legal or illegal

[TDTH1975]

One for the cops please. A vehicle that does not have a working speedo or milage counter - are these both deemed illegal and are they required to pass an MOT? Hired a vehicle last week with 101 problems, these are 2 of them and I am looking for some ammunition to get some answers. If the answer to either of the above is yes - who would I shop them to. London Based.

[Hedders]

I think it is supposed to work but not actually required for MOT.

Mine has not worked for over two years now. Speedo's are not something you need to refer to to stay safe.

[7db]

Yes you need a speedo (unless vehicle predates regs -- unlikely).
The offence is on the driver who drives it in unfit condition.

There may be a separate offence specific to hiring unroadworthy vehicles, but I don't know.

[TDTH1975]

But i am guessing your mileage counter works - it must be illegal for it not to be or everyone would just disconnect them so the vehicles have done less mileage.

Hedders said:

I think it is supposed to work but not actually required for MOT.

Mine has not worked for over two years now. Speedo's are not something you need to refer to to stay safe.

[Hedders]

TDTH1975 said:

But i am guessing your mileage counter works - it must be illegal for it not to be or everyone would just disconnect them so the vehicles have done less mileage.

Hedders said:

I think it is supposed to work but not actually required for MOT.

Mine has not worked for over two years now. Speedo's are not something you need to refer to to stay safe.

No the whole unit is kaput. The car is showing 95k and has probably done 150k by now. No one will get ripped off as this car will be scrapped when i am finished killing it.

Yes, still illegal though.

[JustinP1]

Hedders said:

I think it is supposed to work but not actually required for MOT.

Mine has not worked for over two years now. Speedo's are not something you need to refer to to stay safe.

I would question that as I know for a fact this was something which was tested a couple of years ago.

The reason why I know is that I had the pleasure of watching the tester try desperately get the speedo to work on my TVR in the 20 yards of space they had in their yard...

[The Wiz]

7db said:

Yes you need a speedo (unless vehicle predates regs -- unlikely).

Dumb question ... does it need readings in Mph to be legal?

[Hedders]

JustinP1 said:

Hedders said:

I think it is supposed to work but not actually required for MOT.

Mine has not worked for over two years now. Speedo's are not something you need to refer to to stay safe.

I would question that as I know for a fact this was something which was tested a couple of years ago.

The reason why I know is that I had the pleasure of watching the tester try desperately get the speedo to work on my TVR in the 20 yards of space they had in their yard...

You could be right... but there is no mention of it on the MOT website : http://www.motuk.co.uk/manual/contents.htm

My car has been MOT'd twice since it the speedo packed up and both garages told me it wasn't something they are required to check.?

[oola]

The Wiz said:

7db said:

Yes you need a speedo (unless vehicle predates regs -- unlikely).

Dumb question ... does it need readings in Mph to be legal?

No it doesn't .... I had my LHD M3 GT MOT'd last September and asked the exact same question .... it was deemed fine and passed.

[Dwight VanDriver]

Motor Vehicle (Con and use) Regs 1984

Reg 35
a motor vehicle, first used after 1.4.1984, SHALL be fitted with a speedometer which
shall be capable of indicating speed in both miles per hour and kilometres per hour, either simultaneously or, by the operation of a switch, separately.

Reg 36
An instrument for indicating speed fitted to a motor vehicle -
SHALL be kept free from any obstruction which might prevent its being easily read and SHALL at all material times be maintained in good working order.
(2) In this regulation "all material times" means all times when the vehicle is in use on a road except when -
(a) the vehicle is being used on a journey during which, as a result of a defect, the instrument ceased to be in good working order; or

(b) as a result of a defect, the instrument has ceased to be in good working order and steps have been taken to have the vehicle equipped with all reasonable expedition, by means of repairs or replacement, with an instrument which is in good working order.

Offences if one not fitted ( there are exemptions but not a motor car)or not maintained- Max fine £2,500 - no points.

Seems it is not an item that is checked in the MOT.

dvd

[The Wiz]

oola said:

The Wiz said:

7db said:

Yes you need a speedo (unless vehicle predates regs -- unlikely).

Dumb question ... does it need readings in Mph to be legal?

No it doesn't .... I had my LHD M3 GT MOT'd last September and asked the exact same question .... it was deemed fine and passed.

Thanks.