Help!! MOT rules

[swainerjim]

hi iam stripping my car for competition but still wanting to use on road a bit so needing mot and wandering if theres any rules on purspex/poly windows? and if u have harness do u still need seatbelt? and fiberglass boot/wings/bonnet? and stripped interior i will still have dash?
all help and suggestions welcome
cheers

[maxfield]

It becomes a very grey area MOT testing cars like this. It does certainly depend on the MOT tester.

Perspex windows are fine, as are fibreglass wings and being stripped out.

As for harnesses, in the manual it does state you are allowed an adult harness belt instead of a normal belt.

It also states that the front drivers seat is supposed to slide, but I'm sure they word it. That if it doesn't slide it's not a reason to fail.

Like I said depends of the tester.

[Jimbob]

I think I read somewhere that as long as it's a fixed based the seat is ok. You'll need the washer jets mounting to the wiper arms if you have a fibreglass bonnet without the holes for them.

[GB69]

Should all be fine aslong as its secure.

[Motorhole]

Certain stuff needs to be present if 'fitted as standard'. Examples:

Airbag
Sliding seats
Vacuum servo

However, introduced early last year (March 2013 iirc), there was special dispensation for competition cars - stuff that isn't present but was fitted as standard can be passed for such vehicles, at the tester's discretion. I went through all this as I have a pedal box fitted and therefore no servo. Just have a word with your tester, explain what you've done and you shouldn't have any probs - the dude I had test my car gave VOSA a call and happily passed it afterwards.

[Brianmoooore]

It's ALL in here: http://www.motinfo.gov.uk/htdocs/m4i00000101.htm

[swainerjim]

cheers guys i think i will have a chat with my mot tester iam sure he will be happy to help

[Brianmoooore]

Don't assume that because he's a qualified tester that he's familiar all of the darker recesses of that manual. Read it up yourself, so that you can point him to the relevant sections

[jmc330i]

Don't assume that because he's a qualified tester that he's familiar all of the darker recesses of that manual. Read it up yourself, so that you can point him to the relevant sections

As I ended up doing with a tester in regards to the emissions test and engine swaps, thanks to Brian who pointed us all in the right direction.

[maxfield]

Don't assume that because he's a qualified tester that he's familiar all of the darker recesses of that manual. Read it up yourself, so that you can point him to the relevant sections

As I ended up doing with a tester in regards to the emissions test and engine swaps, thanks to Brian who pointed us all in the right direction.

I'm a tester myself and don't know all of the manual.

It really does depend on the tester as I've come accross some arseholes in my time

[Driftben]

Funny this has come up, I was going through the scary stages of getting mine ready for MOT time.
Along with a full roll cage, M60 up front and hydro handbrake to name the main things. How do you recon they will hold up with passing that one?

[maxfield]

Aslong as there is a mechanical handbrake as well as the hydro.

Engine - not an issue. Emissions will be tested on year of car.

Cage - not a testable item.

[Brianmoooore]

Engine - not an issue. Emissions will be tested on year of car.

Not quite! Even if the car and/or the engine is of an age (post 08/92) that required testing to the later limits, it will only be tested to the earlier 1200/3.5% limits because this is a non standard body/engine combination.

[maxfield]

Engine - not an issue. Emissions will be tested on year of car.

Not quite! Even if the car and/or the engine is of an age (post 08/92) that required testing to the later limits, it will only be tested to the earlier 1200/3.5% limits because this is a non standard body/engine combination.

I was only on about Bens car. As I was guessing his M60 was newer than his E30

But yes if the engine is older than the car it should be tested on the engine, assuming the vehicle owner provides the age of the engine. Then you would just test on the age of the car.

[Driftben]

Thanks guys, I might struggle with the handbrake then as I don't have a mechanical anymore
But the M60 in from a 95 and the e30 is a 89 so they should just test from the later values? Am I getting that right?
What about dash? Does that have to be all in there?

[Brianmoooore]

I have a post 08/92 E30 touring with a '95 engine. Both the car and the engine are new enough to have to be tested to the lower emissions limit, but because this combination was never produced by BMW, it is tested to the earlier limits.
http://www.motinfo.gov.uk/htdocs/m4s07000309.htm

[Driftben]

Ohh cool beans so by the sounds of it I could get away with the earlier limits then but I have a feeling I'll have to remind or educate the MOT guy.

[Brianmoooore]

Just added a link to my last post. Note where it says "Can you find an exact match........" on the top line.

[Driftben]

Ahh that's some good news right there, all I have to do is sort out a mechanical handbrake and ill book her in. Is there anything for fuel tank and pumps in the boot?

[Brianmoooore]

Only mention of fuel system in the MOT test is that everything is secure, hoses aren't being chaffed, and that nothing leaks, including the filler cap.
Passing a MOT test doesn't mean everything is road legal though.

[Driftben]

Ohh it's more safer than that of a production car
It's just a ball ache to try and please the not so clued up MOT man with out knowing yourself to put up a fight

[duracel79]

From what i've heard an old rally trick for a mechanical handbrake was:

A hole in the transmission tunnel and a long screwdriver poked through into the prop UJ.

Pretty crude, not sure if mr MOT man would still like it.

Ben