.08.2013 · #4

Welcome back Pat, do the same as you would for an NCT test and also strip out all the weight you can from the van ,gas bottles, water and anything else you have in the van to keep the weight below 3500kgs if you want to do the LGV test anything above 3500 kgs will mean you have to do the HGV test and have relivant driving lic.
Good Luck

biffo

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Pat

· Posted: 21.08.2013 · #5

Have spoken to a couple of guys who have gone through the test and they say there's no problem. As long as all the usual mechanical parts are up to scratch they usually pass. Any rattles or break pad wear should be attended to.

On a different matter.......can ya give me a heads upon the Camino. Am heading to Saint Jean shortly to do it and to talk to someone who's been would be brilliant.

....

wayfarer

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Re: First camper Vehicle Test.

· Posted: 21.08.2013 · #6

Have PM'd you.

cMd

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Re: First camper Vehicle Test.

· Posted: 21.08.2013 · #7

Hi, I agree get the weight down , also I broke a window last year and bought one on the Internet,
When the van was tested they failed my test solely on the window not having a safety stamp,
The way around this in advance of the test is to get a window supplier like mr windscreen to inspect
The glass and give you a docket stating that the window in his opinion is safe, cmd

Hymer544

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Re: First camper Vehicle Test.

· Posted: 21.08.2013 · #8

hi, did the test in May. Its essentially a commercial van MOT and they dont take any account of the fact that a MH will do a fraction of the annual miles of a MH. If you pass first time you'll be the first person i've heard of that has. It is a right money spinner for the garages that carry it out and i'm not sure how it is regulated. By the time i'd paid 2 test fees and then paid to get the garage cert converted to a cert of roadworthiness by the tax office i'd been relieved of >110E (not to mention cost of a few jobs in prep). I have no issues with the need for test being carried out just that there should be more consideration to a MH specific test and more formal guidance as to what exactly is being tested. There is a doc in the RSA website as to what will be tested for bt it is very general and again geared to commercial vans. Allow at least an hour for the test. they will be in no rush, after all they have to justify the 48E fee! As for weight, I was 37Kg over and had to re test! so take out everything inc leisure battery water, etc and have a low fuel level etc..

CHAUSSON

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Re: First camper Vehicle Test.

· Posted: 22.08.2013 · #9

Our van is 2004 and has been tested twice and passed first time each time. You say it was 37 kg overweight? I don't understand the doe centre don't weigh the van, they sent me to a weigh bridge the first time alright .

wayfarer

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Re: First camper Vehicle Test.

· Posted: 22.08.2013 · #10

Thanks everyone for your replies. Everything comes out including the matress. :bandit:

Hymer544

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Re: First camper Vehicle Test.

· Posted: 22.08.2013 · #11

chausson, my test centre is a private garage who test vehicles in Inishowen and are registered to do so. It is obviously different in different counties, they have their own weighing apparatus. This again highlights the need for more standardisation of the test. I was with the owner of a 2006 van with 22000km. It was pristine yet failed for a side quarter window in the van door that had no safety etching! Another van from 1999, again in great nick failed for a hairline crack in the towbar mounting plate that the owner never used. He unbolted the towball and went back, still had to pay the reduced re-test fee.

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Re: First camper Vehicle Test.

· Posted: 22.08.2013 · #12

Quote by Hymer544

Another van from 1999, again in great nick failed for a hairline crack in the towbar mounting plate that the owner never used. He unbolted the towball and went back, still had to pay the reduced re-test fee.

This is a great catch in my opinion but I'm surprised the test centre allowed it to pass JUST by unbolting the tow ball? A cracked mounting plate on a tow hitch frame is a serious safety concern should the tow hitch be used in the future... Nothing stopping the owner from bolting the ball back on and towing a 5000kg boat down the road if he wanted to...

Ally

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Re: First camper Vehicle Test.

· Posted: 22.08.2013 · #13

Sounds a lot like the English way of doing things, Private Garages. In NI it is strict but honest, all government run test centres so no-one to gain from any work that may or may not need done.

CHAUSSON

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Re: First camper Vehicle Test.

· Posted: 22.08.2013 · #14

I suppose it would be a bad idea to make a list of Motorhome friendly Test centres.

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