The IVA was expected to be a failure, the magnitude of the failure was the question.
In the end it was a nose dive!
The early part of the testing is the emissions test this is high revs for extended periods to heat the CAT and clear the engine before testing.
However, one of the last jobs I did the night before was to top up the water and I failed to screw down the cap properly. The engine boiled after 10 minutes of high revs and pushed out a quantity of water. Yes I had driven it round the test ctr twice and it was up to temperature but the pressure cap was not tight enough so the pressure was low so the boiling point was 100 deg C, not enough for extended running. Self inflicted injury.
The inspector became nervous of continuing and causing an engine issue as a result.
The options I was offered then was they stop/cancel the test and I have to apply for the test again at £450 or I agree to fail all the non completed tests and I get a retest at £90.
He did complete the static tests and edges check so I have some feedback and most of it is good.
Bits I missed... and should have known
Fog light was too close to the stop light
You must have a interior mirror even if you cannot see anything through it
The old style Marlin 'stamped' plate with the two end characters of the 19 as the year identifier is an complete no no
(The VIN is 17)
Should have installed a manufacturers plate
I am collecting the new bits I need and will then strip and rebuild with the modifications required. The worst bit which is so un-necessary is I will need to take out the petrol tank to remove the original stamped plate and weld on a new compliant plate. He was unhappy about the chisel removed last two char actors even though I did it in front on him and he suggested the DVLA would see it at a tampered with VIN plate.
Marlin have informed me that are developing proper stamped and manufacturers plates but they may not be in my time-scale.
Note to builders
If you have an earlier 5Exi chassis (I assume it was only the earlier ones) change the stamped plate now and save one point of grief. In passing I had to scrape off the powder coat for the number to be clear, one of the few areas of the powder coat that had stuck fast and filled the gaps, $%^&*....
Must do better... I am on the trail of the re-test....