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Chat Area => General Car Chat => Topic started by: tigers_gonads on 08 February 2011, 17:54:10

Title: tow bars and mot's
Post by: tigers_gonads on 08 February 2011, 17:54:10
the towbar on my estate has twin electric's but only the lighting socket is conected.
the other one ( charging ) has never been conected up.

i've been told that towbars are now on the vosa mot hit list.

do they test both sockets or just the lighting one ?
Title: Re: tow bars and mot's
Post by: Andy B on 08 February 2011, 17:58:32
Quote
the towbar on my estate has twin electric's but only the lighting socket is conected.
the other one ( charging ) has never been conected up.

i've been told that towbars are now on the vosa mot hit list.

do they test both sockets or just the lighting one ?

They only check that the towbar is structurally sound and don't test either of the electrics.  :y  :y
Title: Re: tow bars and mot's
Post by: tigers_gonads on 08 February 2011, 18:01:59
cheers andy  :y
saves me a job of removing the plug  ;)
Title: Re: tow bars and mot's
Post by: lee4206 on 08 February 2011, 22:35:10
Quote
Quote
the towbar on my estate has twin electric's but only the lighting socket is conected.
the other one ( charging ) has never been conected up.

i've been told that towbars are now on the vosa mot hit list.

do they test both sockets or just the lighting one ?

They only check that the towbar is structurally sound and don't test either of the electrics.  :y  :y

For now.  Vosa are starting to test the electrics as fron 01/01/2012.
Title: Re: tow bars and mot's
Post by: Andy B on 08 February 2011, 22:45:46
Quote
....
For now.  Vosa are starting to test the electrics as fron 01/01/2012.

That's worth knowing. Will that be to check that they actually work correctly or are just not potentially dangerous? And would your car fail if it wasn't actually wired up?
Title: Re: tow bars and mot's
Post by: lee4206 on 08 February 2011, 22:53:57
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Quote
....
For now.  Vosa are starting to test the electrics as fron 01/01/2012.

That's worth knowing. Will that be to check that they actually work correctly or are just not potentially dangerous? And would your car fail if it wasn't actually wired up?
[/quote



All I know at the moment is its to test the wiring in the plus ie all connected and connected correctly. It may be a case if its not connected at all its not testable but if it is and there's a fault then its a fail.
Title: Re: tow bars and mot's
Post by: Andy B on 08 February 2011, 23:01:23
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For now.  Vosa are starting to test the electrics as fron 01/01/2012.

That's worth knowing. Will that be to check that they actually work correctly or are just not potentially dangerous? And would your car fail if it wasn't actually wired up?

All I know at the moment is its to test the wiring in the plus ie all connected and connected correctly. It may be a case if its not connected at all its not testable but if it is and there's a fault then its a fail.

I'm sure it won't be a problem as my single 13 pin is frequently used ...... I'll just leave the detachable bit at home so he'll have to 'not test it'  ;) ;) ;)
Title: Re: tow bars and mot's
Post by: Entwood on 08 February 2011, 23:02:13
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Quote
....
For now.  Vosa are starting to test the electrics as fron 01/01/2012.

That's worth knowing. Will that be to check that they actually work correctly or are just not potentially dangerous? And would your car fail if it wasn't actually wired up?


Been nothing about this in any caravan press I know of, and absolutely nothing on the VOSA site either.

A search of VOSA site on "towbar" only brings up the one article .. the one we know of ..

http://www.dft.gov.uk/vosa/newsandevents/pressreleases/2009pressreleases/1-04-09vosaannouncesnewmottestfees.htm
Title: Re: tow bars and mot's
Post by: lee4206 on 09 February 2011, 21:17:20
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Quote
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For now.  Vosa are starting to test the electrics as fron 01/01/2012.

That's worth knowing. Will that be to check that they actually work correctly or are just not potentially dangerous? And would your car fail if it wasn't actually wired up?


Been nothing about this in any caravan press I know of, and absolutely nothing on the VOSA site either.

A search of VOSA site on "towbar" only brings up the one article .. the one we know of ..

http://www.dft.gov.uk/vosa/newsandevents/pressreleases/2009pressreleases/1-04-09vosaannouncesnewmottestfees.htm
[/highlight]

Im a tester and we've just had a special notice through telling us we need the 13pin testers by 1/1/12 which is when we start testing the sockets. So its definitely going to happen

Here's the link to the notice we got  http://www.dft.gov.uk/vosa/repository/Special%20Notice%2001-11.pdf
Title: Re: tow bars and mot's
Post by: Psychoca on 09 February 2011, 21:54:29
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Quote
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For now.  Vosa are starting to test the electrics as fron 01/01/2012.

