MOTing a competition car
Discussion
This may be a completely silly question but I'm just about to buy my first 'competition' car. It is a 1966 Lancia set up for fast track driving.
It is pretty well stripped inside bar the dash and single bucket seat. It has a full welded cage, fuel lines rerouted inside the cabin, foam filled fuel tank in the boot, plexiglass all round bar the screen.
I'll be mucking around with it a bit, installing 2 period seats etc and making it a bit more useable for UK classic rallying.
My question (which as said may be silly!) is this: The car is currently foreign registered and I want the car road legal as soon as possible. Tax is obviously free but it'll need a UK MOT. Is there anything specific to watch out for?
I've not seen it yet in the flesh but from the photos it still has wipers on, lights in etc. It has a 6 point harness installed already, will this be ok to get through an MOT?
Cheers,
Ben
It is pretty well stripped inside bar the dash and single bucket seat. It has a full welded cage, fuel lines rerouted inside the cabin, foam filled fuel tank in the boot, plexiglass all round bar the screen.
I'll be mucking around with it a bit, installing 2 period seats etc and making it a bit more useable for UK classic rallying.
My question (which as said may be silly!) is this: The car is currently foreign registered and I want the car road legal as soon as possible. Tax is obviously free but it'll need a UK MOT. Is there anything specific to watch out for?
I've not seen it yet in the flesh but from the photos it still has wipers on, lights in etc. It has a 6 point harness installed already, will this be ok to get through an MOT?
Cheers,
Ben
I think you should be fine as the cars been converted for competition use it was very briefly mentioned in this months MSA magazine (bottom of page 6)
http://issuu.com/msauk/docs/msa_news_no36_apr13_we...
http://issuu.com/msauk/docs/msa_news_no36_apr13_we...
andye30m3 said:
I think you should be fine as the cars been converted for competition use it was very briefly mentioned in this months MSA magazine (bottom of page 6)
http://issuu.com/msauk/docs/msa_news_no36_apr13_we...
Brill, thanks Andy, appreciate it.http://issuu.com/msauk/docs/msa_news_no36_apr13_we...
Anyone interested this is the link to the VOSA statement: http://www.dft.gov.uk/vosa/repository/SN%2001%2020...
I also have just been reading up on some interesting MOT facts:
Pre April 1 1967 cars don't need seatbelts.
No glass is inspected other than windscreen (so plexi doesn't matter anyway).
From painful experience over the years......
Must have a loud horn, speedo (does not need to work), sidelights, wipers and squirters. Scrutineering tickets must not be within sweep of wipers. If its foreign lights need to dip to left. Flashers cannot run too fast (120 pm) ie no side repeaters as main units and brake pedal must have anti slip cover. Some tyres are not road legal eg Dunlop Ls and Ms.
I've also had a race E type failed because the competition pads did not work when stone cold and then been told someone had put anti freeze in the brake fluid cos it was blue.....I asked him to take it down the road and try the brakes - he nearly went through the windscreen
and when it came to a wooden chassisied Marcos.........he just gave me a ticket
HTH
Must have a loud horn, speedo (does not need to work), sidelights, wipers and squirters. Scrutineering tickets must not be within sweep of wipers. If its foreign lights need to dip to left. Flashers cannot run too fast (120 pm) ie no side repeaters as main units and brake pedal must have anti slip cover. Some tyres are not road legal eg Dunlop Ls and Ms.
I've also had a race E type failed because the competition pads did not work when stone cold and then been told someone had put anti freeze in the brake fluid cos it was blue.....I asked him to take it down the road and try the brakes - he nearly went through the windscreen
and when it came to a wooden chassisied Marcos.........he just gave me a ticket
HTH
Getting it registered shouldn't be too hard, I've MOTd a couple of foreign cars and had to give a covering letter for the DVLA to say UK spec headlamps are fitted.
Speedo does need to work but unless it is glaringly obvious it doesn't work we assume it does, it has to be illuminated though. As for seat belts, competition harnesses are fine.
Richard, not sure if you still have the Etype but don't let them do the rear brakes on the rolling road.
Speedo does need to work but unless it is glaringly obvious it doesn't work we assume it does, it has to be illuminated though. As for seat belts, competition harnesses are fine.
Richard, not sure if you still have the Etype but don't let them do the rear brakes on the rolling road.
terenceb said:
Dunlop Race tyres are not a fail.
I think you are right in saying that, but expect at least the possibility of a 'discussion' with the MOT Tester - possible becomes definite if you turn up on dry slicks 
However, when out on the road (unless shuttling between stages), Plod will almost certainly have you ........ especially in Wales
Perhaps worth posting the AA's Summary of the main changes/additions as of April 1 2012? >
Electronic parking brake
Electronic parking brake controls are now included and must be present and not inappropriately repaired or modified - repair obviously likely to adversely affect the roadworthiness of the vehicle or modification that has seriously weakened the component.
