Rebody Missing Airbags and other MOT stuff.

[Duncodin]

We've had lots of discussions about our body mods, interiors etc. One subject keeps coming up.

Airbags.

The general consensus appears to be that an MOT tester just needs to look at the LED on the dash and if that's working then all is OK. It's been said that the MOT tester is not even 'allowed' to look at anything except that LED.

Here's some excerpts from the MOT Inspection manual.

First. The bit about an MOT tester just looking at the LED (ie not allowed to look for an actual Airbag)

Introduction. Paragraph 10
. . . . You are therefore expected to use your knowledge, experience and judgement to assess if the condition of a component has reached the stage where it’s obviously adversely affecting its functionality or likely to adversely affect the roadworthiness of the vehicle..

So, that paragraph says that a tester is expected to use their knowledge, experience and judgement etc. ie not simply tick a box.

Then in the seat belts and airbags section. .

7.1 Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems (SRS)
. .
7.1.5 Airbags

(a) (b) (c)

Defect An airbag fitted as original equipment obviously missing Not in use Airbag obviously inoperative

Fault Category Major (ie passenger bag switched off is no fault) Major

So. The tester is allowed to use his/her experience and judgment in deciding if a steering wheel airbag is obviously missing. Maybe (c) is not so easy. But (a) is pretty conclusive.

What about the LED?

7.1.6
...
Warning messages on dashboard displays are not a defect in their own right, but may assist the tester in determining that the warning lamp is illuminated because a malfunction exists.

 

[Pingu]

Some (I would argue that all should) interpret the testing like they test other things (like rear wipers)...

If it's there, it has to work.

If it's absent, it can't be tested, and is therefore a pass.

I think that's what (b) is all about.

 

[Duncodin]

Some (I would argue that all should) interpret the testing like they test other things (like rear wipers)...

If it's there, it has to work.

If it's absent, it can't be tested, and is therefore a pass.

I think that's what (b) is all about.

(b) is when it refers to the passenger airbag which can be switched off. For example some cars it can be switched off. I didn't paste the whole thing in but it does say "A passenger airbag that is switched off is not a defect."

But everything is open to interpretation. I for one will hope that my MOT tester interprets it to my liking - I'll be able to put a driver's airbag in for the test and I hope he won't know that the car had a passenger airbag anyway - but will make sure I can put the old dash back in just in case.

 

[Stevo7682]

All i will say is the less it looks like a z3 the better chance you have.

But you are right by the book it would be a fail for original equipment missing.
The light is a different matter
It would fail if on but would not fail if didn't come on .

Whereas Abs would fail if on but would also fail for not following sequence ie not coming on to perform system check then going out again

There are a number of things on the test you may come across that are not testable for various reasons or configuration like rear wiper spare wheel certain seat layout but Vosa tend to frown a bit on removal of safety and more now emissions equipment

Stephen.

 

[Pond]

Well I don't know of anyone who has had a problem with any MOT tester on a rebodied Z3 with no airbags.
I didn't say anything to mine when I took it for it's first MOT once finished. He didn't mention anything either. I had also never used the garage before (because my favoured MOT place has shut down). I didn't offer to pay for his holiday as a sweetener, or anything like that. It got an advisory-free pass.
At the time it was still registered as a Z3 and also had the original number plate.

If he had asked questions, I would have said it has bespoke airbags which are designed to look like it doesn't have them and asked him to prove otherwise. Without ripping the car apart there is no way of proof one way or the other.

Maybe most MOT testers just look at it this way...."I know you have taken the airbags out but the 'system' says all is well, so it's your funeral."
I would also like to think that most MOT testers see what we have spent a lot of time, effort and money trying to achieve and appreciate that, rather than just being a 'jobsworth'.

 

[Pond]

It's pertinent to point out that there are also thousands of cars driving around with airbags in-situ that don't work. I know of one particular model of BMW that are starting to have problems with their airbag controllers as they grow older. Replacement controllers are no longer available and coding used ones is very expensive and problematic. So these people are by-passing the electrics with aftermarket timers and wiring looms to keep them MOTed. They have airbags....they just can't deploy! Which is the same as having none in practical terms.

 

[Pond]

I for one will hope that my MOT tester interprets it to my liking - I'll be able to put a driver's airbag in for the test and I hope he won't know that the car had a passenger airbag anyway - but will make sure I can put the old dash back in just in case.

I don't understand why you continue to be so worried by the MOT and airbags. You have been given first-hand experience by many people that it isn't a problem! We are not lying.

 

[Duncodin]

Maybe most MOT testers just look at it this way...."I know you have taken the airbags out but the 'system' says all is well, so it's your funeral."

I'm sure you're right. I'm also sure my tester will pass my new dashboard too. But when I drive into a ditch and knock my teeth out on my heavy duty, over engineered dashboard then I'm gonna report him to the DVSA for letting me drive round in a death trap.

 

[Duncodin]

I don't understand why you continue to be so worried by the MOT and airbags. You have been given first-hand experience by many people that it isn't a problem! We are not lying.

I'm not saying you're lying. But if you want to split hairs it is you who said that the tester is not allowed to do anything except look at the LED.

I"m just saying that the tester 'is' allowed, in fact they are required to do more.

But they simply choose not to.

But maybe we shouldn't take it for granted that all mot testers don't care.

 

[Pond]

But maybe we shouldn't take it for granted that all mot testers don't care.

OK, then you will need to keep changing your dashboards over every year in case you find an anally retentive MOT tester who has a wife that hates him.
Good luck with that and rather you than me!

 

[Pond]

But if you want to split hairs it is you who said that the tester is not allowed to do anything except look at the LED.

It's what I have been told (by an MOT tester). And my experience was just that.
Stop worrying....do whatever you want to do and it will be fine.

This "airbag-gate" is becoming a classic case of creating a problem that didn't exist IMO.