Club 80-90 Forums

I understand that tow bar electrics are to be tested in the near future for MOT's. There is a multi connection socket on my van but the previous owner cut the cable just behind the bumper and removed it completely leaving just the socket. Will it pass the MOT when this test comes in ?

If it ain't broke don't fix it

getunder wrote:If it ain't broke don't fix it

Im not sure without checking, saying that don't think we have had anything through yet regarding this test. But I think I read somewhere that if it has a towbar fitted, then the black socket is to be tested (with a new tester) and has to work...

Scammellman wrote:If it ain't working [and clearly it isn't] then it's BROKE.
The rule for testing is that if equipment is present it MUST be working. If you met a particularly pernickety tester he could fail you, because if the tow hitch is still there, the electrics must be working

Where have you got that 'rule' from?

Scammellman wrote:"Where have you got that 'rule' from?

Scammellman wrote:Perhaps I didn't express myself very clearly so let me give you an example. If you own an historic car that never had seat belts, you are under no obligation to fit belts, but if you do they must be working properly or it will fail the MOT. Is this not so?

What you say above is correct, but what you said about towbar electrics is not correct. Towbar electrics are not part of the test..at the moment. So if your socket is broken/corroded or missing, it doesn't matter, for now. Likewise your ref to equipment (whatever that is) not working so should be a fail is not right too. For example air bags and the air bag lamp on the dash are not part of the test...HTH

The new MOT regulations next year only cover the testing of the newer 13 pin trailer sockets. The old 7 pin sockets are not tested.

fullsunian wrote:

getunder wrote:If it ain't broke don't fix it

Im not sure without checking, saying that don't think we have had anything through yet regarding this test. But I think I read somewhere that if it has a towbar fitted, then the black socket is to be tested (with a new tester) and has to work...

It was in VOSA special notice 1 January 2011

bigherb wrote:

fullsunian wrote:

getunder wrote:If it ain't broke don't fix it

Im not sure without checking, saying that don't think we have had anything through yet regarding this test. But I think I read somewhere that if it has a towbar fitted, then the black socket is to be tested (with a new tester) and has to work...

It was in VOSA special notice 1 January 2011

So it was but it hasn't gone into great detail about what is to be tested yet.