RE: New MOT regs - Do you need to panic?

[CDP]

So if the airbags or ABS fails stripping the car, fitting a cage and harness might be the other legal route to an MOT. Obviously to the average owner a car like that has no value whatsoever.

I wonder how many cheap 330s, M3s, Jags and so on will be available.

This has real potential

[AlexKing]

BigTom85 said:

Its covered in the test. Check x/y/z system and warning light for usual operation, or similar.

So they have to crash your car to check that the airbags work? Anything else would surely not be "usual operation"...

[voltage_maxx]

Bluescore said:

What it doesn't mention is if the MOT covers checking the bulb for the airbag/esp/abs warning light
Few minutes ( or hours depending on the car) behind the dash and it'll sail through that part of the test.

Exactly my thoughts

[EDLT]

So far, I count three people who haven't read the entire article.

My airbag light has been flashing for about four years, shame that that is going to kill off the car

EDIT: Checking the air-bag bulb works is already part of the test iirc.

[williredale]

Stew2000 said:

I like how you saved the best line for last: "It must be possible to open a vehicle's rear doors from the outside using the relevant control."

Angle grinder?

[BigTom85]

AlexKing said:

So they have to crash your car to check that the airbags work? Anything else would surely not be "usual operation"...

They will check the operation of the Airbag/SRS warning light, e.g. it should light and distinguish when the ignition is turned on. If it doesn't then fail.

[andyps]

BigTom85 said:

They will check the operation of the Airbag/SRS warning light, e.g. it should light and distinguish when the ignition is turned on. If it doesn't then fail.

I think there are electronic gizmos which would replicate the action of an airbag warning light in the way it normally does without the airbag actually working. On one of our cars the airbag hasn't worked for so long that the bulb blew! Would be a real pain to have to replace that, but as the main use of the car from this year will be track days and hillclimbs I can see a swap of wheel being needed for that one.

[Robmarriott]

what exactly does converted for rally use mean? If I put a massive sticker with 'network q tax rally' and a number on the doors of my e90 3 series, does that mean I can forget about the permanently illuminated dsc light?

[fwaggie]

Bluescore said:

What it doesn't mention is if the MOT covers checking the bulb for the airbag/esp/abs warning light
Few minutes ( or hours depending on the car) behind the dash and it'll sail through that part of the test.

Wrong.

All cars are fitted with a self test of all dash indicator lights, so if the light does not come on during this initial test, it is a fail.

Of course there's nothing stopping you making a small bit of electronics that takes the feed to the oil pressure light and, say, TCS light, ANDing them and using the output to drive the airbag light.

[Leptons]

EDLT said:

My airbag light has been flashing for about four years, shame that that is going to kill off the car

EDIT: Checking the air-bag bulb works is already part of the test iirc.

Not if you wire it to the oil pressure lamp

ETA, Great minds think alike fwaggie.

[Riggers]

Stew2000 said:

I like how you saved the best line for last: "It must be possible to open a vehicle's rear doors from the outside using the relevant control."

Not previously a fail, interestingly. I know because my old 328i's right rear door went through its last MOT stuck fast....

[Krikkit]

BigTom85 said:

Bluescore said:

What it doesn't mention is if the MOT covers checking the bulb for the airbag/esp/abs warning light
Few minutes ( or hours depending on the car) behind the dash and it'll sail through that part of the test.

Its covered in the test. Check x/y/z system and warning light for usual operation, or similar.

Yep, so you can't just pull the bulb. Either fix the unit, remove the ABS completely (in which case it will pass) and replace with a non-ABS system, or wire up an arduino or simple circuit to light up the indicator light for a couple of seconds on the ignition then switch it off.

The new regs aren't designed to take track cars off the road, just standard ones with failing safety systems.

[Robmarriott]

In fact, I'm not sure why I'm actually bothered. I will continue to employ the 'drink in the ashtray' MOT payment method.

[Riggers]

P-Jay said:

Twincam16 said:

What if you've not got a 'track car' as such, but you've still swapped a big, ugly, chunky airbagged wheel for a more tactile sports item? Will that now be a big fat fail too?

Seems so.

Unlikely to fail. The point is that anything that has been effectively modified, and providing all traces of the airbag have been removed, it shouldn't be a problem.

[EDLT]

Leptons said:

EDLT said:

My airbag light has been flashing for about four years, shame that that is going to kill off the car

EDIT: Checking the air-bag bulb works is already part of the test iirc.

Not if you wire it to the oil pressure lamp

ETA, Great minds think alike fwaggie.

I think the oil pressure light and air bag lights go out at different times. The MOT man's computer will tell him exactly how long each should be on for.

[JackJack]

Headlights
Headlamp checks now include HID lamp cleaning and leveling systems. Any products that reduce a light's intensity or change its colour are not allowed.

Should hopefully stop a few of the people that go for cheap 'HIDs' that give a burning blue light...

[M666 EVO]

Mine failed on tyres, apparently they needed to be the same tyre per axle.

I argued that with it being front wheel drive it had driveshafts did this still count? It did.

So I had to get 2 new tyres!

[jimbro1000]

Going through MOT hell at the moment with my car. The only biggies are emissions and (strangely) windscreen wipers. The wipers need to be cleaned before you drive as there is a slight mist of oil vapour from under the bonnet that coats the screen after a while but this is classed as a fail because the wipers don't clean the windscreen correctly. I think the only option here is to seal off my catch tank's built in breather for the duration and rely on the remote breather to relieve any excess crank pressure.

The emissions on the other hand is a huge problem - previously it has passed without any great issue but that testing station was 250 miles away and the locals aren't so understanding. First of all I had to argue that the engine is pre-1992 and doesn't need a cat, this is falling on deaf ears and it wasn't until I produced line and verse from the MOT rules (section 7.3, page 1, paragraph 8 if you must know) that I even had a foot in the door, now though I need the engine number but the block was decked and the engine number removed, all paperwork is long, long gone largely because it wasn't an issue previously. My friendly workshop has suggested obtaining a valid engine number and getting it stamped on, it might solve the problem in the long run but isn't helping now...

I've also knocked about 5% off the fuelling at idle to give the car a better chance.

Strangely there was no mention of the wheels rubbing slightly on full lock (supposed to be a failure).

[Output Flange]

M666 EVO said:

Mine failed on tyres, apparently they needed to be the same tyre per axle.

I argued that with it being front wheel drive it had driveshafts did this still count? It did.

So I had to get 2 new tyres!

I assume you mean size rather than brand?

[Robmarriott]

M666 EVO said:

Mine failed on tyres, apparently they needed to be the same tyre per axle.

I argued that with it being front wheel drive it had driveshafts did this still count? It did.

So I had to get 2 new tyres!

They have to be the same pattern. Ie. you can't have a directional one and an assymetrical one on the same 'axle'. Actual brand and model number shouldn't matter.

Same applies for tyre construction and size...