8 replies to this topic

[jeffro]

mini mayfair 1987

ive been looking around various forums and posts, but cant get an exact answer.

i want to get a pair cobra classics without headrest. (£100) cheaper

ive checked m.o.t. sites and all i see is that a seat must be secure and must lock down to floor and lock in upright position.

but i know the law and m.o.t do not always agree. ie wheels stick out bit on m.o.t (passes) , but the law dont like it.

so can i replace my current seats that have headrest , with seats without. they will be locked down and locked in upright position, for m.o.t

maybe we have an m.o.t. person on here or a traffic cop, correct advice needed really, as there are lots of posts out there, with one post saying its ok, next one saying no and so on.

thank you

[bunch1980]

On my 93' Sprite I have the low back cobra buckets no head rests and my mate put these in before i had car off him and it came with normal recliners and head rest. Its passed MOT etc so should be ok id imagine.

They are great but i do worry what will happen to my head in a crash as its got nothing to go back into.
but also think the side of the bucket seats must protect very well and hold you in well in a crash.

Next time I would like some full height cobra monacos or similar!

[jeffro]

mini headrest only come up to my shoulders, think will would proberly break my neck on them if i got hit from behind.

dont think there much use for people over 3ft.

you got any pictures?

Edited by jeffro, 05 May 2011 - 01:44 PM.

[bunch1980]

mini headrest only come up to my shoulders, think will would proberly break my neck on them if i got hit from behind.

dont think there much use for people over 3ft.

you got any pictures?

I see lol must be tal then or seats are small! I never tried the standard seats. Im about 5'10" or so.

Not of seats really showing them all sure there be someone else with pics along soon. It is the thing most people especially girsl seem to comment on oooh like your seats lol! Then I have also had a rather large girl try and fit in them its not easy!! lol

[Wil_h]

There is no requirement for headrests in the MOT.

Personally though I'd always have them.

[jeffro]

ok. so there not needed for m.o.t now when it comes to the law? yes or no after a certain year

[sonikk4]

Even with modern cars its not a requirement to have the head rests fitted as they are all removable however from a personal safety point of view they are there to help prevent head/neck damage in the event of a crash.

[charie t]

Even with modern cars its not a requirement to have the head rests fitted as they are all removable however from a personal safety point of view they are there to help prevent head/neck damage in the event of a crash.

As sonikk says, its not a legal requirement.

[AVV IT]

As above, there is no legal requirement to have head restraints fitted, although as they are designed to protect hyper-extension of the neck, by removing them you are putting yourself and your passengers at significantly increased risk of whip lash and spinal injury in the event of an accident. In those circumstances you could also find that any personal injury insurance claim is reduced, as it could be deemed that by removing the headrestraints you contributed to the extent of the injury.

mini headrest only come up to my shoulders, think will would proberly break my neck on them if i got hit from behind.

dont think there much use for people over 3ft.

Head restraint position needs to be adjusted to suit the individual driver, if you have standard mini seats then you probably just need to adjust the headrest to closer to its maximum height in order for it to be more effective. Mini headrests are often kept at their lowest position to allow for the front seats to be tipped/tilted forward, or just for "looks", however as you say they actually have very little practical use at that height unless you are on the rather short side!!

The reality is that very few people actually have their headrest positioned correctly in any car though. The most recent UK study in 2004 reveled that less than 6% of drivers actually knew how to adjust their headrest correctly. To ensure that a headrest is effective you should really check the positioning and adjust if necessary, every time that somebody different drives the car, or if you otherwise need to adjust the position of your seat or mirrors at any point.

Correct Head Restraint Positioning Link - Click Here