New MOT rules and track cars
Discussion
Apologies if this topic is already under discussion. After reading some of the notes on the MOT changes this year there are some points that raise concern, not just for me I expect but for other track day enthusiasts who have chosen to keep their cars road legal.
I own a Clio Cup for track days that is fairly modified with a fully stripped interior, removed PAS (manual rack), single bucket seat with 5 point harness, plastic windows, battery (secured) in boot, race exhaust with decat (cat kept for MOT time), remapped ECU, no airbags (2 removed). Everything that has been done to the car has been done to a very high standard with many of the changes being a better solution than stock (particularly the wiring).
The 'inappropriately repaired or modified' check is to be applied to a wide range of systems and components throughout the vehicle. - this concerns me!
Warning lights
As well as electronic parking brake and electronic stability control warning lights (where fitted) the MOT test will also include checks for the correct function of the following, where fitted;
Headlight main beam warning light
Electronic power steering warning light - I have no PAS but no faults on the dash
Brake fluid level warning light
Tyre pressure monitoring system warning light
Air bag warning light - disconnected when the airbag ECU came out
Seat belt pre-tensioner warning light - disconnected when the stock belts came out
Steering & suspension
Power steering fluid level must be above the minimum level indicated on the reservoir. - no PAS reservoir anymore
Electrical wiring and battery
An insecure battery will be a reason for failure as will a battery that is leaking electrolyte. - it's in the boot bolted to the floor in a cage.
Supplementary restraints
The vehicle will fail the test if any airbag fitted as original equipment is obviously missing or defective. - bugger if that's the case
A seatbelt pre-tensioner fitted as original equipment but missing or that has obviously deployed will be a reason for failure. - 5 point harness so not OEM.
The vehicle will also fail if an SRS malfunction light is missing, not working or indicating a fault. - technically the SRS light is missing
It must be possible to secure the driver's seat fore and aft adjustment mechanism in two or three different positions. On electric seats the motors must move the seat fore and aft. - my bucket does not adjust...lol
Exhaust
A catalytic convertor fitted as original equipment but missing will be a reason for failure. - hence keeping the CAT
ECU
If the car has been chipped or modified it's a fail - how will this be checked and again if it is....oh bugger.
MOT isn't due until August this year so I have some time and if worse comes to worse I will just stop paying tax etc on the car and get a trailer.
What does everyone else in a similar boat think about all this?
I own a Clio Cup for track days that is fairly modified with a fully stripped interior, removed PAS (manual rack), single bucket seat with 5 point harness, plastic windows, battery (secured) in boot, race exhaust with decat (cat kept for MOT time), remapped ECU, no airbags (2 removed). Everything that has been done to the car has been done to a very high standard with many of the changes being a better solution than stock (particularly the wiring).
The 'inappropriately repaired or modified' check is to be applied to a wide range of systems and components throughout the vehicle. - this concerns me!
Warning lights
As well as electronic parking brake and electronic stability control warning lights (where fitted) the MOT test will also include checks for the correct function of the following, where fitted;
Headlight main beam warning light
Electronic power steering warning light - I have no PAS but no faults on the dash
Brake fluid level warning light
Tyre pressure monitoring system warning light
Air bag warning light - disconnected when the airbag ECU came out
Seat belt pre-tensioner warning light - disconnected when the stock belts came out
Steering & suspension
Power steering fluid level must be above the minimum level indicated on the reservoir. - no PAS reservoir anymore
Electrical wiring and battery
An insecure battery will be a reason for failure as will a battery that is leaking electrolyte. - it's in the boot bolted to the floor in a cage.
Supplementary restraints
The vehicle will fail the test if any airbag fitted as original equipment is obviously missing or defective. - bugger if that's the case
A seatbelt pre-tensioner fitted as original equipment but missing or that has obviously deployed will be a reason for failure. - 5 point harness so not OEM.
