IVA booking and site updates from 1 June 2023

• changing the appointment booking process for remote assessments
• adding new IVA vehicle categories to the Southampton (Northam) site

Applying for a remote assessment

From 1 June 2023 we will no longer email customers with provisional dates for remote assessments.

When your application has been successfully processed, you’ll receive an email telling you that it has been released for inspection.

Once you have received this email, please contact us on 0300 200 1188 to book an appointment.

Our customer service team will confirm whether this is a remote assessment or an examination at one of our sites.

New categories of examination at Southampton (Northam)

From 1 June 2023, you can book tests at Southampton (Northam) for:

• passenger vehicles – normal IVA and basic IVA
• vans and light goods vehicles (weighing up to 3,500kg) – normal IVA and basic IVA
• light trailers (weighing up to 3,500kg)
• lorries or large goods vehicles (weighing up to 3,500kg when unladen)

Light trailers

You can only book tests for light trailers (weighing up to 3,500kg) that have a body type that allows a full underside examination from above – for example a boat trailer.

Lorries or large goods vehicles

You can only book tests for lorries or large goods vehicles that:

• weigh up to 3,500kg when unladen – you’ll need to provide evidence of the vehicle’s unladen weight when you apply
• have the same body type as a 3,500kg gross vehicle weight version from the same manufacturer

Basic IVA

You can only book basic IVA tests for passenger vehicles or light goods vehicles that are:

• motor caravans
• ambulances
• hearses
• left-hand drive
• personal import
• armoured vehicles

The vehicle must not be fitted with a limited slip differential and either be:

• 2 wheel drive
• 4 wheel drive or all-wheel drive where the driver can select 2 wheel drive

Weight restrictions 

Southampton (Northam) cannot do IVA tests for vehicles weighing over 3,500kg.