Speedo in km/hr only?
Discussion
I made enquiries about a Japanese import, which has a speedometer in km/hr only. A quick search suggests that the Regs insist on a speedo that can be read in both mph and km/hr for any vehicle after 1984. When I made enquiries they insist that a km/hr speedo is fine and that it would not have passed the MPOT otherwise (they have more than one such car for sale, also with km/hr speedometer). Does anyone know for sure? Given all the speed restrictions we face I would not have a km/hr speedo anyway but I wonder what the legal situation is.
Quite a few threads on this but essentially for the MOT it's not an issue:
Edit: Removed my bit, see Kambites below
Personally I don't see the issue if you can do the conversion interestingly fitting the converter removed the Japanese 112mph limiter in one of my imports
Pothole said:
Not sure why so many PH posters find google so difficult to use, but the below is from the MOT test manual:
6.7 SpeedometerInformation
This inspection applies to all vehicles first used on or after 01 October 1937.
If the dial glass is cracked, it is not a Reason for Rejection, providing:
there is no possibility of misreading the speedometer or
there is no possibility fouling of the indicator needle or
the cracked glass does not create a safety hazard.
A Tachograph is an acceptable alternative to a speedometer providing it satisfies the requirements of this inspection.
Method of Inspection
1. Check that a speedometer is fitted.
2. Check the condition of the speedometer.
3. Check that the speedometer can be illuminated.
Reason for Rejection
1. Speedometer not fitted.
2. Speedometer incomplete, clearly inoperative or the dial glass broken or missing.
3. The speedometer cannot be illuminated.
from https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...6.7 SpeedometerInformation
This inspection applies to all vehicles first used on or after 01 October 1937.
If the dial glass is cracked, it is not a Reason for Rejection, providing:
there is no possibility of misreading the speedometer or
there is no possibility fouling of the indicator needle or
the cracked glass does not create a safety hazard.
A Tachograph is an acceptable alternative to a speedometer providing it satisfies the requirements of this inspection.
Method of Inspection
1. Check that a speedometer is fitted.
2. Check the condition of the speedometer.
3. Check that the speedometer can be illuminated.
Reason for Rejection
1. Speedometer not fitted.
2. Speedometer incomplete, clearly inoperative or the dial glass broken or missing.
3. The speedometer cannot be illuminated.
Edit: Removed my bit, see Kambites below
Personally I don't see the issue if you can do the conversion interestingly fitting the converter removed the Japanese 112mph limiter in one of my imports
Edited by TommoAE86 on Tuesday 3rd June 10:03
Thank you for the comprehensive reply. I had looked into the construction and use regs, which seem pretty clear. I'm very surprised that a company that imports cars from Japan is happy to sell them in an illegal condition, with false assurances, based on MOT tests, which are irrelevant. It makes me wonder what other shortcuts they make. Another importer I'm looking at does the full conversion (although the cars tend to be more expensive).
Having a km only speedo must increase the risk of speeding tickets, but potentially, could also invalidate an insurance claim in the event of an accident. We all now how forgiving insurance companies are in the event of any discrepancy/illegality. It would give them a good excuse to wriggle out of a claim.
Having a km only speedo must increase the risk of speeding tickets, but potentially, could also invalidate an insurance claim in the event of an accident. We all now how forgiving insurance companies are in the event of any discrepancy/illegality. It would give them a good excuse to wriggle out of a claim.
Here's the government website take on it:
https://www.gov.uk/importing-vehicles-into-the-uk/...
Which includes:
https://www.gov.uk/importing-vehicles-into-the-uk/...
UK Government said:
Getting vehicle approval
Get vehicle approval to show that your imported vehicle meets environmental and safety regulations. You ll need proof of approval to register and tax the vehicle.
You cannot register and tax a seriously damaged vehicle. If you pay for vehicle approval and then try to register a seriously damaged vehicle, you will not be refunded.
When you re exempt from vehicle approval
If your vehicle was first registered or manufactured more than 10 years ago, you might not need approval. Check to see if the vehicle is exempt.
You will need vehicle approval to tax your vehicle if it was first registered on or after 1 March 2001 with EU type approval and it s either:
a light goods vehicle (3,500kg maximum weight or less)
a light passenger vehicle - a car or minibus with 8 passenger seats or less (not including the driver) and with a CO2 emissions figure in g/km
If you do not already have vehicle approval, send a letter with your application to DVLA explaining why you do not have it.