The vehicle will also fail if an SRS malfunction light is missing, not working or indicating a fault. - technically the SRS light is missing
It must be possible to secure the driver's seat fore and aft adjustment mechanism in two or three different positions. On electric seats the motors must move the seat fore and aft. - my bucket does not adjust...lol
Exhaust
A catalytic convertor fitted as original equipment but missing will be a reason for failure. - hence keeping the CAT
ECU
If the car has been chipped or modified it's a fail - how will this be checked and again if it is....oh bugger.
MOT isn't due until August this year so I have some time and if worse comes to worse I will just stop paying tax etc on the car and get a trailer.
What does everyone else in a similar boat think about all this?
nightSpirit said:
Apologies if this topic is already under discussion. After reading some of the notes on the MOT changes this year there are some points that raise concern, not just for me I expect but for other track day enthusiasts who have chosen to keep their cars road legal.
I own a Clio Cup for track days that is fairly modified with a fully stripped interior, removed PAS (manual rack), single bucket seat with 5 point harness, plastic windows, battery (secured) in boot, race exhaust with decat (cat kept for MOT time), remapped ECU, no airbags (2 removed). Everything that has been done to the car has been done to a very high standard with many of the changes being a better solution than stock (particularly the wiring).
The 'inappropriately repaired or modified' check is to be applied to a wide range of systems and components throughout the vehicle. - this concerns me!
Warning lights
As well as electronic parking brake and electronic stability control warning lights (where fitted) the MOT test will also include checks for the correct function of the following, where fitted;
Headlight main beam warning light
Electronic power steering warning light - I have no PAS but no faults on the dash
Brake fluid level warning light
Tyre pressure monitoring system warning light
Air bag warning light - disconnected when the airbag ECU came out
Seat belt pre-tensioner warning light - disconnected when the stock belts came out
Steering & suspension
Power steering fluid level must be above the minimum level indicated on the reservoir. - no PAS reservoir anymore
Electrical wiring and battery
An insecure battery will be a reason for failure as will a battery that is leaking electrolyte. - it's in the boot bolted to the floor in a cage.
Supplementary restraints
The vehicle will fail the test if any airbag fitted as original equipment is obviously missing or defective. - bugger if that's the case
A seatbelt pre-tensioner fitted as original equipment but missing or that has obviously deployed will be a reason for failure. - 5 point harness so not OEM.
The vehicle will also fail if an SRS malfunction light is missing, not working or indicating a fault. - technically the SRS light is missing
It must be possible to secure the driver's seat fore and aft adjustment mechanism in two or three different positions. On electric seats the motors must move the seat fore and aft. - my bucket does not adjust...lol
Exhaust
A catalytic convertor fitted as original equipment but missing will be a reason for failure. - hence keeping the CAT
ECU
If the car has been chipped or modified it's a fail - how will this be checked and again if it is....oh bugger.
MOT isn't due until August this year so I have some time and if worse comes to worse I will just stop paying tax etc on the car and get a trailer.
What does everyone else in a similar boat think about all this?
My skyline is a bit modified and this has concerned me. I own a Clio Cup for track days that is fairly modified with a fully stripped interior, removed PAS (manual rack), single bucket seat with 5 point harness, plastic windows, battery (secured) in boot, race exhaust with decat (cat kept for MOT time), remapped ECU, no airbags (2 removed). Everything that has been done to the car has been done to a very high standard with many of the changes being a better solution than stock (particularly the wiring).
The 'inappropriately repaired or modified' check is to be applied to a wide range of systems and components throughout the vehicle. - this concerns me!
Warning lights
As well as electronic parking brake and electronic stability control warning lights (where fitted) the MOT test will also include checks for the correct function of the following, where fitted;
Headlight main beam warning light
Electronic power steering warning light - I have no PAS but no faults on the dash
Brake fluid level warning light
Tyre pressure monitoring system warning light
Air bag warning light - disconnected when the airbag ECU came out
Seat belt pre-tensioner warning light - disconnected when the stock belts came out
Steering & suspension
Power steering fluid level must be above the minimum level indicated on the reservoir. - no PAS reservoir anymore
Electrical wiring and battery
An insecure battery will be a reason for failure as will a battery that is leaking electrolyte. - it's in the boot bolted to the floor in a cage.