That's worth knowing. Will that be to check that they actually work correctly or are just not potentially dangerous? And would your car fail if it wasn't actually wired up?


Been nothing about this in any caravan press I know of, and absolutely nothing on the VOSA site either.

A search of VOSA site on "towbar" only brings up the one article .. the one we know of ..

http://www.dft.gov.uk/vosa/newsandevents/pressreleases/2009pressreleases/1-04-09vosaannouncesnewmottestfees.htm
[/highlight]

Im a tester and we've just had a special notice through telling us we need the 13pin testers by 1/1/12 which is when we start testing the sockets. So its definitely going to happen

Here's the link to the notice we got  http://www.dft.gov.uk/vosa/repository/Special%20Notice%2001-11.pdf

Just wondering (as MOT's are in the topic) whether there is anything to the Chipped ECU and MOT's...
Title: Re: tow bars and mot's
Post by: Entwood on 09 February 2011, 22:13:14
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Quote
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Quote
....
For now.  Vosa are starting to test the electrics as fron 01/01/2012.

That's worth knowing. Will that be to check that they actually work correctly or are just not potentially dangerous? And would your car fail if it wasn't actually wired up?


Been nothing about this in any caravan press I know of, and absolutely nothing on the VOSA site either.

A search of VOSA site on "towbar" only brings up the one article .. the one we know of ..

http://www.dft.gov.uk/vosa/newsandevents/pressreleases/2009pressreleases/1-04-09vosaannouncesnewmottestfees.htm
[/highlight]

Im a tester and we've just had a special notice through telling us we need the 13pin testers by 1/1/12 which is when we start testing the sockets. So its definitely going to happen

Here's the link to the notice we got  http://www.dft.gov.uk/vosa/repository/Special%20Notice%2001-11.pdf


Thanks for that ... shame the great british public have not been informed as well ... :(

The other points that puzzle me .... a) most older cars (MOTable) will have 12N/12S sockets not 13-pin ones.... and b) Caravan 13 pin sockets come in 3 different varieties (although one is decidely more common)

I just wonder if this is an HGV requirement ??? are all HGV sockets 13 pin ??
Title: Re: tow bars and mot's
Post by: lee4206 on 09 February 2011, 22:15:08
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Just wondering (as MOT's are in the topic) whether there is anything to the Chipped ECU and MOT's...

Nothing that i've heard yet  but there is talk of putting airbags and engine management in so if we're checking for management problems ecu's and chips would be an easy check
Title: Re: tow bars and mot's
Post by: lee4206 on 09 February 2011, 22:22:07
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Thanks for that ... shame the great british public have not been informed as well ... :(

Vosa never seem to let the public know - it just happens and us testers are left to take the flack.
Title: Re: tow bars and mot's
Post by: Entwood on 09 February 2011, 22:24:35
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Thanks for that ... shame the great british public have not been informed as well ... :(

Vosa never seem to let the public know - it just happens and us testers are left to take the flack.


Thanks .. while you were posting that I was editing mine with some late thoughts .. your views would be appreciated :)
Title: Re: tow bars and mot's
Post by: Lazydocker on 09 February 2011, 22:30:13
Of course, the easy answer is to put a cover over the sockets... MOT testers are (currently) not allowed to remove anything for the test ;) ;)
Title: Re: tow bars and mot's
Post by: lee4206 on 09 February 2011, 22:34:39
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Thanks for that ... shame the great british public have not been informed as well ... :(

Vosa never seem to let the public know - it just happens and us testers are left to take the flack.


Thanks .. while you were posting that I was editing mine with some late thoughts .. your views would be appreciated :)

At the moment you now know as much as me we got that notice 2 weeks ago and we probably wont hear any more about it until September(that's when most changes seem to happen) so I'm afraid I cant help you much more
Title: Re: tow bars and mot's
Post by: lee4206 on 09 February 2011, 22:39:26
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Of course, the easy answer is to put a cover over the sockets... MOT testers are (currently) not allowed to remove anything for the test ;) ;)

But it could be made a requirement to be able to gain access like it is for petrol caps ect  if we cant check it we refuse to test the car.
Title: Re: tow bars and mot's
Post by: Lazydocker on 09 February 2011, 22:43:13
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Of course, the easy answer is to put a cover over the sockets... MOT testers are (currently) not allowed to remove anything for the test ;) ;)

But it could be made a requirement to be able to gain access like it is for petrol caps ect  if we cant check it we refuse to test the car.

