Bespoke Bodywork

What are the certification options available?

European Union Whole Vehicle Type Approval (EUWVTA)

This scheme is based around EU Regulations and provides for the approval of whole vehicles, in addition to vehicle systems and separate components. This certification is accepted throughout the EU without the need for further testing until a standard is updated or your design changes. This option will particularly suit volume manufacturers and/or those wishing to sell products across the European Union Member States. New vehicles approved under the EU WVTA scheme will not be accepted within Great Britain. Existing models within the Multi-Stage Build process (incomplete vehicles that are subsequently completed within GB) will no longer be accepted within Great Britain after 1^st August 2026 without a GB Type Approval.

Great Britain Whole Vehicle Type Approval

This is the equivalent GB scheme to EUWVTA, enabling vehicles of unlimited quantities to be placed on the GB market. Similar schemes are in place for manufacturers wishing to sell products within Northern Ireland, under the NI Type Approval scheme. Vehicles approved under the GB WVTA scheme will not be accepted within the EU.

Great Britain Small Series Type Approval (GBSSTA)

This will potentially suit those manufacturing vehicles in low volumes for the GB market only. However, the scheme has a limit on production numbers, depending on vehicle category. Also approval to this scheme will not be accepted outside of the UK. This route is the most desirable for the FASSI Main Dealers. As with WVTA, similar schemes exist for vehicles sold into Northern Ireland in small volumes.

Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA) 

This is an alternative to type approval. The scheme is operated by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA - formerly VOSA) and in Northern Ireland, the Driver Standards Agency (DSA). IVA involves an inspection of the vehicle by an examiner at an approved site. Inspection cost is £230 with a re-test fee of £46, plus of course the diesel & manhours required to move the vehicle to and from plus the paperwork preparation. Ability to test would also be subject to the availability of an appointment at the test centre with lead times constantly increasing.

The advantage of Great Britain Small Series Type Approval (GBSSTA) is that it allows business (almost) as usual.

Once a Whole Vehicle Type Approval is in place it enables a manufacturer to self-certify that vehicles they produce are in compliance with legislation. One of the benefits of being able to ‘self-certify’ vehicles is that extra costs and delays caused by having to take vehicles for an individual inspection and approval are not introduced into the process of producing and registering subsequent vehicles. Of course, to realise these benefits, there is a need to invest sufficient resources to develop products and control systems, and so make it possible to achieve type approval.