Vehicle identification numbers
The vehicle identification number (VIN) is
stamped on a plate located typically inside the
engine compartment or on a door pillar. A VIN
The history, development and construction of the car body 53
of the scheme is to ensure that these vehicles have
been designed and constructed to modern safety
and environmental standards before they can be
used on public roads.
Single Vehicle Approval checks that vehicles
constructed for non-European Economic Area markets
comply with British law. Even vehicles outwardly
similar to European-specification models,
but intended for other markets, can often be unsuitable
for use in Britain without, at least some, modification.
SVA recognises certain non-European
technical standards as acceptable alternatives to the
SVA requirements.
Figure 1.50Complete body shell (Proton)
Figure 1.51Proton
54Repair of Vehicle Bodies
type-approval for vehicles manufactured in very
low volume; vehicles converted for the disabled
prior to registration, as well as hearses and
armoured vehicles for civilian use.
Most of the items inspected in the SVA scheme
are those that are tested when manufacturers apply
for type-approval of mass-produced vehicles.
Table 1.1 lists the items inspected for cars and
light goods vehicles for the two levels of SVA. All
the items for Standard SVA are checked at the
SVA test station. However, items for ESVA (other
than seatbelts) cannot be tested at the SVA test
station and therefore documentary evidence of
compliance as to be produced. The SVA test
station will then check that the vehicle aligns to
the documentation presented.
Acceptable alternatives are listed in the SVA
Inspection Manual which is produced by VOSA.
For standard SVA, all the inspections are undertaken
at selected testing stations operated by the
Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA), an
executive agency of The Department for Transport.
These tests can also be conducted by VOSA
Examiners at ‘designated premises’ if certain conditions
are met. Designated premises are privately
owned premises that have been authorized by
VOSA for their examiners to use to conduct SVA
tests.
Although the same items are tested as in typeapproval
they are not tested in the same way. To
keep the fee to a level affordable by individuals the
examiner will in the case of certain items conduct
an engineering assessment. This check will be in
the form of either visual inspection or a simple test
on the vehicle to ensure that it complies with the
regulations.
The examination will be limited to parts of the
vehicle which can be readily seen without dismantling.
However, the presenter may be asked to open
lockable compartments and remove engine covers,
inspection/access panels, trims or carpeting. This is
to allow access to items subject to examination.
Also, because vehicles are inspected individually the
tests are not destructive or damaging in any way.
A Minister’s Approval Certificate (MAC) under
SVA is issued when the examiner is satisfied that
the vehicle would meet the requirements of the
regulations in relation to the design and construction
of the vehicle. Unlike the MOT, the examination
is not primarily concerned with vehicle
Figure 1.52Vehicle identification number
Vehicle Information Code Plate — for UK/EC market only
Location
Vehicle information code plate is riveted on the toe board
inside the engine compartment.
CODE PLATE DESCRIPTION
The plate shown model code, engine model, transmission
model and colour code.
Position Description
A VIN CODE
B ENGINE
C TRANS AXLE
D EXTERIOR CODE
E INTERIOR CODE
F OPTION CODE
G GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT
H GROSS COMBINATION WEIGHT
I FRONT AXLE WEIGHT
J REAR AXLE WEIGHT
Single Vehicle Approval also checks that the
construction of amateur-built vehicles, rebuilt
vehicles and vehicles using parts from a previously
registered vehicle meet modern safety and environmental
standards. It also provides an alternative to
The history, development and construction of the car body 55
Item Standard SVA Additional items for enhanced SVA
Light goods Light goods
Cars vehicles Cars vehicles
Doors, their latches and Yes No No No
hinges
Radio interference Yes Yes No No
suppression
Protective steering Yes No Evidence of compliance No
with type-approval
standard or acceptable
alternative
Exhaust emissions Yes* Yes* Evidence of compliance Evidence of compliance
with type-approval with type-approval
standard or acceptable standard or acceptable
alternative alternative
May require independent May require independent
test test
Smoke emissions Yes Yes No No
(diesels only)
Lamps, reflectors and Yes No No No
devices
Rear-view mirrors Yes No No No
Anti-theft devices Yes* No Evidence of compliance No
with type-approval
standard or acceptable
alternative
May require independent test
Seat belts Yes No Evidence of compliance No
or visual assessment
at test site
Seat belt anchorages Yes* No Evidence of compliance No
with full type-approval
standard or acceptable
alternative
Installation of seat belts Yes No Evidence of compliance No
with type-approval
standard or acceptable
alternative
Brakes Yes Yes Evidence of compliance Evidence of compliance
with type-approval with type-approval
standard or acceptable standard or acceptable
alternative alternative
Table 1.1
56Repair of Vehicle Bodies
Item Standard SVA Additional items for enhanced SVA
Light goods Light goods
Cars vehicles Cars vehicles
Noise and silencers Yes* Yes* Evidence of compliance Evidence of compliance
with type-approval with type-approval
standard or acceptable standard or acceptable
alternative alternative
May require independent test May require independent
test
Glass: windscreen and Yes No No No
other windows outside
Seats and their Yes No No No
anchorages
Tyres Yes No No No
Interior fittings Yes No No No
External projections Yes No No No
Speedometers Yes No No No
Wiper and washer Yes No No No
system
Defrosting and Yes No No No
demisting system
Fuel input Yes Yes No No
Design weights Yes No No No
General vehicle Yes Yes No No
construction
CO2 emissions and fuel No No Evidence of compliance No
consumption (vehicles with full type-approval Does not apply to LGVs
manufactured after standard or acceptable
1 January 1997) alternative
CO2 emissions and fuel No No Evidence of compliance No
consumption (vehicles with full type-approval Does not apply to LGVs
manufactured after standard or acceptable
1 January 1997) alternative
Front impact protection No No Evidence of compliance No
(vehicles manufactured with type-approval
after 1 October 2003) standard or acceptable
alternative
N.B. May require
comparison test against
EC approved vehicle
Table 1.1(continued)
The history, development and construction of the car body 57
* Compliance with the enhanced requirements shall exempt the vehicles from these SVA items.
condition, although poor condition may make it
impossible to assess whether some construction
requirements are met.