(The 'inappropriately repaired or modified' check is to be applied to a wide range of systems and components throughout the vehicle.)
The car will fail if an Electronic Parking Brake warning lamp is illuminated to indicate a malfunction.
Electronic Stability Control
Checks of anti-lock brakes will be extended to include Electronic Stability Control if fitted. The tester will check for the presence and correct operation of the ESC malfunction warning light together with looking for obviously missing, excessively damaged or inappropriately repaired or modified components and electrical wiring, as well as an ESC switch missing, insecure or faulty.
Warning lights
As well as electronic parking brake and electronic stability control warning lights (where fitted) the MOT test will also include checks for the correct function of the following, where fitted;
Headlight main beam warning light
Electronic power steering warning light
Brake fluid level warning light
Tyre pressure monitoring system warning light
Airbag warning light
Seat belt pre-tensioner warning light
Steering & suspension
The new test includes a check on the presence and correct function of the steering lock where fitted as standard.
Missing, or split/damaged dust covers on steering and suspension ball-joints will result in failure if they will allow dirt to enter the joint.
Power steering fluid level must be above the minimum level indicated on the reservoir.
Lighting
Products on the lens or light source that obviously reduce the light's intensity or change its colour will become a reason for failure – applies to front/rear position lamps, registration plate lamps, stop lamps, rear fog and direction indicators,
Headlight requirements are updated to take account of the particular characteristics of High Intensity Discharge (HID) lamps.
HID headlights can cause dazzle if they are dirty or aimed too high so car manufacturers must fit headlamp cleaning and levelling systems. A car will fail if a mandatory headlamp cleaning or levelling system is missing, doesn't work or is obviously defective.
Vehicles fitted with aftermarket HID systems must also be fitted with properly working washer and levelling systems.
If a headlamp bulb is not seated correctly the resulting beam pattern will be indistinct and this will result in a test fail.
Electrical wiring and battery
An insecure battery will be a reason for failure as will a battery that is leaking electrolyte.
Visible wiring that is insecure, inadequately supported or likely to cause a short will also result in a failure as will wires bared by damaged insulation.
Trailer/caravan electrical socket
There will be a basic security/damage check of 7-pin sockets,
13-pin sockets will be subject to a full electrical connectivity check and incorrectly connected or inoperative circuits will result in failure.
Tyres
Tyre pressure monitoring systems fitted to vehicles first registered after 1 January 2012 must be working correctly and not indicating a malfunction.
Supplementary restraints
The vehicle will fail the test if any airbag fitted as original equipment is obviously missing or defective.
A seatbelt pre-tensioner fitted as original equipment but missing or that has obviously deployed will be a reason for failure.
Seatbelt load limiters that are missing where fitted as standard or folding webbing type limiters that have obviously deployed are also reasons for failure.
The vehicle will also fail if an SRS malfunction light is missing, not working or indicating a fault.
Speedometer
The car will fail if a speedometer is not fitted, is incomplete, inoperative, has a dial glass broken/missing or cannot be illuminated.
Seats
It must be possible to secure the driver's seat fore and aft adjustment mechanism in two or three different positions. On electric seats the motors must move the seat fore and aft.
Doors
A rear door that cannot be opened from the outside using the relevant control is a new reason for failure.
Doors must be easy to open and close – hinges, catches and pillars will be inspected.
Towbars
Inappropriate repair or modification to the towbar assembly will be a reason for failure if judged likely to affect the roadworthiness of the vehicle/trailer.
Exhaust
A catalytic convertor fitted as original equipment but missing will be a reason for failure.
Fuel system
Damaged or chafed fuel pipes will result in failure.
Electronic parking brake
Electronic parking brake controls are now included and must be present and not inappropriately repaired or modified - repair obviously likely to adversely affect the roadworthiness of the vehicle or modification that has seriously weakened the component.
(The 'inappropriately repaired or modified' check is to be applied to a wide range of systems and components throughout the vehicle.)
The car will fail if an Electronic Parking Brake warning lamp is illuminated to indicate a malfunction.
Electronic Stability Control
Checks of anti-lock brakes will be extended to include Electronic Stability Control if fitted. The tester will check for the presence and correct operation of the ESC malfunction warning light together with looking for obviously missing, excessively damaged or inappropriately repaired or modified components and electrical wiring, as well as an ESC switch missing, insecure or faulty.