This is the link for exemptions: https://www.gov.uk/vehicle-approval/exemptions-fro...Get vehicle approval to show that your imported vehicle meets environmental and safety regulations. You ll need proof of approval to register and tax the vehicle.
You cannot register and tax a seriously damaged vehicle. If you pay for vehicle approval and then try to register a seriously damaged vehicle, you will not be refunded.
When you re exempt from vehicle approval
If your vehicle was first registered or manufactured more than 10 years ago, you might not need approval. Check to see if the vehicle is exempt.
You will need vehicle approval to tax your vehicle if it was first registered on or after 1 March 2001 with EU type approval and it s either:
a light goods vehicle (3,500kg maximum weight or less)
a light passenger vehicle - a car or minibus with 8 passenger seats or less (not including the driver) and with a CO2 emissions figure in g/km
If you do not already have vehicle approval, send a letter with your application to DVLA explaining why you do not have it.
Which includes:
UK Government list of exemptions from approvals process said:
cars and minibuses with 8 passenger seats or less (not including the driver) over 10 years old
So from a legal standpoint I don't think you need to change the speedometer if the car is over ten years old (unless there's another rule which says you have to which doesn't directly relate to imports). Whether in practice you will need an MPH speedometer in order to get insurance I don't know. Edited by kambites on Tuesday 3rd June 09:36
Never had any issues with any imports showing KM's, I certainly cannot see why you think its Illegal. Cars need a MOT to be registered if over 10 years old and a more thorough test for anything newer. As shown above, the MOT does not need to have miles showing.
Most are relatively easy to convert if you really want to although a few models can be more difficult. I tend to just leave mine in KM's these days and ensure the MOT station make sure the MOT shows KM's and not miles, which happens a lot
Additionally, imports are commonplace in the insurance market, I have never in 20+ years had any question, query or otherwise from an insurance company about the speedometer being in KM's
Most are relatively easy to convert if you really want to although a few models can be more difficult. I tend to just leave mine in KM's these days and ensure the MOT station make sure the MOT shows KM's and not miles, which happens a lot
Additionally, imports are commonplace in the insurance market, I have never in 20+ years had any question, query or otherwise from an insurance company about the speedometer being in KM's
Edited by Axeboy on Tuesday 3rd June 10:49
Axeboy said:
Never had any issues with any imports showing KM's, I certainly cannot see why you think its Illegal. Cars need a MOT to be registered if over 10 years old and a more thorough test for anything newer. As shown above, the MOT does not need to have miles showing.
Most are relatively easy to convert if you really want to although a few models can be more difficult. I tend to just leave mine in KM's these days and ensure the MOT station make sure the MOT shows KM's and not miles, which happens a lot
Additionally, imports are commonplace in the insurance market, I have never in 20+ years had any question, query or otherwise from an insurance company about the speedometer being in KM's
Ever had an insurance adjuster examine your car after an accident? That's the concern. Also:Most are relatively easy to convert if you really want to although a few models can be more difficult. I tend to just leave mine in KM's these days and ensure the MOT station make sure the MOT shows KM's and not miles, which happens a lot
Additionally, imports are commonplace in the insurance market, I have never in 20+ years had any question, query or otherwise from an insurance company about the speedometer being in KM's
Edited by Axeboy on Tuesday 3rd June 10:49
The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986
You are here:
UK Statutory Instruments1986 No. 1078PART IIFRegulation
Speedometers
35.—(1) Save as provided in paragraphs (2) and (3), every motor vehicle shall be fitted with a speedometer which, if the vehicle is first used on or after 1st April 1984, shall be capable of indicating speed in both miles per hour and kilometres per hour, either simultaneously or, by the operation of a switch, separately.
(2) Paragraph (1) does not apply to—
(a)a vehicle having a maximum speed not exceeding 25 mph;
(b)a vehicle which it is at all times unlawful to drive at more than 25 mph;
(c)an agricultural motor vehicle [F1, not being a category T tractor,] which is not driven at more than 20 mph;
[F2(ca)a category T tractor which is not driven at more than 40 km/h;]
(d)a motor cycle first used before 1st April 1984 the engine of which has a cylinder capacity not exceeding 100 cc;
(e)an invalid carriage first used before 1st April 1984;
(f)a works truck first used before 1st April 1984;
(g)a vehicle first used before 1st October 1937; or
(h)a vehicle equipped with recording equipment marked with a marking designated as an approval mark by regulation 5 of the Approval Marks Regulations and shown at item 3 in Schedule 4 to those Regulations (whether or not the vehicle is required to be equipped with that equipment) and which, as regards the visual indications given by that equipment of the speed of the vehicle, complies with the requirements relating to the said indications and installations specified in the [F3EU Tachographs Regulation].