Questions
1 Why were the earliest motor vehicle bodies made
almost entirely of wood?
2 When and why did manufacturers commence to
use metal for the construction of vehicle
bodies?
3 Give a brief history of the development of the
vehicle body style, illustrating the significant
changes which have taken place.
4 What is meant by monocoque construction, and
why has it become so popular in motor vehicle
manufacture?
5 With the aid of sketches, describe the general
principles of monocoque construction.
6 Describe, with the aid of sketches, the general
principles of composite and integral methods of
body construction.
7 Draw a sketch of a vehicle body shell and name
all the major body panels.
8 State the location and function on a vehicle body
of the following sections: (a) BC-post (b) quarter
panel (c) wheel arch (d) bonnet.
9 What is the most common form of vehicle body
construction?
10 What are the alternatives to integral construction?
11 What is a load-bearing stressed panel assembly?
Give examples.
12 What is a non-load-bearing panel assembly?
Give examples.
13 Explain how rigidity and strength are achieved in
monoconstruction.
14 Describe the location and function of the front
and rear bulkheads.
15 Give a brief description of the following early
vehicle body styles: coupé, cabriolet, limousine,
saloon.
16 What is meant by a veteran vehicle? Name and
describe three such vehicles.
17 Name two people who were associated with the
early development of the motor vehicle, and state
their involvement.
18 Explain what is meant by the semi-integral
method of construction.
19 Explain why it is difficult to mass produce
composite constructed vehicles.
20 In integral construction, what section of the body
possesses the greatest amount of strength?
21 What is the front section of the body shell
called, and what are its principal panel
assemblies?
22 Explain the role of the stylist in the design
organization.
Item Standard SVA Additional items for enhanced SVA
Light goods Light goods
Cars vehicles Cars vehicles
Plate for goods vehicles No Yes No No
Side Impact Protection No No Evidence of compliance
(vehicles manufactured with type-approval No
after 1 October 2003) standard or acceptable
alternative
N.B. May require
comparison test against
EC approved vehicle
Table 1.1(continued)
58Repair of Vehicle Bodies
23 Name one vehicle design stylist who has become
well known during the last 25 years.
24 List the stages of development in the creation of
a new vehicle body design.
25 State the definition of the symbol Cd.
26 Define the term CAD-CAM.
27 Explain the role of the clay modeller in the
structure of the styling department.
28 With the aid of a sketch, explain what is meant by
profile aerodynamic drag.
29 Explain the necessity for prototype testing.
30 Explain the use of dummies in safety research
and testing.
31 Explain the difference in manufacture between a
medium-bodied mass-produced vehicle and a
high-quality coach-built limousine.
32 Describe the body work styling of a Sports or GT
vehicle.
33 What is the difference in design between a
saloon and a hatchback vehicle?
34 With the aid of a sketch, explain the body styling of
a coupé vehicle.
35 Explain ABS as an active safety feature on a
vehicle.
36 How are vehicles made safe against side impact
involvement?
37 Explain how the airbag system works in a vehicle.
38 Explain the VIN number and why it is used on a
vehicle.
39 Name the two main types of seatbelt
arrangement which are fitted to a standard
saloon vehicle.
40 State the letters used in design to identify the
body pillars on a four-door saloon.
41 State the main purpose of a vehicle subframe.
42 Explain why seatbelt anchorages must be
reinforced on a vehicle body.
43 State why GRP bodywork is normally associated
with separate body construction.
44 List the design features that characterize a
vehicle body as a limousine.
45 Explain the necessity for a hydraulic damper in
the suspension of a motor vehicle.
46 Why is GRP not used in the mass production of
vehicle body shells on an assembly line?
47 Name one of the persons who was associated
with the early development of the motor vehicle
and state his involvement.
48 State the purposes of the inner reinforcement
members of a bonnet panel and say how they are
held in place.
49 State the reasons for swaging certain areas of a
vehicle floor pan.
50 Explain the importance of the use of scale
models in vehicle design.
51 Why are current body shapes more rounded than
previous designs?
52 Why are radiator grilles shaped differently on
different makes of cars?
Health and safety
The main responsibility for occupational health
and safety lies with the employer. It is the
employer who must provide a safe working environment,
safe equipment and safety protection and
must also ensure that all work methods are carried
out safely.
The Health and Safety at Work Act (HASAWA)
1974 is a major piece of occupational legislation,
which requires the employer to ensure, as far as is
reasonably practicable, the health and safety of all
staff and any other personnel who may be affected
by the work carried out. The other two important
regulations affecting bodyshops are the Control
of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH)
Regulations 1988 and the Environmental Protection
Act (EPA) 1990. Chapter 15 provides further information
about these regulations.
2.1 Personal safety and health practices