ScaniaPBman Posted August 31, 2017 Share Posted August 31, 2017 This is one for a MOT tester really.......... My Focus hatchback is used frequently to carry things with the back seat folded down. For my MOT today I cleared everything out, put the seat up and buckled up the belts in preparation. Now if I had left the seat down, or even left all my stuff in, would it have failed because the tester could not access the belts? IT's a bit of an academic question now really since it passed OK, but next time I could save myself some time clearing out and then putting all the stuff back. Thanks in advance, ScaniaPBman. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trailertrash Posted August 31, 2017 Share Posted August 31, 2017 Hi Mike, I had a Mondeo estate 3 yrs ago which I used for my work and it passed at least 2 MOTs with the rear seats down and stock in the back. I haven't got the old certs but from memory they just mark 'Not Available' or some such. I can't imagine that the law has changed... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iantt Posted August 31, 2017 Share Posted August 31, 2017 it would be pass and advise in your case if there was difficulty in fixing seat back in the upright locked position due to large or fragile items in the way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iantt Posted August 31, 2017 Share Posted August 31, 2017 " this is not mandatory where it would be unreasonable, such as due to the presence of heavy, fragile or numerous passenger effects or other articles"that applies to rear seats and belts. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iantt Posted August 31, 2017 Share Posted August 31, 2017 a good case would be a dog cage fixed in the rear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScaniaPBman Posted August 31, 2017 Author Share Posted August 31, 2017 Thanks guys for the fast response, Guess that answers my question well. ScaniaPBman. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
biff55 Posted August 31, 2017 Share Posted August 31, 2017 iantt's MOT motto is "get yer junk outta the trunk , or i'll fail yer jalopy" :-) 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iantt Posted August 31, 2017 Share Posted August 31, 2017 nope, leave your junk in the trunk!! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greysquirrel Posted September 1, 2017 Share Posted September 1, 2017 Surprisingly, if there is a child seat fitted on a rear seatbelt, they don't check that belt. I can see why, but just find it odd that the most important belt in the car is not checked for safety. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScaniaPBman Posted August 13, 2018 Author Share Posted August 13, 2018 (edited) Sorry to resurrect this old topic but I have done so to keep all the relevant info in the same place. So I went to have my Focus MOTed today. As discussed above it had the rear seat folded down and the back full of my regular junk. This was not my regular testing station and it was my first time with the back seat down after the recent change to the MOT rules several months back. I enquired, and all the staff there were adamant, put the seat up so that the belts could be checked or fail. I had to make a pile of my kit outside the garage and put it in after. The car passed OK, incidentally. My question to our regular tester members is just this, have the rules on this situation changed or are my new testing station testers making up the rules as they go along? Thanks in anticipation, ScaniaPBman. PS. They said also that rear child seats must be removed as well. Edited August 13, 2018 by ScaniaPBman PS added. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iantt Posted August 13, 2018 Share Posted August 13, 2018 yeah, its changed or clarified depending on how you interperate the wording . now its in black and white you can refuse to test . 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
isetta Posted August 13, 2018 Share Posted August 13, 2018 The MOT manual is available on the govt website for the public to view. I have not checked it myself with regard to your query (it was updated May 2018). https://www.mot-testing.service.gov.uk/documents/manuals/class3457/ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iantt Posted August 13, 2018 Share Posted August 13, 2018 18 minutes ago, isetta said: The MOT manual is available on the govt website for the public to view. I have not checked it myself with regard to your query (it was updated May 2018). https://www.mot-testing.service.gov.uk/documents/manuals/class3457/ thats where i just been and checked as i didnt know. ive only done 6 mots since the changes came in , not enough to have all the changes in my head yet. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScaniaPBman Posted August 13, 2018 Author Share Posted August 13, 2018 7.1.2 Seat belt fitment and condition You must check any visible parts of: all seat belts fitted all child seat restraints fitted You should lift folded seats to inspect seat belts. However, you don't have to do this if you'd need tools to do it. If you can't lift seats because there are heavy or fragile items on the seat, you can refuse to test the vehicle. For details, see item 4d in the introduction. Item 4d says The reasons for refusing to carry out the test are: The tester considers a load or other items, or insecurity of a load or other items, would prevent a proper test being carried out – unless the load is secured or removed. The above is extracted from the most recent MOT manual cited above. However there is some wriggle room since the wording says "you can refuse" not "you MUST refuse" Anyway thanks for your time and advice. ScaniaPBman. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Ford UK Shop
Sponsored Ad
Name: eBay
Ford Model: FordUK Shop
Ford Year: 2024
Latest Deals
Ford UK Shop for genuine Ford parts & accessoriesDisclaimer: As the club is an eBay Partner, The club may be compensated if you make a purchase via the club
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.