[Treeve]

G'day Strida,

Yes, it is a lot easier to register cars in the UK. That's where I'm from, and I can confirm it is a lot simpler. However - and this is a big one - the quality and safety of the cars built over here typically excede that of those in the UK. Lets face it, the brake tests here are a touch more extreme than I would have expected, and it should be possible to provide evidence / calculations that the balance is correct and the brakes have been used in more aggressive manners in their original installation, however registration authorities here won't accept that. The other end of the scale, the UK tests, prove that the brakes function; it does not demonstrate that they are effective.

The UK system has some shining lights with regards to using old emissions requirements if you can prove the age of the engine (easily done based on engine number and information from the manufacturer).

It also has some glaring ommissions: there is nothing like a beaming and torsion test - so you can put whatever you like into whatever chassis you can bodge together in your shed. This leads to some terrifying cars. Lets face it - I've got a TVR 4.0 V8 in a Dax Rush. Did I have to prove structural rigidity, or safety of the seatbelt mounts? No. Is this a good thing?

To be honest, I'd love to see the entire IVA system over here, it would make life so much simpler, but there are bits and pieces of the way it is done over here that I think are also more relevant than some of the UK system.

Just my thoughts - I'd welcome others to change my opinions.

Treeve