And I hope it does... Too many people driving around with faulty trailer lights :y

I always thought it was a stupid rule anyway, especially as we had a customer when I was testing who always delivered the car with the rear seats folded... The seatbelt buckles were knackered >:(
Title: Re: tow bars and mot's
Post by: Andy B on 09 February 2011, 22:53:14
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.... as we had a customer when I was testing who always delivered the car with the rear seats folded... The seatbelt buckles were knackered >:(

So that means you're not allowed to lift the seat test the seat belts?  :-? :-? :-?
Stupid rule. :-?
Title: Re: tow bars and mot's
Post by: Vamps on 09 February 2011, 22:57:25
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.... as we had a customer when I was testing who always delivered the car with the rear seats folded... The seatbelt buckles were knackered >:(

So that means you're not allowed to lift the seat test the seat belts?  :-? :-? :-?
Stupid rule. :-?

I agree, they may be folded down but they are available for use, almost instantly, and surly seatbelts is one of the more 'sensible' things to test..... :-/
Title: Re: tow bars and mot's
Post by: Lazydocker on 09 February 2011, 22:58:20
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.... as we had a customer when I was testing who always delivered the car with the rear seats folded... The seatbelt buckles were knackered >:(

So that means you're not allowed to lift the seat test the seat belts?  :-? :-? :-?
Stupid rule. :-?

Yep... Just note that the vehicle was presented with the seats folded flat >:( >:(

Thankfully I knew the guy and I also knew it was actually used as a van and never for carrying passengers, otherwise it would have been a real moral issue for me
Title: Re: tow bars and mot's
Post by: Vamps on 09 February 2011, 22:59:25
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Just wondering (as MOT's are in the topic) whether there is anything to the Chipped ECU and MOT's...

Nothing that i've heard yet  but there is talk of putting airbags and engine management in so if we're checking for management problems ecu's and chips would be an easy check
[/highlight]

Time to return to old skool motoring I think... :(
Title: Re: tow bars and mot's
Post by: Lazydocker on 09 February 2011, 23:01:26
But then the Annual MOT is a waste of time anyway... Too many people use it as the only time the car gets checked >:(
Title: Re: tow bars and mot's
Post by: Andy B on 09 February 2011, 23:03:06
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.... Too many people use it as the only time the car gets checked >:(

Agreed, but better than no check at all.  :-/
Title: Re: tow bars and mot's
Post by: lee4206 on 09 February 2011, 23:04:50
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Quote
.... as we had a customer when I was testing who always delivered the car with the rear seats folded... The seatbelt buckles were knackered >:(

So that means you're not allowed to lift the seat test the seat belts?  :-? :-? :-?
Stupid rule.
:-?


Your aloud to lift seats now as long as no tools are needed we also check the rear seats on mpvs like the zafira.
Title: Re: tow bars and mot's
Post by: ballcock50 on 09 February 2011, 23:06:49
Does the socket legally need to be wired specifically to conform to a standard? I deliberately used to wire my caravan differently so if some one stole it the lighting system would not work correctly then had an adaptor if I borrowed a trailer. Would this now be illegal even if your own trailer lights performed correctly? :-/
Title: Re: tow bars and mot's
Post by: Vamps on 09 February 2011, 23:08:58
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.... Too many people use it as the only time the car gets checked >:(

Agreed, but better than no check at all.  :-/

What is with the angry faces.... ::) ::) ::)

My reference was to the electronic checks, old skool cars do not have this problem, I was not referring to dodgy MOT testers, which still abound.... :-X Not mine though, he is my ex brother in law, so no favours.... ::) ::) ::) and he was the person that bought my Mitsubishi..... :'( :'( :'( :'(
Title: Re: tow bars and mot's
Post by: Lazydocker on 09 February 2011, 23:10:10
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Quote
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.... as we had a customer when I was testing who always delivered the car with the rear seats folded... The seatbelt buckles were knackered >:(

So that means you're not allowed to lift the seat test the seat belts?  :-? :-? :-?
Stupid rule.
:-?


Your aloud to lift seats now as long as no tools are needed we also check the rear seats on mpvs like the zafira.

