Seatbelt & MOT

[arotabi]

I know this could be somewhat down to the individual tester but generally speaking would this fraying (and the 'fix') be a pass or a fail:

It's the section that goes across the lap and the fix is it being melted with a lighter to stop it getting worse.

Cheers.

[E-bmw]

Definitely should fail if seen.

[GreenV8S]

I'd expect that to be seen during the test, and if seen it would be a definite fail.

[wolf1]

That's worthy of no more than an advisory.

[E-bmw]

From governments own web site.



That is definitely "significant".

Fail.

[GreenV8S]

wolf1 said:

That's worthy of no more than an advisory.

I know you're in the business of MOT testing so you'll know better than I do, but I'd be surprised that having the edge torn off isn't considered a significant weakening. Suppose that frayed edge was still attached and flapping loose - would you still consider than just an advisory?

[wolf1]

It'd have to be way worse than than for a fail (believe it or not belt webbing is unbelievably strong even when damaged) the pre 20th May 2018 manual had actual measurements for fail etc (off the top of my head it was quarter of the belt width) however they have cocked the new manual up in loads of places and still not sorted it out. Now all there is is the word significant until it gets amended. That wear is not a significant failure and is not about to break. All that should get is an advisory.

[arotabi]

Thanks for the replies.

The vague wording is what worries me which leaves it open to interpretation.

[E-bmw]

As with lots of things in the MOT there are many that are "open to interpretation".

Just as an aside I have just done a course on working at height and the guidelines for any damage to the webbing on a harness is "damage accounting for 5% of width of the webbing can result in weakening of between 5 & 40%" without doubt (on that chalk) the damage to your belt is "significant".

TBH (not being "holier than thou" in saying this) if I saw that on a seatbelt in a car of mine I would not want to risk it.

I have replaced significantly less damaged ones than that before now, whether an MOT fail or not, it is weakened & it just may be the one thing that stops you going through the windscreen.

[arotabi]

E-bmw said:

TBH (not being "holier than thou" in saying this) if I saw that on a seatbelt in a car of mine I would not want to risk it.

I totally understand what you're saying but conditions this car is used in makes the seatbelt 'almost' redundant but the MOT is obviously a legal requirement.

If this was on my normal everyday car then it would be getting changed.

Thanks all for the replies.