(3) Instead of complying with paragraph (1) a vehicle may comply with [F4Community Directive 97/39] or with ECE Regulation 39.
.
InitialDave said:
Regardless of the legality, it's something of an inconvenience in the UK.
A cheap standalone GPS speedo display is an immediate solution if bothered.
In my experience you get used to it. I haven't tried KPH only in the UK but I've driven a lot on the continent in UK cars and whilst they do have KPH on them in the centre ring, I find myself doing the calculation from MPH in my head rather than squinting at the KPH bit of the dial. A cheap standalone GPS speedo display is an immediate solution if bothered.
You might find that Japanese imports comply with
ECE Regulation 39
which only require KMH unless the vehicle was specifically manufactured for sale in a country that uses MPH.
A Japanese import would have been specifically manufactured for sale in Japan which uses KMH.
https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publi...
ECE Regulation 39
which only require KMH unless the vehicle was specifically manufactured for sale in a country that uses MPH.
A Japanese import would have been specifically manufactured for sale in Japan which uses KMH.
https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publi...
Olivergt said:
You might find that Japanese imports comply with
ECE Regulation 39
which only require KMH unless the vehicle was specifically manufactured for sale in a country that uses MPH.
A Japanese import would have been specifically manufactured for sale in Japan which uses KMH.
https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publi...
Two pieces of legislation that seem to contradict each other. As we have left the EU, does the ECE Regulation apply in the UK now?ECE Regulation 39
which only require KMH unless the vehicle was specifically manufactured for sale in a country that uses MPH.
A Japanese import would have been specifically manufactured for sale in Japan which uses KMH.
https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publi...
lornemalvo said:
Olivergt said:
You might find that Japanese imports comply with
ECE Regulation 39
which only require KMH unless the vehicle was specifically manufactured for sale in a country that uses MPH.
A Japanese import would have been specifically manufactured for sale in Japan which uses KMH.
https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publi...
Two pieces of legislation that seem to contradict each other. As we have left the EU, does the ECE Regulation apply in the UK now?ECE Regulation 39
which only require KMH unless the vehicle was specifically manufactured for sale in a country that uses MPH.
A Japanese import would have been specifically manufactured for sale in Japan which uses KMH.
https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publi...
Hello Chaps - just my 2 pence - I have run Japanese imported cars for the last 15 years or so. Last year my Japanese imported Volvo was rear ended and written off. I had to take various photos to send to the 3rd party insurance, including the speedometer which was in original KPH format. They did not mention anything and paid up accordingly. I currently run a Japanese imported Volvo and the speedometer is still in KPH. I have thought about changing the face plate to MPH but the dial is 60 quid lol. And I would have to insert it but that shouldn't be to problematical. YouTube is your friend.
Also, just a thought. With the insurance which they obviously know is a Japanese import, would swapping out the speedo dial be considered a modification?
As is it is un-modified.
Also, just a thought. With the insurance which they obviously know is a Japanese import, would swapping out the speedo dial be considered a modification?
As is it is un-modified.
lornemalvo said:
Olivergt said:
You might find that Japanese imports comply with
ECE Regulation 39
which only require KMH unless the vehicle was specifically manufactured for sale in a country that uses MPH.
A Japanese import would have been specifically manufactured for sale in Japan which uses KMH.
https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publi...
Two pieces of legislation that seem to contradict each other. As we have left the EU, does the ECE Regulation apply in the UK now?ECE Regulation 39
which only require KMH unless the vehicle was specifically manufactured for sale in a country that uses MPH.
A Japanese import would have been specifically manufactured for sale in Japan which uses KMH.
https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publi...
It either complies with Paragraph 1 (which stipulates both MPH and KMH) or 3 (which allows for KMH only).
(3) Instead of complying with paragraph (1) a vehicle may comply with [F4Community Directive 97/39] or with ECE Regulation 39.
.
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