Dinghy trailer kits

[Avocet]

I'm pretty certain they only do that because they're obliged to offer both sorts of inspection under the legislation. The "Statutory" test is a legal requirement for any new trailer put into service from last October. The "voluntary" test is for trailers that don't require a statutory test. For example, a trailer built in multiple stages (e.g. Stage 1 is a rolling chassis, Stage 2 is the deck, sides and lights - or whatever), doesn't yet need a statutory test (I think they get until October 2014). Also, in a situation like mine, where I've just rebuilt my old trailer and it looks all shiny, I could always go for a voluntary test so that I have proof of compliance with the requirements if challenged. There's been a lot of talk about enforcement (because without a compulsory registration scheme, it all falls flat on its face) but I don't think anything has been decided as yet. With all the public sector cut-backs, VOSA really do have much bigger things to worry about!

One little nugget I gleaned in my conversation with the VOSA chap, is that I thought I'd been smart and asked for a copy of the braking approval for the replacement brakes I bought, BUT this is only 1/3 of the paperwork I'd actually need if I were to submit it for a test. I'd also need an approval for the "control device" (which for trailers of this sort really means the hitch) and a "compatibility report" - which is just something that means the hitch is compatible with the brakes and the declared maximum mass of the trailer.

 

[Lakesailor]

Bureaucratic nightmare.You can't prove the trailer's age. You can't get it certified because the paperwork required doesn't exist.

Sounds like it is pre-positioning before getting rid of old trailers which can't be certified, in the future.