Supplementary restraints
The vehicle will fail the test if any airbag fitted as original equipment is obviously missing or defective. - bugger if that's the case
A seatbelt pre-tensioner fitted as original equipment but missing or that has obviously deployed will be a reason for failure. - 5 point harness so not OEM.
The vehicle will also fail if an SRS malfunction light is missing, not working or indicating a fault. - technically the SRS light is missing
It must be possible to secure the driver's seat fore and aft adjustment mechanism in two or three different positions. On electric seats the motors must move the seat fore and aft. - my bucket does not adjust...lol
Exhaust
A catalytic convertor fitted as original equipment but missing will be a reason for failure. - hence keeping the CAT
ECU
If the car has been chipped or modified it's a fail - how will this be checked and again if it is....oh bugger.
MOT isn't due until August this year so I have some time and if worse comes to worse I will just stop paying tax etc on the car and get a trailer.
What does everyone else in a similar boat think about all this?
From the way I have had it explained to me I believe you are ok as long as you remove ALL traces of the airbags (airbags, wheel dash, warning light,visible wiring), I take it you have an aftermarket steering wheel, but does your dash have airbag or similar on it?
I am in the same boat with you on the harnesses, but I have the original ones on standby just incase. However, as I read it if EVERYTHING from the OEM equipment is removed neatly it wont fail, I have done away with all that and put the harness eyes in their place. It looks neat and safe so I think it will pass, but we will see.
The bonkers thing is that you have made your car safer....it now has a roll cage and proper harness etc.
The fact that the car goes on track also means it needs to maintained to a higher standard than a road car. You are also going to be maintaining it more regularly and picking up faults as they occur rather than leaving it to some arbitrary 12 month test.
Bonkers!!!!!
The fact that the car goes on track also means it needs to maintained to a higher standard than a road car. You are also going to be maintaining it more regularly and picking up faults as they occur rather than leaving it to some arbitrary 12 month test.
Bonkers!!!!!
PainTrain said:
My skyline is a bit modified and this has concerned me.
From the way I have had it explained to me I believe you are ok as long as you remove ALL traces of the airbags (airbags, wheel dash, warning light,visible wiring), I take it you have an aftermarket steering wheel, but does your dash have airbag or similar on it?
I am in the same boat with you on the harnesses, but I have the original ones on standby just incase. However, as I read it if EVERYTHING from the OEM equipment is removed neatly it wont fail, I have done away with all that and put the harness eyes in their place. It looks neat and safe so I think it will pass, but we will see.
If that's the caveat 'all traces of an OEM fuction/feature removed' then things may not be so bad as anything I've removed that I deemed pointless or just too heavy (aren't they the same thing?) I have removed all traces so the airbag light is gone, the ecu, the wiring and the airbags (one in steering wheel, now aftermarket, one under dash passenger side...not that useful if I only have 1 seat).From the way I have had it explained to me I believe you are ok as long as you remove ALL traces of the airbags (airbags, wheel dash, warning light,visible wiring), I take it you have an aftermarket steering wheel, but does your dash have airbag or similar on it?
I am in the same boat with you on the harnesses, but I have the original ones on standby just incase. However, as I read it if EVERYTHING from the OEM equipment is removed neatly it wont fail, I have done away with all that and put the harness eyes in their place. It looks neat and safe so I think it will pass, but we will see.
Refitting the stock belts, which I still have could be done for MOT time but just like refitting the cat it's a time waste and if more and more parts need to refitted to pass the MOT you'll end up fully stripping and then replacing all parts once a year!
As you say though...we will see, I was just interested to see if anyone has fallen foul of this already.
Addymk2 said:
There are literally thousands of people this is going to affect. Correct me if I'm wrong here but if your car is remapped or running aftermarket management it's going to fail?
