JohnD

iTrader: (5)

My son (former STi owner, now with an EVO IX) has a Fiesta ST that he uses for track days. He's made some mods including full harness, racing seats and a smaller Momo steering wheel which has deleted the airbag. It looked as if he would need to replace the steering wheel at least, for the MOT. He made enquiries with VOSA and recieved the reply as per below.
This information may be of use to some who have or are thinking of, making certain mods for track or circuit use?

Hope this is okay to ask here as I cannot find any answers elswhere.
>
> My MOT is due soon and I have a car that I use for Track use with race
> seats and 4 point harnesses (that have been inspected previously), but is
> still used to and from the race track. My concern is with the SRS airbag
> system.
> In the new MOT rules a car manufactured with an airbag must have one and in
> working order, but I have heard (unofficially) that if the system has been
> removed and there is sufficient safety restraints, in my case harnesses
> this would be acceptable (as in the case for rally cars). Would this be
> correct?
>
> Could I have clarification on the MOT rules about this. Does a car with
> approved and inspected safety restraint, such as harnesses still need to
> have an airbag present, or if present does the airbag warning light need to
> be indicating a working system?
>
> many thanks for any help or advice you could offer me.
>
> Chris Dodd.
>




Dear Mr Dodd,
>
> Thank you for your email enquiry dated 27th April, 2012 concerning MOT rule
> confirmation.
>
> If an airbag has been removed on a vehicle which has been specifically
> modified for rally use it would be covered by a new paragraph in the
> introduction of the Inspection Manual which will state:
>
> Modified Vehicles
>
> Where a vehicle has been extensively modified or converted, certain
> Reasons for Rejection, such as 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, power
> steering or airbags
>
> a car converted to a stretch limousine may no longer be fitted
> with curtain airbags or functional Electronic Stability
> Control.
>
> 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
>
> Christina M Joseph
> Customer Service Centre
> VOSA Operations Directorate
> Tel: 0300 123 9000
>
> The staff at the VOSA Contact Centre are keen to hear your feedback on the
> service that they provide for you,to enable them to further understand
> customer requirements and make improvements where possible. Please take a
> few moments to complete our Contact Centre Customer Feedback form by
> clicking here
>
>
> Stay informed: Sign up for free email alerts and newsletters from VOSA
> Direct.

gingeral

iTrader: (1)

Mine went for the MOT last week and pass with the air bag light on. The MOT guy said it won't fail on that YET but VOSA are changing it. Best thing to do is take the bulb out, me thinks.

alcazar

iTrader: (2)

If you remove the bulb, and they do the test CORRECTLY,it's still a fail: they need to see it illuminate and go out.