Are KM/H speedos illegal in uk?
Discussion
Hi there,
yesterday I nearly bought a camper van, but the only issue was that the speedo was in km/h. the owner has placed a clear plastic film over the speedo to indicate where the speed is in mph. it has passed mot recently but after looking online this isn't a necessity so long as speed can be indicated. if stopped by the police could it be a fine????
any thoughts really,
many thanks,
yesterday I nearly bought a camper van, but the only issue was that the speedo was in km/h. the owner has placed a clear plastic film over the speedo to indicate where the speed is in mph. it has passed mot recently but after looking online this isn't a necessity so long as speed can be indicated. if stopped by the police could it be a fine????
any thoughts really,
many thanks,
Even without the mph overlay, it wouldn't be an MOT issue as the speedometer itself is only tested for presence, visible condition and illumination.
As far as construction and use is concerned, the speedometer must be capable of displaying vehicle speed in both mph & kph. If the overlay allows that, it shouldn't attract any unwanted attention from plod.
As far as construction and use is concerned, the speedometer must be capable of displaying vehicle speed in both mph & kph. If the overlay allows that, it shouldn't attract any unwanted attention from plod.
For European type approval a car must have a speedo in kmh. Some UK Mercedes cars therefore have a speedo dial in mph with the digital speedo permanently in kmh.
For type approvsl in UK a car must have a speedo in mph. I think this also applies for IVA of low volume cars, imports etc.
For MOT the speedo must be fitted and working but I don't think there is a specific mph requirement.
For type approvsl in UK a car must have a speedo in mph. I think this also applies for IVA of low volume cars, imports etc.
For MOT the speedo must be fitted and working but I don't think there is a specific mph requirement.
Ozzie Osmond said:
For European type approval a car must have a speedo in kmh. Some UK Mercedes cars therefore have a speedo dial in mph with the digital speedo permanently in kmh.
For type approvsl in UK a car must have a speedo in mph. I think this also applies for IVA of low volume cars, imports etc.
C & U Regs require that, subject to certain exemptions, a speedometer must be capable of displaying both mph and kph, either simultaneously or separately via a switch. For type approvsl in UK a car must have a speedo in mph. I think this also applies for IVA of low volume cars, imports etc.
Ozzie Osmond said:
For MOT the speedo must be fitted and working but I don't think there is a specific mph requirement.
There's no absolute MOT requirement for a speedometer to be 'working' (although clearly inoperable would be a reason for failure), but one must be fitted, in good condition (visibly) and capable of illumination.Ozzie Osmond said:
For European type approval a car must have a speedo in kmh. Some UK Mercedes cars therefore have a speedo dial in mph with the digital speedo permanently in kmh.
For type approvsl in UK a car must have a speedo in mph. I think this also applies for IVA of low volume cars, imports etc.
For MOT the speedo must be fitted and working but I don't think there is a specific mph requirement.
Presumably the OP has been looking at a UK registered vehicle so the parts of your post which are not inaccurate are irrelevant!For type approvsl in UK a car must have a speedo in mph. I think this also applies for IVA of low volume cars, imports etc.
For MOT the speedo must be fitted and working but I don't think there is a specific mph requirement.
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.
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.
SS2. said:
There's no absolute MOT requirement for a speedometer to be 'working' (although clearly inoperable would be a reason for failure), but one must be fitted, in good condition (visibly) and capable of illumination.
Can you please explain the difference between "clearly inoperable" and "not working", given that the brakes will be assessed on a rolling road.Hi there,
thank you so much for all the replies!!!! my phone just went mental...i can see why!
It was the only reason for not making the purchase and as doesnt seems like its doesnt really matter anyway I shall put down the deposit! \
cheers guys!
thank you so much for all the replies!!!! my phone just went mental...i can see why!
It was the only reason for not making the purchase and as doesnt seems like its doesnt really matter anyway I shall put down the deposit! \
cheers guys!
Edited by kevinarbury on Sunday 16th October 15:28
Ozzie Osmond said:
Can you please explain the difference between "clearly inoperable" and "not working", given that the brakes will be assessed on a rolling road.
Rolling roads do not necessarily make speedo needles move. So "clearly inoperable" means looking totally f
ked, e,g. smashed, whereas "not working" means looking as though it has every chance of working, despite not doing!
Pothole said:
Ozzie Osmond said:
For European type approval a car must have a speedo in kmh. Some UK Mercedes cars therefore have a speedo dial in mph with the digital speedo permanently in kmh.
For type approvsl in UK a car must have a speedo in mph. I think this also applies for IVA of low volume cars, imports etc.
For MOT the speedo must be fitted and working but I don't think there is a specific mph requirement.
Presumably the OP has been looking at a UK registered vehicle so the parts of your post which are not inaccurate are irrelevant!For type approvsl in UK a car must have a speedo in mph. I think this also applies for IVA of low volume cars, imports etc.
For MOT the speedo must be fitted and working but I don't think there is a specific mph requirement.
If the vehicle has a metric speedo then it is probably an import. If it was over ten years old then there aren't any rules beyond MOT, but a vehicle imported when under ten years old would have needed to pass an E-SVA or IVA if it wasn't type approved. If it had European approval then: guess what...?
For vehicles which required testing, what was acceptable changed over the years and started out with 30mph etc decals stuck on the binnacle glass and it became progressively stricter, but by no means strict.
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