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Guidance

Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA) inspection manual: cars

How cars are inspected when they're being approved under the Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA) scheme to make sure they're safe to be used.

Updates to this page

From:
Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency
Published:
29 April 2012
Last updated:
14 July 2025
Show all updates

  1. Updated to the latest version of the individual Vehicle Approval (IVA) inspection manual: passenger vehicles (M1).

  2. Added Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA) inspection manual: passenger vehicles (M1) (from 9 October 2024)

  3. Added Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA) inspection manual: passenger vehicles (M1) (from 22 May 2023)

  4. Added the Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA) inspection manual: passenger vehicles (M1) from 20 March 2023.

  5. Added Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA) inspection manual: passenger vehicles (M1) (From 1 April 2022).

  6. Updated to latest version of manual.

  7. Updated the 'very low volume' definition in the foreword to clarify that up to 500 vehicles can be produced.

  8. An updated version of the IVA inspection manual for cars has been published following the introduction of improved environmental and safety standards on 1 September 2018.

  9. Added a draft version of the IVA inspection manual for cars that will apply from 1 September 2018 when improved environmental and safety standards are introduced.

  10. Added the final version of the IVA inspection manuals for cars that applies from 10 April 2018 - it clarifies technical standards and adopts best practice.

  11. Added a draft version of the IVA inspection manuals for cars that will apply from 3 April 2018 - it clarifies technical standards and adopts best practice.

  12. Updated the Individual Vehicle Approval inspection manual for passenger vehicles.

  13. First published.

Documents

Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA) inspection manual: passenger vehicles (M1)

PDF, 4.39 MB, 335 pages

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Details

You can use the IVA scheme if you’re making or importing a single passenger vehicle or a very small number of vehicles.

These vehicles are classed as category M1 in the EU vehicle categories.

The manual sets out how Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency examiners will inspect vehicles to make sure they meet the necessary standards.

You can use the manual to find out more about the detailed requirements and processes.

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