MOT new regs - now need a half cage!?

[ad_car_08]

Some of you may know I've stripped my car right out to use it as an occasional use/track orientated car for track days. I've spent a lot of time recently trying to get the airbag light extinguished and now I've been dealt a kick in the nadgers.. 

I've been getting my car MOT'd at work (Honda dealership) for as many years as I've worked here....booked my car in for an MOT this Saturday and having a little chat to one of the workshop technicians. Long story short he told me not to bother bringing it in because he'll have to fail it! 

With the new MOT regs, I'll fail because of;

• the original steering wheel has been removed, and thus the airbag. I need to be able to remove the steering wheel to get in and out
• the drivers seat is fixed, and doesn't move 'aft or fore'
• the seat belt reels/pretensioners have been removed

I called a local MOT testing station who said the only way around it, is to fit a full/half cage so the car is identified as a competition car.
This ring true with other folk on here? I'm trying not to sink a ridiculous amount of money in the car, as it's just a tatty toy...

[Call the midlife!]

Some of you may know I've stripped my car right out to use it as an occasional use/track orientated car for track days. I've spent a lot of time recently trying to get the airbag light extinguished and now I've been dealt a kick in the nadgers.. 

I've been getting my car MOT'd at work (Honda dealership) for as many years as I've worked here....booked my car in for an MOT this Saturday and having a little chat to one of the workshop technicians. Long story short he told me not to bother bringing it in because he'll have to fail it! 

With the new MOT regs, I'll fail because of;

• the original steering wheel has been removed, and thus the airbag. I need to be able to remove the steering wheel to get in and out
• the drivers seat is fixed, and doesn't move 'aft or fore'
• the seat belt reels/pretensioners have been removed

I called a local MOT testing station who said the only way around it, is to fit a full/half cage so the car is identified as a competition car.
This ring true with other folk on here? I'm trying not to sink a ridiculous amount of money in the car, as it's just a tatty toy...

Yup. In a nutshell you're currently presenting a modified car with factory fitted safety systems removed. Cage and harness and you're back in the game.


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[wotugonado]

Didn't think the new MOT rules came into effect till middle of May 
Have I got that wrong ?
I'm presenting mine early for MOT this week to avoid the rule changes till next year or so I thought.....

[Call the midlife!]

Didn't think the new MOT rules came into effect till middle of May 
Have I got that wrong ?
I'm presenting mine early for MOT this week to avoid the rule changes till next year or so I thought.....

Nope, you're right, it'll buy you a year.


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[ad_car_08]

The new MOT certificate and regs are in force now!

[1979scotte]

I got my MOT in early for similar reasons.
No check engine light.

You guys are a bit late 20th May 2018.
Sorry

[mr2stuff]

oh dear, so an aftermarket steering wheel without airbag is out of the question for the new mot.

[1979scotte]

oh dear, so an aftermarket steering wheel without airbag is out of the question for the new mot.

Yes mate.
Just swap your old one back on.

[wotugonado]

But we are still in April, so why are they in force now I'm well confused

[1979scotte]

But we are still in April, so why are they in force now I'm well confused

Yes we are still in April so what am I on about?
And what is the MOT tester about?

[wotugonado]

 
I'll soon find out on Friday........

[Call the midlife!]

But we are still in April, so why are they in force now I'm well confused

Yes we are still in April so what am I on about?
And what is the MOT tester about?

I was scratching my head at that and ad's statement above too, don't come in until May for sure.


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[Call the midlife!]

oh dear, so an aftermarket steering wheel without airbag is out of the question for the new mot.

Yes mate.
Just swap your old one back on.

There's a bit of greyness with that one, as with some others, it's not the testers responsibility to check if it should have an airbag fitted and if you're reasonably modified you might get away with an advisory.
However the advisory system has all changed as well so it's a bit of a gamble.


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[ad_car_08]

oh dear, so an aftermarket steering wheel without airbag is out of the question for the new mot.

