MOT garages not wanting to MOT track car

[TheLoraxxZeus]

I will keep this relatively short but I have a semi track prepped MX-5 MK2 with the following mods:

• Bucket seat
• Half cage
• Stripped interior except dash
• 6 point harnesses
• Aftermarket wheel + boss (with airbag light cancelled out)
• Miesterr zeta race coilovers

Car is kept in OK condition, a bit banged up but no rusty nastyness (sills have been patched by a shop) but the paint is fked beyond any repair (pealing everywhere). It's got typical wear and tear, so some tired bushings and what not. Running gear as it is is decent (I redone all the brake lines last year as well).

Second garage has now rejected my car before even starting because of the harnesses. The first garage told me they wouldn't MOT it as it would fail due to the fixed seat (???).

Am I just being unlucky here? I was just going to hire a trailer but the day overlaps the weekend so it would be a 3 day hire (£150-200 rather than £65).

Maybe this post is a vent, but am I missing something here?

[Jim Spencer]

Yup you're being unlucky.. sort of.. you're basically taking along something 'different' which means to most places they'll not have much experience so it's being seen as either 'too hard' (or they just don't know how to deal with it..) and hence you're getting that reaction

Take it to a garage that specialises in competition cars (Rally cars in particular) and they'll know how it works..

Post where you are and I'm sure somebody will know who to go too.

[J4CKO]

If somewhere MOT'd a motorised Orange and a motorised sofa, a track car shouldnt be a problem, they have a rule book but just seems like has been said, that its outside their experience.

Every single rally car on the UK rallies has to get between stages on road, so they are MOT'd.

They just need to read the rule book and apply it to the car, cant be that hard.

[TheLoraxxZeus]

Jim Spencer said:

Yup you're being unlucky.. sort of.. you're basically taking along something 'different' which means to most places they'll not have much experience so it's being seen as either 'too hard' (or they just don't know how to deal with it..) and hence you're getting that reaction

So it's the same as when I tried to hire a tradesman to build a wall in my back garden. It wasn't a standard job, so why put in the effort when they can do 3 easier jobs in less time for the same money.

Jim Spencer said:

Take it to a garage that specialises in competition cars (Rally cars in particular) and they'll know how it works..

Post where you are and I'm sure somebody will know who to go too.

Perhaps someone can help me here then, I'm in Scotland Fife. There are plenty of MOT garages around, I'll keeping trying but it's frustrating as hell.

[FHCNICK]

Try giving a local rally club a ring, these guys are in Fife.

http://glenrothes-msc.com/

[SJfW]

Andrew Lamont Motorsport, Cocklaw Street in Kelty

[mmm-five]

https://www.sportseats4u.co.uk/road-legal-belts-vs...

They just don't want the extra work ensuring it's all road legal and safe.

[sherman]

Try Edmonstone Garage in Edinburgh(Danderhall).
I know they have a few race cars etc in. If they cant help they can probably tell you where to go.

I have used them for my own car in the past anmd the works always been good.
01316549722

[BunkMoreland]

TheLoraxxZeus said:

...

Second garage has now rejected my car before even starting because of the harnesses...

Harnesses (assuming they are not fked) are not a fail

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/mot-inspection-manual-...

TheLoraxxZeus said:

...The first garage told me they wouldn't MOT it as it would fail due to the fixed seat (???).

Not a fail!

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/mot-inspection-manual-...

"A driver’s seat that is fixed or cannot be adjusted to the manufacturers full range of fore and aft adjustment is not a reason for failure."


Theres even a section in the manual for "extensively modified vehicles" which means competition cars really. But a stripped track car ought to count.

(Section 13)
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/mot-inspection-manual-...

Basically, none of those 2 should refuse to test. You could create trouble for them with the dvsa if you wanted.

[TheLoraxxZeus]

Update on this. I managed to find a garage that is happy to MOT the car.

I called 3 other garages but those had no availability, I then just straight up Googled "Performance car servicing Fife" and found a couple with "motorsport" in their name.

All sorted now.

BunkMoreland said:

You could create trouble for them with the dvsa if you wanted.

If I kept getting rejections I would be tempted but really isn't worth my time. The 2 garages that knocked me back have been doing MOT and servicing on my cars for 3 years now so they are aware of who I am and the kind of cars I have, I'll just take my money elsewhere.