That's a relief :y :y

I've not been testing for about 8/9 years now so I'm sure plenty has changed ::) ::)
Title: Re: tow bars and mot's
Post by: Lazydocker on 09 February 2011, 23:14:37
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.... Too many people use it as the only time the car gets checked >:(

Agreed, but better than no check at all.  :-/

What is with the angry faces.... ::) ::) ::)

My reference was to the electronic checks, old skool cars do not have this problem, I was not referring to dodgy MOT testers, which still abound.... :-X Not mine though, he is my ex brother in law, so no favours.... ::) ::) ::) and he was the person that bought my Mitsubishi..... :'( :'( :'( :'(

Angry face ... No comment :-X ::)

Agree Andy, better than no checks :y

Vamps, there will, unfortunately, always be the demand for dodgy MOT's and therefore someone who's willing to try and make a quick buck by providing them... Although with the new computerised system at least it's not a person sat in the pub writing them out :y :y

I have a very good MOT tester... He knows he won't get work off me and is willing to be sensible about some things (with no reference to smelly things supplied by Kosovans :-X :-X :-X)
Title: Re: tow bars and mot's
Post by: Vamps on 09 February 2011, 23:25:03
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.... Too many people use it as the only time the car gets checked >:(

Agreed, but better than no check at all.  :-/

What is with the angry faces.... ::) ::) ::)

My reference was to the electronic checks, old skool cars do not have this problem, I was not referring to dodgy MOT testers, which still abound.... :-X Not mine though, he is my ex brother in law, so no favours.... ::) ::) ::) and he was the person that bought my Mitsubishi..... :'( :'( :'( :'(

Angry face ... No comment :-X ::)

Agree Andy, better than no checks :y

Vamps, there will, unfortunately, always be the demand for dodgy MOT's and therefore someone who's willing to try and make a quick buck by providing them... Although with the new computerised system at least it's not a person sat in the pub writing them out :y :y

I have a very good MOT tester... He knows he won't get work off me and is willing to be sensible about some things (with no reference to smelly things supplied by Kosovans :-X :-X :-X)

LD how very very dare you. Please admins, I had nothing to do with this..... :P :P :P
Title: Re: tow bars and mot's
Post by: Lazydocker on 09 February 2011, 23:27:20
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Quote
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.... Too many people use it as the only time the car gets checked >:(

Agreed, but better than no check at all.  :-/

What is with the angry faces.... ::) ::) ::)

My reference was to the electronic checks, old skool cars do not have this problem, I was not referring to dodgy MOT testers, which still abound.... :-X Not mine though, he is my ex brother in law, so no favours.... ::) ::) ::) and he was the person that bought my Mitsubishi..... :'( :'( :'( :'(

Angry face ... No comment :-X ::)

Agree Andy, better than no checks :y

Vamps, there will, unfortunately, always be the demand for dodgy MOT's and therefore someone who's willing to try and make a quick buck by providing them... Although with the new computerised system at least it's not a person sat in the pub writing them out :y :y

I have a very good MOT tester... He knows he won't get work off me and is willing to be sensible about some things (with no reference to smelly things supplied by Kosovans :-X :-X :-X)

LD how very very dare you. Please admins, I had nothing to do with this..... :P :P :P

Well... I figure that after my last post count cull I'm in credit :-X ::)
Title: Re: tow bars and mot's
Post by: neilr on 11 February 2011, 16:16:11
just as a side to this as driving to work today saw 3 different utility co vehicles towing trailers none had working trailer lights. Why surely these are the people to be targeted.
Title: Re: tow bars and mot's
Post by: Entwood on 11 February 2011, 16:19:58
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just as a side to this as driving to work today saw 3 different utility co vehicles towing trailers none had working trailer lights. Why surely these are the people to be targeted.

Would these vehicles be "kept" long enough to actually be MOTable ???

Law exists to have them now .. but we just don't have enough Police out doing spot checks ... just think how many trailers they could nick, or chavs with foglights on ..... 
Title: Re: tow bars and mot's
Post by: henryd on 11 February 2011, 16:38:10
also why test the car wiring when there is no test for the caravan,trailer,boat attached to it :-X
Title: Re: tow bars and mot's
Post by: neilr on 11 February 2011, 16:44:01
vosa apparently have the power to conduct roadside checks whatever age of vehicle and commercial vehicle i believe dont have the 3 yr rule