Well, an unexpected twist.
Phil has had to stop the test. He came to me and explained in a threatening voice that he can't continue the test - its on A cherished plate, and has been so since August. However, those Muppets at the DVLA haven't hit enter at some crucial point in the process, and the registration doesn't show up on the MOT system so he can't do the emissions test.
He cracked his knuckles, gave me a dry slap and told me to come back at 1530hrs with the log book or he would "have" me, which I believe is another cockerney term of endearment. Apparent he can then do it with the VIN and the codemoff the log book, and it would be all "pukka", and will keep "the filth" from giving me "GBH on the earrole", whatever that means.
This is what happened to the last customer that didn't return with the log book...