The IVA scheme is one of three routes for a road vehicle to gain approval and obtain the necessary licensing and registration within the UK. Its main purpose is to ensure that road vehicles are fully compliant for road use, and aimed at vehicles that don’t have a Certificate of Conformity. A wide range of roadworthiness inspection procedures are carried out to assess the ability of the vehicle to comply with Road Vehicles (Approval) Regulations 2009.
It is mainly applicable to one-off builds or small production runs.
As it relates to Trailers, these can fall into specific categories; Very Light Trailers (0.7 tonnes or less), Light Trailers (0.75 to 3.5 tonnes), Medium Trailers (3.5 to 10 tonnes) and Heavy Trailers (over 10 tonnes).
Applicants must be able to provide full evidence of compliance. As per the IVA inspection manual, this may include manufacturer markings on the trailer or component, details of the systems approved (or an EC certificate of conformity for an incomplete base trailer), evidenced documents from the authority in the origin country or manufacturer, and submission of a test report from an accredited technical service.
It might also include a visual examination and a range of practical tests. Generally speaking, the examination is limited to parts of the trailer that can be seen with a visual check.
In instances where a visual check of particular components, i.e., overrun brake couplings, is not sufficient to assess requirements, applicants will be required to demonstrate test documentation of relevant and suitable structural elements to ensure quality compliance.
In some cases, applicants may be required to dismantle parts of the trailer to allow DVSA examiners a more detailed inspection. In such instances, you may need to open lockable compartments, remove covers, inspection/access panels and trims or carpeting, for example. This is not an exhaustive list, however, and further checks may be required.
In 2015, DVSA published a series of guides to help obtain a pass. There are separate guides for light trailers and heavy trailers, each outlining the top ten reasons that trailers tend to fail and how to best overcome them. The guide tells you how each item is inspected, what to check prior to inspection, and the required standard.
As there is no MOT for a trailer, they can often end up in poor condition. In some cases, they can be unroadworthy and a danger to yourself and other road users. If a trailer becomes detached, or carries any other unknown issues, you are at an increased risk of causing an, often catastrophic, accident.
Regular maintenance, therefore, is paramount. In order to ensure that your trailer is roadworthy, major checks should be carried out every 3 and 6 months. It is also advisable to do this if you have just purchased a used trailer.
You should also carry out checks every 500 miles travelled. Brake adjustment, bearings and bolted connections should be fully inspected to ensure safety and replacements made where necessary.
For optimal safety, it is sensible to develop a routine of checking your trailer before every journey. Some of the key areas to look out for include tyre pressure, correct torque, visible (and correct!) number plates suitably attached, working lights, breakaway cables, and secure working fasteners. You should also ensure that your loads are always secure and correctly positioned.
A regular maintenance schedule will make your trailer less likely to encounter major problems such as failed wheel bearings and worn brake cables; smaller issues that may lead to these more urgent repairs can often be identified and rectified easily. Leaving a small problem for a long period of time can lead to unnecessary damage, and increase costs.
If you’ve found yourself searching for spare trailer parts and having to place multiple orders, it might be a good time to consider a consolidated supplier such as Trailparts. We carry over 150,00 specialist spare parts and help you find the products you require, all in one place. With one order. One delivery.
Aside from providing you a quick, efficient and cost-effective service, it also helps you reduce your carbon footprint as you require fewer physical deliveries and we can offer FREE delivery on all orders over £150.
Just remember, poor maintenance can end in catastrophic results, so regular routine checks should be integral to your business.
