MOT's and track cars

[M.C..]

My track car has its first MOT due soon, but I have been to a few places to ask about it as it does not have any seat belts (only 6 point harnesses) , airbags etc but most don't seem to know how to do a MOT on a track car.
How do you get on testing yours, and does anyone know a good place to take it around West Midlands.

 

[182Matt]

There should be a fair few threads on this already, have a search I've read them before.

Its basically down to the tester's discretion, my tester is someone I've known and used for years and he has no issues with harnesses, no airbags, roll cage etc..

 

[Craig-S]

If something isn't fitted then it can't fail for it not working, i.e. airbags and inertia reels.

Some factory cars come fitted with harnesses, so they cant fail either as long as yours can be unbuckled with one hand. Same with the seat. If its bolted into position and the sliding frame is removed it does not need to lock into 2 positions, as it physically can't.

 

[KitsonRis]

My car goes through fine without air bags, bucket seats and harnesses. I am sure as long as the seats are fitted properly and not going to fly out then its not an issue. The air bag thing is as long as the air bag light is off then it is fine.
And it is door bars on roll cages that are apparently not allowed as you cannot be taken out of the car in an emergency quickly.

This time around it was picked up on being "lowered" as an advisory, eventhough the same guy tested it last year when it was lowered then. Oh and the factory fitted engine cover was also an advisory too, along with the sump under tray and sill covers!

 

[terryc101]

Never heard that about door bars before, mine just went through with them.

 

[sonny172cup]

My race car passed its MOT, with the service and air bag light on, the tester showed me a caveat on the MOT test stating that if the track car has a cage and harness then it will pass the MOT regardless.

So its an official thing that came in force last April (iirc)

 

[clioben182]

http://www.motinfo.gov.uk/htdocs/m4i00000101.htm

This is the m.o.t inspection manual. Have a look through.

 

[NorthloopCup]

My race car passed its MOT, with the service and air bag light on, the tester showed me a caveat on the MOT test stating that if the track car has a cage and harness then it will pass the MOT regardless.

So its an official thing that came in force last April (iirc)

^^^^^^^This! If the vehicle has been modified for track use it's almost like writing out your own mot cert! To qualify it must have a rollcage though apparently.

 

[M.C..]

I e-mailed VOSA last year as I wanted to know what would happen come MOT time and this is what they sent me which agrees with what NorthloopCup and sonny172cup have said.
I have found a local MOT station today that have done loads of MOT's on rally cars and the owner has a rally car so think it will be going there

VOSA reply
Thank you for your e-mail enquiry dated 12th August 2013, concerning MOT.

We are aware that the inspection of many of the new testable components may adversely impact modified vehicles. We have therefore made provision for most modifications to be accepted, provided that the vehicle is in fact extensively modified to meet a particular purpose, rather than simply modified on a whim and a fancy.

The Introduction of the 2012 MOT Inspection Manual was amended at the end of April to coincide with the commencement of testing the new components. It states:

Modified Vehicles

Where a vehicle has been extensively modified or converted, Reasons for Rejection for 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 seat belts etc.) may have been converted so as not to require a brake servo or power steering

• a car converted to a stretch limousine may no longer be fitted with curtain airbags

Additionally, Section 5.1 of the Manual will be amended to state: "An adult harness belt comprising a lap belt and shoulder straps bearing an FIA, British Standard or European approval marking (an upper case ’E’ or lower case ‘e’ and a number) is an acceptable alternative to any of the seat belt types listed"

It is also worth pointing out that Section 6.2 of the Manual, on Seats and Doors, already contains a note in the Information Column which states: "Original design characteristics and specialised modifications (e.g. to enable wheelchair access) are to be accepted"

It must be remembered however, that modifications can only be accepted so long as they comply with the Road Vehicles (Construction & Use) Regulations 1986 and the Road Vehicles (Lighting) Regulations 1989 as amended.

The MOT inspection manual also states:-

If an ABS or ESC system has been intentionally rendered inoperative, the whole system must be removed. However, this does not apply to sensor rings or other ABS components which are an integral part of another component e.g. brake disc or drive.

I hope this information has assisted you with your enquiry, but if you have any further questions please do not hesitate to contact us again.

Kind Regards,

Robert Evans
Customer Service Centre
VOSA Operations Directorate
Tel: 0300 123 9000

 

[masekwm]

I recall that the rear belts had to be completely removed, but then if you've stripped the rear for the cage then the mounting bolts and all will be in a box somewhere anyway.

 

[Martin.]

My race car passed its MOT, with the service and air bag light on, the tester showed me a caveat on the MOT test stating that if the track car has a cage and harness then it will pass the MOT regardless.

So its an official thing that came in force last April (iirc)

Where do you take it out of interest? Matt did my last one (apparently the car didn't even leave his garage lol)

 

[sonny172cup]

Place in Bromley mate, normal MOT station, he has done a few of my cars now.

 

[Kelv]

This is handy to know Sonny.

 

[M.C..]

Taken the car for its MOT today and it passed with no advisories.
I found a local garage that preps rally cars so seeing a stripped out car with cage etc is not a shock to them, I spoke to a few garages a couple of weeks ago and most were not really sure what to do and was looking on the computer and said it will have advisory for loads of things, so it is worth having a chat before booking it in somewhere.

 

[urquattrogus]

Mine passed using a print iut from the. Gov uk website, states cars midified fir road and rally etc...

 

[bashracing]

The problem with the Test Regulations is that vosa/dvsa expect the Tester to apply his own common sense to what ever He comes across, unfortunately there are a lot of testers that think they are the modifying police and just fail anything that's a little different, whats has been said above is correct, and I'm glad people have found understanding test stations that know the in's and outs of the Test Regs.