SiriusProjects Posted August 8, 2016 Share Posted August 8, 2016 Well, I had my MOT today and it failed. The reason it failed was because there was no steering wheel airbag as I had and aftermarket steering wheel fitted. The last few years it hasn't been a problem, but according to the MOT test centre, the laws have got tougher and they are clamping down. It was fortunate that I still had the original steering wheel, so I popped home and got it. The garage removed the new one and refitted the old one and it was retested and passed. Don't know if anyone on here has had a similar experience recently, but thought it was worthwhile giving everyone a heads up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZeppoJeff Posted August 8, 2016 Share Posted August 8, 2016 Same thing happened to me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brillomaster Posted August 8, 2016 Share Posted August 8, 2016 did they then remove the old one and reinstall the new one again? im a little concerned about airbags when I MOT my track car - my plan is to take the airbag module out so all airbags are disabled, but still present - if that passes i'll start actually removing airbags. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SiriusProjects Posted August 8, 2016 Author Share Posted August 8, 2016 No they didn't refit the new one. They said that there are VOSA cars out and about spot checking cars. Sounds like they are really clamping down. I cant see any point refitting my aftermarket one if that's the case. Its going to affect sales I would think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stutopia Posted August 8, 2016 Share Posted August 8, 2016 Is it just wheel airbags or all OEM? Just thinking about seats etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevoD Posted August 8, 2016 Share Posted August 8, 2016 did you have an airbag warning light on? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SiriusProjects Posted August 8, 2016 Author Share Posted August 8, 2016 I'm not sure if its any other airbags. All the other ones in my zed are there anyway. As for the warning light, no it wasn't on. Like I said, the last couple of years, they haven't had an issue with it. But this year, they've obviously toughened the laws. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevoD Posted August 8, 2016 Share Posted August 8, 2016 odd as i cant find any newer info on it, it should have been a pass and advise as unless they removed the wheel to prove no airbag was present they cant just assume and there not allowed to remove anything to check it must be tested as its presented unless it was an OEM wheel with the airbag clearly gone and wires hanging out should be a pass and advise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ekona Posted August 8, 2016 Share Posted August 8, 2016 Under 5.4 of the MOT regs, the SRS section. As far as practicable, check that all airbags fitted as original equipment are present and not obviously defective. REASON FOR REJECTION An airbag obviously missing or defective. So yes, they were correct to fail it. However, I'd be finding a new garage with some common sense, or if not possible then sadly it'll mean re-fitting the OEM one once a year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevoD Posted August 8, 2016 Share Posted August 8, 2016 Interesting i wonder how modern rally cars like the fiestas and ds3 that have to be road legal get by it although just thinking about it rally cars dont tend to last the first 3 years of life so would never need a MOT bit unfair Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EcoFriendlyAL Posted August 8, 2016 Share Posted August 8, 2016 The general rule seems to be, if something is fitted then it should work (ie its there for a reason). This applies to headlight washers, on my previous car a 2001 Audi TT my headlight washers didn't work but I still got a pass. No one seemed sure of the wording on the MOT check list? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ekona Posted August 8, 2016 Share Posted August 8, 2016 Interesting i wonder how modern rally cars like the fiestas and ds3 that have to be road legal get by it although just thinking about it rally cars dont tend to last the first 3 years of life so would never need a MOT bit unfair P9, section 5. Extensively modified vehicles would pass regardless of having a steering wheel with airbag or not. Like I said, find a different station. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevoD Posted August 8, 2016 Share Posted August 8, 2016 "Where a car has been extensively modified or converted, certain Reasons for Rejection such as 'components missing where fitted as standard' should not be applied, for example: A car converted for rally use (i.e. rear seats removed and fitted with a roll cage and full harness seatbelts etc) may have been converted so as not to require a brake servo, power steering or airbags. VOSA says it is expected that modifications to cars converted for track or rally use will be permanent and readily identifiable, and wouldn't include those where an airbag has been disconnected for "occasional" off-road use, for instance. We're also told fixed drivers' seats are acceptable in any vehicle provided the adjusting mechanism has been removed and the seat is now clearly a fixed seat in one position. Simply removing the adjuster lever or locking it in one position won't be acceptable for an MOT. http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=1130476 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SiriusProjects Posted August 8, 2016 Author Share Posted August 8, 2016 Thanks for the feedback guys. I'm just going on what I was told. If the laws have been tightened and VOSA are checking, then I think that maybe the MOT station failed me, because they wouldn't want to risk any kind of come back. I think I will look into this a bit more though, because if it turns out that another MOT station would have passed it, then I'm going to be spitting feathers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ebized Posted August 8, 2016 Share Posted August 8, 2016 Just a secondary thought..... It's a modification that I would expect most insurance companies could see as having the potential to add to serious injury compared to a steering wheel with an airbag. So if not declared and the worse happened excuse for them not to pay out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ekona Posted August 8, 2016 Share Posted August 8, 2016 You should always tell them you've changed the steering wheel, and if they ask if it has an airbag then tell them that too. Otherwise, as long as you've told them then that's their problem. Going back to the OP, how modified is your car? If it's just wheels, a roof wrap and a steering wheel then they were right to fail it. If it's stripped inside, bucket seats and 888s, then they should've passed it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SiriusProjects Posted August 8, 2016 Author Share Posted August 8, 2016 Hi Ekona, When the aftermarket steering wheel was fitted, I notified my insurer straightaway and they had no problem with it and noted it on my policy. As for modifications. The alloys wheels are factory anyway. New exhaust system fitted, roof spoiler and the aftermarket steering wheel. Other than that, just cosmetic stuff really. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ekona Posted August 9, 2016 Share Posted August 9, 2016 Probably not enough to get past on the extensively modified for track rule then Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evest Posted August 9, 2016 Share Posted August 9, 2016 I do not understand their logic. So a car modified for track use means you can have an non-airbag steering wheel and still be road legal. But if you just want a non-airbag steering wheel because you like it then you can't have one? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevoD Posted August 9, 2016 Share Posted August 9, 2016 (edited) Probably not enough to get past on the extensively modified for track rule then joys of that are its at the choice of the tester Edited August 9, 2016 by StevoD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
veeg33 Posted August 9, 2016 Share Posted August 9, 2016 (edited) I'm assuming track car will have straps/harness rather than normal seat belts hence you will not move forwards as much or minimum movement during accident/crash that your face will hit the steering wheel or windscreen. Hence steering wheel airbag is not mandatory.....That's my logic IMO Edit: OP, maybe this is a good excuse to install 5 point harness?? and keep your aftermarket steering wheel But check that with your MOT station first Edited August 9, 2016 by veeg33 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ekona Posted August 9, 2016 Share Posted August 9, 2016 I do not understand their logic. So a car modified for track use means you can have an non-airbag steering wheel and still be road legal. But if you just want a non-airbag steering wheel because you like it then you can't have one? Correct. The theory being that airbags are needed to keep casualties down, so you must have them. However, that then means that rally cars cannot drive between stages, never mind that it would cause a lot of problems going forward with regards to grassroots motorsports, so they deliberately left a get out in. To me, it's the right thing to do, although it makes life awkward for those of us that don't like a gigantic thick rimmed wheel with no feel to steer our cars with. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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