Quick MOT question

[Rollcage]

I'm normally OK on MOT questions, but I'm not sure on this one.

The centre inertia reel rear belt on my Mondeo is jammed solid, and I can't get hold of a replacement easily. If I simply remove the belt completely (buckle and belt), thus turning it into a four seat car, will this placate my MOT tester? It failed on the belt the other day.

[Fleckers]

its listed as a 5 seat car so 5 working belts are required

[StevenB]

Could well be wrong but i remember a tester telling me if the rear seat is not fitted ie removed, the vehicle is tested "as is" and a note to that effect put on the paperwork

[tercelgold]

I think you have to have a seat belt for forward facing seats, removing the seats might work.

[Rich_W]

Take the belt out. Can't fail what isn't there.

[Athlon]

If the seat is not fitted the belt is not testable, you would (should) be advised the seat is missing!

One thing to try if it is the crappy belt that fits into the seat back is to pull the seat back forward and whack it hard back into place, this can shock the retainer and free the belt...

[Bacon Is Proof]

Athlon said:

If the seat is not fitted the belt is not testable

This is my experience also.

[Rollcage]

Ok, so so it looks like if the seat is there, then the belt needs to work. Best get the spanners out in the morning!

[WhoseGeneration]

Rollcage said:

I'm normally OK on MOT questions, but I'm not sure on this one.

The centre inertia reel rear belt on my Mondeo is jammed solid, and I can't get hold of a replacement easily. If I simply remove the belt completely (buckle and belt), thus turning it into a four seat car, will this placate my MOT tester? It failed on the belt the other day.

Ok, rear centre belt, no pretensioner presumably and this advice is provided upon the basis that it is your responsibility to ensure that the seat belt will work after you have looked at it.
It is worth trying removing the belt container, removing the end cap, assuming you can remove it and seeing if you can "unjam" it. I have, in the past, done such, although the details now elude me.
Before this though, read your manual, there are some rear belts that have a locking system that can be hard to release, again experience.

[vrsmxtb]

Not advocating a deliberate MOT loophole but I had to rush to an MOT once with my rear seats folded flat and a drum kit in the back. MOT has an advisory something along the lines of rear seats not fitted at time of test. But of course your not going to have rear passengers afterwards knowing to have a faulty belt right?!

[littlebasher]

Chuck a child seat in the middle and wrap some of the belt around it..they can't test it then

[seagrey]

The centre rear belt is connected to the seat latch via a cable,ensure the seat back is correctly latched or it will never release.

[mcford]

You can remove the centre rear belt completely, as long as the belt requirements are met for the other two rear seats, then it should be a pass and advise. If you get any problems get the tester to consult the flow chart in section 5.1 of the manual and the corresponding referenced table.

[Vipers]

According to this, you will need a working seat belt:-

http://www.dft.gov.uk/vosa/repository/CONT071791.p...

[Fish981]

For the rear seats you'll need:-

In forward facing rear seats any of the following; I. A 3 point inertia reel belt on an outboard seat and a 3 point static or inertia reel belt, lap belt, disabled persons belt or child restraint for at least one other seat; or II. A static 3 point belt for one seat and a disabled person’s belt or child restraint for at least one other seat; or III. A 3 point belt, lap belt, disabled person’s belt or child restraint to each seat.

It's in VOSA speak but as long as the two outer seat belts work you'll be fine.

Assuming you've taken the broken belt out anyway.

Edited by Fish981 on Wednesday 22 June 07:44

[warmfuzzies]

Rich_W said:

Take the belt out. Can't fail what isn't there.

Wrong.

Mine failed on this, if it has a seat, it needs a belt. I took my seats out.

Kevin

[neiljohnson]

A common fault you can normally jiggle them out by unbolting the lower part of the belt to give you some slack.

On the other hand if its not there its not tested & therefore a pass.

[5paul5]

Many trackday cars have the seats/belts removed including mine, passes the mot no problem.

[Dr Doofenshmirtz]

My Celica doesn't have a centre belt - a lot of early Jap cars don't.

Remove it and it'll pass the MOT.

[Save Ferris]

5paul5 said:

Many trackday cars have the seats/belts removed including mine, passes the mot no problem.

That's been my experience aswell.