2 replies to this topic

[hazell270]

My mini is a 1979 mini city.

I'm checking everything over for the MOT, one thing ive noticed is that when I sharply pull each seatbelt, they do not lock like modern cars do. Is this a fail or is it ok because of the age of the vehicle.

Both seatbelts do not lock, they clip and stay pluged in, just don't lock when a force is applied.

Thanks

[tommy13]

Pulling them sharply is not part of the test although many testers still think it is, the fact is it never was, and until a recent refresher course I was one of them.
Some seat belts latch when they reel out at a certain speed, others have some sort of inertia machanism which only locks in when the car decelerates rapidly. Older minis certainly had the latter type. These can be checked by thumping the back of the reel at the same time as you pull the webbing out, but definitely not part of the test.

[MiniMonty]

Either way - I'd certainly think about getting them fixed or replaced - not much use wearing a seat belt
that doesn't lock when it needs to !

Best wishes
Monty