Speedometer & MOT's
Discussion
I am looking to fit one of these stereos in my Mini R56 - https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005004165805823.h...
It will replace the speedometer. It will display the speed on the display if I wish it to, also the speed can be displayed on the rev counter LCD display.
My question is does it need to have a permanent speedo to pass the MOT? As neither of what I mentioned is permanent (ie I can turn it off)
It will replace the speedometer. It will display the speed on the display if I wish it to, also the speed can be displayed on the rev counter LCD display.
My question is does it need to have a permanent speedo to pass the MOT? As neither of what I mentioned is permanent (ie I can turn it off)
MOT inspection manual: cars and passenger vehicles
7.8 Speedometer
You must check the speedometer of vehicles first used on or after 1 October 1937 with a maximum speed above 25mph. You do not need to check Class 3 vehicles.
If a road test is needed, for example to carry out a decelerometer test, you must check whilst driving that the speedometer is working.
If a road test is not necessary, you should only reject a speedometer if it’s clearly not working.
Speedometers do not need to be lit on:
-- vehicles with no front or rear position lamps
-- vehicles that have front or rear positions lamps that are permanently disconnected, painted over or masked
You can accept a tachograph as an alternative to a speedometer if it satisfies the requirements of this inspection.
Defect Category
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/mot-manu...
7.8 Speedometer
You must check the speedometer of vehicles first used on or after 1 October 1937 with a maximum speed above 25mph. You do not need to check Class 3 vehicles.
If a road test is needed, for example to carry out a decelerometer test, you must check whilst driving that the speedometer is working.
If a road test is not necessary, you should only reject a speedometer if it’s clearly not working.
Speedometers do not need to be lit on:
-- vehicles with no front or rear position lamps
-- vehicles that have front or rear positions lamps that are permanently disconnected, painted over or masked
You can accept a tachograph as an alternative to a speedometer if it satisfies the requirements of this inspection.
Defect Category
| (a) | Speedometer not fitted where one is required | Major |
| (b) | Speedometer: | |
| (i) operation impaired | Minor | |
| (ii) not working | Major | |
| (c) | Speedometer: | |
| (i) not sufficiently illuminated | Minor | |
| (ii) not illuminated | Major |
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/mot-manu...
GasEngineer said:
A lot of vehicles now come with the option of an entirely digital dash screen - ie no speedo at all.
So presumably not an issue.
Yebbut, Nobbut. Even a Tesla (for example) which has no dials, does not have the ability to turn the speedometer off - it's always displayed when moving.So presumably not an issue.
GasEngineer said:
A lot of vehicles now come with the option of an entirely digital dash screen - ie no speedo at all.
So presumably not an issue.
The speedo must be on and functioning as intended when the vehicle is being used. The digital dash screens come on instantly when you turn the ignition on and and the speedometer display can't be switched off. So presumably not an issue.
For the OP: No speedo display, MOT fail. There's an MOT tester thread if you want to ask there as well.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
QuickQuack said:
The speedo must be on and functioning as intended when the vehicle is being used. The digital dash screens come on instantly when you turn the ignition on and and the speedometer display can't be switched off.
For the OP: No speedo display, MOT fail. There's an MOT tester thread if you want to ask there as well.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
If the OP has the speedo set to display when it’s going in for its MOT then surely that will satisfy the criteria?For the OP: No speedo display, MOT fail. There's an MOT tester thread if you want to ask there as well.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
That’s assuming that the unit gives the option of being permanently on. I’d say it would fail if it requires ‘turning on’ whenever you start the car but otherwise how is the tester to know there is even an option to turn it off.
Sure I heard of a car passing recently with a digital GPS and wheel sensor fed speedo on what was basically an Android phone in a housing over the normal dials on an older car, after modifying it to show the dash lights on the screen on start up. Possibly as information is there and no rule against custom dials etc..
Edit: I think they used ODB2 port and Torque App to do it with a bit of customization.
Edit: I think they used ODB2 port and Torque App to do it with a bit of customization.
Edited by NFT on Monday 11th December 11:28
Drawweight said:
If the OP has the speedo set to display when it’s going in for its MOT then surely that will satisfy the criteria?
That’s assuming that the unit gives the option of being permanently on. I’d say it would fail if it requires ‘turning on’ whenever you start the car but otherwise how is the tester to know there is even an option to turn it off.
Yes, if it has that function, i.e., to be on immediately when you start the car and doesn't require you to switch it on/switch to it from an other screen, it probably would pass the MOT as the tester wouldn't be able to tell otherwise. However, if it removes the speedometer display everytime you want to look at the mpg, change tracks, change volume etc., then technically it's not allowed. Granted, chances of being caught would be slim to none, but it wouldn't be something I would do. That’s assuming that the unit gives the option of being permanently on. I’d say it would fail if it requires ‘turning on’ whenever you start the car but otherwise how is the tester to know there is even an option to turn it off.
Drawweight said:
If the OP has the speedo set to display when it’s going in for its MOT then surely that will satisfy the criteria?
That’s assuming that the unit gives the option of being permanently on. I’d say it would fail if it requires ‘turning on’ whenever you start the car but otherwise how is the tester to know there is even an option to turn it off.
Is the correct answer.That’s assuming that the unit gives the option of being permanently on. I’d say it would fail if it requires ‘turning on’ whenever you start the car but otherwise how is the tester to know there is even an option to turn it off.
FFS, read the reasons for failure in the MOT manual.
Two questions really.
1) Is it legal?
2) Does it actually do the job of telling you how fast you are going?
Personally I like a no-nonsense needle or big digits, that looks like a little number munged in with the radio display.
If you want a big android display where the speedo used to be, then maybe add a separate GPS speedo or something?
1) Is it legal?
2) Does it actually do the job of telling you how fast you are going?
Personally I like a no-nonsense needle or big digits, that looks like a little number munged in with the radio display.
If you want a big android display where the speedo used to be, then maybe add a separate GPS speedo or something?
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