July/August 2003
WHOLE VEHICLE TYPE-APPROVAL
From 17 June all newly registered motorcycles, scooters, three wheelers and quad cycles are subject to Whole Vehicle Type-Approval. This is unlikely to make any difference to prices because all new models since mid-1999 have been required to comply with EC Type-Approval. Although the procedure is costly for manufacturers it has the advantage of a European type-approval system, in that a machine approved in one member state is approved for the whole of Europe. The only difference between vehicles in the UK and the rest of the Europe is the calibration of speedometers and odometers in miles. Most will come with flat dipping beams to accommodate driving on the left or right.
From April this year, the second stage of EC emissions limits for new models was introduced and will apply to new registrations (i.e. new examples of existing models) next year. Although an increasing number of machines are equipped with closed-loop catalytic converters requiring complex fuel-injection systems, some models with carburettors and air-injection still comply. It may be a different story in 2006 when Euro 3 limits are introduced, although they will depend on resolving the Modified Car Test Cycle with the new World Motorcycle Test Cycle.
One advantage of these changes for new bike buyers is that some models which are perfectly sound do not comply with Whole Vehicle Type-Approval and were being sold with low-rate finance and/or at heavily discounted prices. Examples are Yamaha’s Fazer 600 and XT 600E and I can divulge that our Chief Executive, Simon Wilkinson has taken advantage of one such offer by equipping himself with a shiny new Fazer 600. Any bikes which remained unsold by 17 June will either be registered in advance to the dealer and sold even more cheaply or held until 8 August when they can be subjected to Single Vehicle Approval – allowing them to be registered as new motorcycles.
Lower emissions means bigger discounts - good news for Yamaha’s Fazer 600 (above) and XT600 E (below)
Single Vehicle Approval has been developed by the Vehicle Inspectorate (now the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency – VOSA) so that builders of one-off specials, importers of individual or limited numbers of non-EU bikes (e.g. used Japanese market models) or dealers left with non-complying machines will not be subject to the full type-approval process. It will allow them to be registered in the UK. It involves a relatively simple examination at a VOSA testing station (not unlike an MOT) although different aspects of the vehicles construction will give the machine in question approval and allow its registration. A cost in the region of £100 is estimated which makes ownership of such vehicles affordable. It will be of particular benefit to builders of custom trikes. They were in two categories in which their weight dictated whether they were tested as cars or motorcycles/three wheelers. The heavier trikes consistently failed inspection as cars under their type-approval scheme since it required bodywork, which custom trikes clearly don’t possess. The only stipulation is in relation to external projections but this will be no more stringent than for motorcycles.
At a recent seminar there was some dissent from trike builders about the location of headlights but the measures from SVA were seen to be generally beneficial. It appears that not all EU member states can offer such a service. It had been intended to introduce SVA on 17 June but it has been delayed until 8 August along with a dilemma for dealers left with stock not complying with Whole Vehicle Type-Approval. Should they register early or hold the vehicles until SVA becomes available? Whatever they decide, there are bargains to be had.
Published with the July/August 2003 issue of Motorcycle Rider
For further information, telephone 01442 396355 or write to:
The British Motorcyclists Federation, 14 -16 Briton Street, Leicester, LE3 0AA.
Telephone: 0116 284 5380 Fax: 0116 284 5381
BMF Riderspace: http://www.bmf.co.uk E-mail: campaigns@bmf.co.uk