Good idea, kill business for hundreds of remappers country wide.
It may technically be a file, but you cant tell me every garage in the country has the necesary equipment to check?Good idea, kill business for hundreds of remappers country wide.
VOSA have confirmed that if a vehicle has been extensively modified for a specific task then many items can be ignored. THsi means dedicated track cars and road legal race cars are fine. I can't find my source off hand but will try and post it up tonight.
Those who have replaced a airbag wheel with an aftermarket wheel and swapped their airbag seats out for some buckets because it's "Cool" will not be so lucky.
Nick
Those who have replaced a airbag wheel with an aftermarket wheel and swapped their airbag seats out for some buckets because it's "Cool" will not be so lucky.
Nick
HorneyMX5 said:
VOSA have confirmed that if a vehicle has been extensively modified for a specific task then many items can be ignored. THsi means dedicated track cars and road legal race cars are fine. I can't find my source off hand but will try and post it up tonight.
Those who have replaced a airbag wheel with an aftermarket wheel and swapped their airbag seats out for some buckets because it's "Cool" will not be so lucky.
Nick
Id heard this, after theyd announced the grace period (current fails for these items are only entered as advisories until the end of March, IIRC).Those who have replaced a airbag wheel with an aftermarket wheel and swapped their airbag seats out for some buckets because it's "Cool" will not be so lucky.
Nick
The trouble with VOSA is that they may yet interpret and then re-interpret their own rules - leaving previous exemptions in their wake...
eltax91 said:
Addymk2 said:
There are literally thousands of people this is going to affect. Correct me if I'm wrong here but if your car is remapped or running aftermarket management it's going to fail?
Good idea, kill business for hundreds of remappers country wide.
It may technically be a file, but you cant tell me every garage in the country has the necesary equipment to check?Good idea, kill business for hundreds of remappers country wide.
I'd rather that it wasn't made illegal, rather than relying on not getting caught!!
mrmr96 said:
I don't think that's the point to be fair.
I'd rather that it wasn't made illegal, rather than relying on not getting caught!!
But to make the most of a lot of engine mods on a track car or a tuned road car a remap is a necessity. An aftermarket ecu or a piggyback unit can be seen off a visual inspection. I'd rather that it wasn't made illegal, rather than relying on not getting caught!!
Good idea though, over the past 5-10 years there are literally hundreds of companies doing it nationwide. Put them all out of business and add more people to the benefit crew.
HorneyMX5 said:
VOSA have confirmed that if a vehicle has been extensively modified for a specific task then many items can be ignored. THsi means dedicated track cars and road legal race cars are fine. I can't find my source off hand but will try and post it up tonight.
Those who have replaced a airbag wheel with an aftermarket wheel and swapped their airbag seats out for some buckets because it's "Cool" will not be so lucky.
Nick
I may be spreading fear unduly as some of this information may not be accurate but one particular site states:Those who have replaced a airbag wheel with an aftermarket wheel and swapped their airbag seats out for some buckets because it's "Cool" will not be so lucky.
Nick
9) Management electronic control unit (ECU) modification.
It's not fuly understood how ECU systems will be checked as yet, but a car will in theory fail the MOT if it is found that it's ECU unit has been illegally modified or 'chipped'.
If 'road legal race cars' are fine, providing any modifications aren't dangerous and have been done correctly (subjective I know) then that again is good to hear...please confirm this if you can.
If your car passes the MOT as a road legal racer, do you kudos points? like rate my ride?
Addymk2 said:
mrmr96 said:
I don't think that's the point to be fair.
I'd rather that it wasn't made illegal, rather than relying on not getting caught!!
But to make the most of a lot of engine mods on a track car or a tuned road car a remap is a necessity. An aftermarket ecu or a piggyback unit can be seen off a visual inspection. I'd rather that it wasn't made illegal, rather than relying on not getting caught!!
Good idea though, over the past 5-10 years there are literally hundreds of companies doing it nationwide. Put them all out of business and add more people to the benefit crew.
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