New MOT regs and tinted windows confusion

[Luke.]

Afternoon all.

I recently bought a 2009 Mini Cooper S with tinted rear windows. These were factory fitted, but have been doing a bit of googling and it would seem these could now be an MOT failure.

Does anyone know the rules re the tint? ie %? Are factory fitted tints OK so long as it's not a mod?

Cheers.

[Ozzie Osmond]

So how's a van going to pass an MOT then?

"Window tints. You MUST NOT use a vehicle with excessively dark tinting applied to the windscreen, or to the glass in any front window to either side of the driver. Window tinting applied during manufacture complies with the Visual Light Transmittance (VLT) standards. There are no VLT limits for rear windscreens or rear passenger windows."

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/Hig...

[Luke.]

Ozzie Osmond said:

So how's a van going to pass an MOT then?

"Window tints. You MUST NOT use a vehicle with excessively dark tinting applied to the windscreen, or to the glass in any front window to either side of the driver. Window tinting applied during manufacture complies with the Visual Light Transmittance (VLT) standards. There are no VLT limits for rear windscreens or rear passenger windows."

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/Hig...

Good point. Thanks.

[V88Dicky]

Rear and rear (side) windows seem to be exempt.

O/T but does anyone else think black hatchbacks with tinted rear windows look like small vans? Why would you want to do that to your Clio/206/Astra etc? Bizarre

[D44nny]

You can't put any think on your window screen below the as1 mark. Ie only a small sun strip. As for the 2 front doors they must let at least 70% of light thru them but many new cars are already tinted to this level. And be hind the b post you can do what u like so your car should b fine.

[Luke.]

D44nny said:

You can't put any think on your window screen below the as1 mark. Ie only a small sun strip. As for the 2 front doors they must let at least 70% of light thru them but many new cars are already tinted to this level. And be hind the b post you can do what u like so your car should b fine.

Thanx m8.

[vit4]

V88Dicky said:

Rear and rear (side) windows seem to be exempt.

O/T but does anyone else think black hatchbacks with tinted rear windows look like small vans? Why would you want to do that to your Clio/206/Astra etc? Bizarre

:nods: Always mistake black Fiestas for the vans

[DanielC4GP]

vit4 said:

V88Dicky said:

Rear and rear (side) windows seem to be exempt.

O/T but does anyone else think black hatchbacks with tinted rear windows look like small vans? Why would you want to do that to your Clio/206/Astra etc? Bizarre

:nods: Always mistake black Fiestas for the vans

Really does look daft on black hatchbacks, as you say it just makes them look like a small van.