MOT regs on seatbelts

[R2D2]

Hi All,

Can someone clarify seatbelt rules for me?

Boy's Disco going for MOT tomorrow, has seven seats but no belts for the two in the rear  :doh:  so as a precaution I've removed them ;)  ;)   :-$

Advice welcommed.

[Disco-Ron]

If the seats aren't there...... you don;t need seatbelts.....

[R2D2]

Ah Agreed Disco Ron.

But, if I'd left them in would it fail?

[Disco Matt]

I think so, yes - as I understand it the rules can be distilled to "If it would have had belts when it left the factory, it must have them for the test", as far as the tester is concerned this would be a 7-seat Disco which should have a full set of belts.

Obviously older vehicles that have had belts retro-fitted will have the belts checked to ensure they meet the required standards.

[lee celtic]

When I took mine for am MOT the guy never even looked at the dickie seats ...

Then again the boot was full to the roof with old rape seed oil bottles ;)

[redhand]

I think so, yes - as I understand it the rules can be distilled to "If it would have had belts when it left the factory, it must have them for the test", as far as the tester is concerned this would be a 7-seat Disco which should have a full set of belts.

Obviously older vehicles that have had belts retro-fitted will have the belts checked to ensure they meet the required standards.
[/quote

I'll need to check but I'm fairly certain side facing seat don't have to have belts fitted. In fact it's now illegal to use a lapbelt if the seats occupant is a child.

[SEDDEY]

MOTed mine on Wednesday, .............. never checked the rear seats!

[lee celtic]

your boot full as well ;)

[hobbit]

It may also depend on how many seats your vehicle has recorded in having

They go by the total number of seats, excluding the drivers, so it will say either 4 or 6

Worth a look at your cert

[redhand]

Ok just checked the MOT testers Manual and It says "Rear facing or sideward facing seat are not required to have a seatbelt fitted"

It also says this "Occasional seats that fold when not in use, fitted in the rear of extended limousines are not required to be fitted with seatbelts" I'm not sure wether a disco actually counts as an extended limousine?? but presumably it applies to all occasional seats.