Warning lights
As well as electronic parking brake and electronic stability control warning lights (where fitted) the MOT test will also include checks for the correct function of the following, where fitted;
Headlight main beam warning light
Electronic power steering warning light
Brake fluid level warning light
Tyre pressure monitoring system warning light
Airbag warning light
Seat belt pre-tensioner warning light
Steering & suspension
The new test includes a check on the presence and correct function of the steering lock where fitted as standard.
Missing, or split/damaged dust covers on steering and suspension ball-joints will result in failure if they will allow dirt to enter the joint.
Power steering fluid level must be above the minimum level indicated on the reservoir.
Lighting
Products on the lens or light source that obviously reduce the light's intensity or change its colour will become a reason for failure – applies to front/rear position lamps, registration plate lamps, stop lamps, rear fog and direction indicators,
Headlight requirements are updated to take account of the particular characteristics of High Intensity Discharge (HID) lamps.
HID headlights can cause dazzle if they are dirty or aimed too high so car manufacturers must fit headlamp cleaning and levelling systems. A car will fail if a mandatory headlamp cleaning or levelling system is missing, doesn't work or is obviously defective.
Vehicles fitted with aftermarket HID systems must also be fitted with properly working washer and levelling systems.
If a headlamp bulb is not seated correctly the resulting beam pattern will be indistinct and this will result in a test fail.
Electrical wiring and battery
An insecure battery will be a reason for failure as will a battery that is leaking electrolyte.
Visible wiring that is insecure, inadequately supported or likely to cause a short will also result in a failure as will wires bared by damaged insulation.
Trailer/caravan electrical socket
There will be a basic security/damage check of 7-pin sockets,
13-pin sockets will be subject to a full electrical connectivity check and incorrectly connected or inoperative circuits will result in failure.
Tyres
Tyre pressure monitoring systems fitted to vehicles first registered after 1 January 2012 must be working correctly and not indicating a malfunction.
Supplementary restraints
The vehicle will fail the test if any airbag fitted as original equipment is obviously missing or defective.
A seatbelt pre-tensioner fitted as original equipment but missing or that has obviously deployed will be a reason for failure.
Seatbelt load limiters that are missing where fitted as standard or folding webbing type limiters that have obviously deployed are also reasons for failure.
The vehicle will also fail if an SRS malfunction light is missing, not working or indicating a fault.
Speedometer
The car will fail if a speedometer is not fitted, is incomplete, inoperative, has a dial glass broken/missing or cannot be illuminated.
Seats
It must be possible to secure the driver's seat fore and aft adjustment mechanism in two or three different positions. On electric seats the motors must move the seat fore and aft.
Doors
A rear door that cannot be opened from the outside using the relevant control is a new reason for failure.
Doors must be easy to open and close – hinges, catches and pillars will be inspected.
Towbars
Inappropriate repair or modification to the towbar assembly will be a reason for failure if judged likely to affect the roadworthiness of the vehicle/trailer.
Exhaust
A catalytic convertor fitted as original equipment but missing will be a reason for failure.
Fuel system
Damaged or chafed fuel pipes will result in failure.
ds Gregor For a competition car you can get away with quite a lot (or any car if you think about it):
You don't need working lights if using in daylight hours only and fitted lights are remeoved or permanently disabled.
You dont need wipers or squirters if no windscreen (ie for sportscars with speed screens etc).
MoT testing manual is here, have a good read and take a copy to the tester.
http://www.transportoffice.gov.uk/crt/doitonline/b...
One thing I had trouble with was my anti-roll bar, with rose joints and nylon mounts it had a tiny bit of play the tester couldn't pass, returned it for a retest without the bar fitted and no problem.
Andy
You don't need working lights if using in daylight hours only and fitted lights are remeoved or permanently disabled.
You dont need wipers or squirters if no windscreen (ie for sportscars with speed screens etc).
MoT testing manual is here, have a good read and take a copy to the tester.
http://www.transportoffice.gov.uk/crt/doitonline/b...
One thing I had trouble with was my anti-roll bar, with rose joints and nylon mounts it had a tiny bit of play the tester couldn't pass, returned it for a retest without the bar fitted and no problem.
Andy
Edited by Spit50 on Tuesday 7th May 14:55
This may be a more readable, if not Official, MoT manual:
http://www.motuk.co.uk/manual/contents.htm
The OP was most concerned about MoTing a foreign built car.
That opens a new worm can.
Before the mere MoT, you need to register the car with the DVLA.
See: http://www.dft.gov.uk/vca/other/importing-a-vehicl...
John
http://www.motuk.co.uk/manual/contents.htm
The OP was most concerned about MoTing a foreign built car.
That opens a new worm can.
Before the mere MoT, you need to register the car with the DVLA.
See: http://www.dft.gov.uk/vca/other/importing-a-vehicl...
John
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