Yes mate.
Just swap your old one back on.

There's a bit of greyness with that one, as with some others, it's not the testers responsibility to check if it should have an airbag fitted and if you're reasonably modified you might get away with an advisory.
However the advisory system has all changed as well so it's a bit of a gamble.


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The technician at work said in no uncertain terms not to waste my time bringing it in...it'll fail.

Anyone recommend anywhere to get a half cage fitted? I seem to remember one knocking about a while ago - selling in Folkestone? I presume that's sold now??

[1979scotte]

oh dear, so an aftermarket steering wheel without airbag is out of the question for the new mot.

Yes mate.
Just swap your old one back on.

There's a bit of greyness with that one, as with some others, it's not the testers responsibility to check if it should have an airbag fitted and if you're reasonably modified you might get away with an advisory.
However the advisory system has all changed as well so it's a bit of a gamble.


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The technician at work said in no uncertain terms not to waste my time bringing it in...it'll fail.

Anyone recommend anywhere to get a half cage fitted? I seem to remember one knocking about a while ago - selling in Folkestone? I presume that's sold now??

Take it elsewhere then. Unless it would have failed under previous regs.
New regs do not come in to force until 20th May.
Some MOT testers are more friendly than others 

[Call the midlife!]

Megillian Motorsport make cages/half cages that retain use of the soft top (can't remember if you ditched yours) but they're very busy at the moment so don't expect miracles.
It was suggested elsewhere that if you have a harness installed it negates the need for the airbag etc. (Your head would never reach the wheel/screen).


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[wotugonado]

MOT'd today and they have given me the new issue certificate, looks like THEY ARE  already implementing the new rules 

[ad_car_08]

Megillian Motorsport make cages/half cages that retain use of the soft top (can't remember if you ditched yours) but they're very busy at the moment so don't expect miracles.
It was suggested elsewhere that if you have a harness installed it negates the need for the airbag etc. (Your head would never reach the wheel/screen).


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Just found their cages on a Web search...they do look the job, don't they!!

[Call the midlife!]

Megillian Motorsport make cages/half cages that retain use of the soft top (can't remember if you ditched yours) but they're very busy at the moment so don't expect miracles.
It was suggested elsewhere that if you have a harness installed it negates the need for the airbag etc. (Your head would never reach the wheel/screen).


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Just found their cages on a Web search...they do look the job, don't they!!

Yup. They don't only do MR2s either so have quite a lot of experience in bespoke fabrication, the half cage retains full use of the soft top but you'll lose the doors to the storage bins.


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[Bossworld]

So... called to book an MOT at a different garage and they've advised some of the new rules come in on 1st May (can't find anything to correlate that).  The car failed on two items back in April (but the previous test doesn't expire until June), so I've got time to get those two items fixed.

---

One other thing I've noticed reading through:

6.1.3

e: Fire risk due to fuel tank shield or exhaust shield missing where fitted as original equipment

Would the Cat heat shield count towards this?  Mine was removed when I had a new cat fitted and they never refitted it.

[jonbill]

I would think a good tester would only interpret that as a problem where the exhaust runs directly under the fuel tank, which it doesn't in the roadster case.

[ad_car_08]

Got my MOT yesterday    took it elsewhere, as suggested.

Now need to find somewhere to install me a half cage - i'm in the market!!

[Ardent]

Fresh mot no advisories.
Asked tester if anything i need to worry about with new regs coming in. Basically. No.

[m1tch]

Fresh mot no advisories.
Asked tester if anything i need to worry about with new regs coming in. Basically. No.

The new test now includes the EML and removal of airbags unless the car is a competition car, most of the other aspects are the same (such as handbrakes etc) but there are a few additional items on there now - although its mainly going after anyone who has removed the DPFs from modern diesels.

[Ardent]

Yep
More geared towards dpf bandits etc etc.