How long do airbags last....
Discussion
Just reading the thread about airbag lights not lighting and how they are an MOT fail and don't want to hijack that thread so.....
On several cars that i have owned, including but not restricted to Audi's and Alfa's, there is a warning that says airbags should be replaced after 7 years.
At what point will this become an MOT issue, all joking aside is there a finite life of an airbag? what are they made of? if plastic then one would expect deterioration over time and then when required may explode or not hold "air" as they should.
Tyres can be an MOT fail if they are showing signs of age (cracking) even if the tread is sufficiently deep, why would an airbag not suffer the same fate?
On several cars that i have owned, including but not restricted to Audi's and Alfa's, there is a warning that says airbags should be replaced after 7 years.
At what point will this become an MOT issue, all joking aside is there a finite life of an airbag? what are they made of? if plastic then one would expect deterioration over time and then when required may explode or not hold "air" as they should.
Tyres can be an MOT fail if they are showing signs of age (cracking) even if the tread is sufficiently deep, why would an airbag not suffer the same fate?
I don't imagine they'll be very susceptible to wear, but even if they do start getting a bit leaky you're only needing it to hold the gas for a fraction of a second in the event of it going off - after that it doesn't matter. I assume the life-date of them is based on how long they're effectively guaranteed for, i.e. a better than 99.999% chance of functioning correctly, which gradually diminishes as they get older.
Airbags have an almost indefinite life. Any manufacturer recommendation that they should be changed periodically will just be to avoid litigation should they not work, which to be honest is more likely to be because of other factors (electronic issues) than the bag or its inflation system failing.
Bear in mind that, unlike tyres, they're kept unloaded and completely sealed from the atmosphere. Ever looked on the engine side of an airbox? No matter how old the car, it'll look absolutely bloody pristine in there, and the same holds true for your airbags!
Bear in mind that, unlike tyres, they're kept unloaded and completely sealed from the atmosphere. Ever looked on the engine side of an airbox? No matter how old the car, it'll look absolutely bloody pristine in there, and the same holds true for your airbags!
McSam said:
Airbags have an almost indefinite life. Any manufacturer recommendation that they should be changed periodically will just be to avoid litigation should they not work, which to be honest is more likely to be because of other factors (electronic issues) than the bag or its inflation system failing.
This. Also, those who have suggested the bag might not 'hold air'- they aren't supposed to, they're full of holes from new.McSam said:
Airbags have an almost indefinite life. Any manufacturer recommendation that they should be changed periodically will just be to avoid litigation should they not work, which to be honest is more likely to be because of other factors (electronic issues) than the bag or its inflation system failing.
Exactly this!Ive set off an airbag that was 15 years old. worked fine. the supplier will say 5/7/10 years to cover themselves, knowing it will last longer.
I would assume that as long as the car has not had excessive damp or electrical problems then you can rest easy.
I've seen service schedules that state airbags should be replaced at 10 years, I've never known of anyone who has actually replaced an airbag as a routine service item though!
The bags themselves are thickish material, a bit like a sports bag. I can't see the material failing but there are other factors. There's a talc like powder in there to stop the folded bag sticking to itself, so that it inflates properly. I guess if that talc went off and the bag failed to inflate correctly it would be annoying. More annoying would be the explosive bit not going off and the bag not filling at all!
My car, a 2012 Focus would most likely be a write off at ten years old if I had to replace its (at least) four airbags and two seatbelt pretensioners! And that's before you start talking about renewing crash sensors, control units and wiring.
The bags themselves are thickish material, a bit like a sports bag. I can't see the material failing but there are other factors. There's a talc like powder in there to stop the folded bag sticking to itself, so that it inflates properly. I guess if that talc went off and the bag failed to inflate correctly it would be annoying. More annoying would be the explosive bit not going off and the bag not filling at all!
My car, a 2012 Focus would most likely be a write off at ten years old if I had to replace its (at least) four airbags and two seatbelt pretensioners! And that's before you start talking about renewing crash sensors, control units and wiring.
BOBTEE said:
My car, a 2012 Focus would most likely be a write off at ten years old if I had to replace its (at least) four airbags and two seatbelt pretensioners! And that's before you start talking about renewing crash sensors, control units and wiring.
This was kinda where i was going with this, even an early naughties Audi A4 worth a grand or less, has front, side and curtain bags, my line of thinking was at some point it could comfortably write a car off if replacement became mandatory.Regards airbags having holes in anyway, yes i appreciate this i meant "not performing" as designed
callmedave said:
McSam said:
Airbags have an almost indefinite life. Any manufacturer recommendation that they should be changed periodically will just be to avoid litigation should they not work, which to be honest is more likely to be because of other factors (electronic issues) than the bag or its inflation system failing.
Exactly this!Ive set off an airbag that was 15 years old. worked fine. the supplier will say 5/7/10 years to cover themselves, knowing it will last longer.
I would assume that as long as the car has not had excessive damp or electrical problems then you can rest easy.
They aren't designed to fail on the 3648th day, they are designed to last at least ten years, which is different, however every day past the "replace by" date is a day beyond the proven durability of that part.
I know that reads a bit like I'm trying to make it in to a big issue, but it's the engineering truth (and therefore a bit dull). To put it in context - when Mrs Muppet's airbag passes 10 years old I'll not bother replacing it, and I'd happily buy a ten year old car and not worry about the airbag.
My 1998 S70 had a sticker by the door catch where the tyre inflation information often goes, I believe it said that the airbags needed inspection corresponding to where the holes were punched out with MONTH/YEAR. I think it corresponded to a check when the car was roughly 13years old.
Don't know how they can check them, but it was there.
Don't know how they can check them, but it was there.
mcford said:
big_boz said:
Just reading the thread about airbag lights not lighting and how they are an MOT fail
They're not.ETA: From tomorrow, in fact: http://www.dft.gov.uk/vosa/repository/CHANGES%20TO...
Edited by kambites on Tuesday 19th March 15:26
CraigyMc said:
Found on the internet. Make of it what you will:
In 1992, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety crash-tested a 1972 Chevrolet Impala, and while the car's dashboard clock had stopped working, the airbags performed flawlessly.
I'm very surprised a '72 impala came with airbagsIn 1992, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety crash-tested a 1972 Chevrolet Impala, and while the car's dashboard clock had stopped working, the airbags performed flawlessly.
liner33 said:
CraigyMc said:
Found on the internet. Make of it what you will:
In 1992, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety crash-tested a 1972 Chevrolet Impala, and while the car's dashboard clock had stopped working, the airbags performed flawlessly.
I'm very surprised a '72 impala came with airbagsIn 1992, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety crash-tested a 1972 Chevrolet Impala, and while the car's dashboard clock had stopped working, the airbags performed flawlessly.
Mroad said:
The Airbag/SRS light is indeed appearing on the MOT test but there is no way that inspection of airbags themselves will ever be unless they fundamentally change the test, i.e. MOT testers are allowed to remove covers (they are not at the
Yeah but how long before manufacturers realise that they can build a "failure date" into their SRS system, causing the light to come on after 7 years so people have to buy new airbags to get through an MoT? Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff