22 replies to this topic

[TheOriginalMiniator]

Just found out, in Northern Ireland, if rear seats are present the front seats MUST either fold forward or the entire seat tilt forward to allow rear access for passengers.

Edited by TheOriginalMiniator, 10 February 2012 - 10:43 AM.

[racingenglishcars]

A fixed back seat is not designed to be readily opened.

But the original seat was designed to "open".

[Cooperman]

If your seats don't hinge forward, or are bolted solidly in place with no fore and aft seat adjustment, then just remove the rear seats for the test. Simples!

[1984mini25]

He suggested that this would fail the MOT as I carry passengers in the back and doesn't allow them enough space to exit in an accident.

If you were in the back in a situation were you had to get out asap, my first choice would be one of the rear windows.

But whether a mini has standard or buckets seats, getting in and out of the back seats in a hurry is never easy anyways.

[Bungle]

i think i would be out between the seats rather than battering the window for 5 minutes hoping it will break

[dave1293gt]

Just a point that maybe worth noting. If you remove the back seats the car in effect becomes fit for 2 persons not 4 as intended at point of manufacture.
If you ADD seats the vehicle must be passed by vosa, would this also be the same as removing seats. So the type approval or identity as on the V5 isn't compromised.
My '78 mini V5 doesn't say the car can carry XX number, but i know our newer mazda does.

Before anyone starts having a go, this is just something that maybe worth looking into. Vosa and he dvla are clamping down as we all know. It would be seriously annoying for someone to get there car impounded for checks due to a mot tester in a bad mood.

Edited by dave1293gt, 10 February 2012 - 06:12 PM.

[tommy13]

A proper examination cannot be carried out because any door, tailgate, boot, engine cover, fuel cap or other device designed to be readily opened cannot be readily opened.

That does not apply to seats.

From the Seat Belt part of the manual

Every effort should be made to lift folded seats to facilitate the inspection of seat belts provided this does not require the use of tools or specialist equipment. However, this is not mandatory where it would be unreasonable, such as due to the presence of heavy, fragile or numerous passenger effects or other articles.

You will most likely get an advisory to say that the rear belts, if fitted, could not be tested. Last year I had a Baby Seat in the rear of a car and they could not see or check the belt. As it would have meant them removing the baby seat to gain access it was put as an advisory that t was not tested on the pass certificate.

Every effort should be made to lift folded seats refers to seats which fold away into the floor and usually found in the rear of people carriers.
If rear seat belts are fitted they must be tested.
Child seats.
Where child seats are fitted, testers are advised not to touch them because if they were refitted incorrectly resulting in injury to the occupant, the law suit would be unthinkable. All other seat belts are tested to the requirements specified for that vehicle.
In your case the tester would advise that the rear belt retaining the child seat was not tested to cover himself in case the child seat were removed later and the belt turned out to be defective. There are no circumstances where the seat belts for non fold away seats can be ignored or advised as not tested , other than those retaining a child seat. This is why the tester can refuse to test the vehicle if he cannot gain reasonable access to test the rear belts and seats in a Mini, as may be the OP's case.
I'm sorry if my reply seems a little harsh, I don't mean it to be. The testers manual is heavy reading and it's easy to take things out of context unless you know the entire content, it's not easy and some is open to different interpretation , especially with all the recent changes. I felt a few of the points you raised needed explaining/ clarifying.

[surfblue63]

A proper examination cannot be carried out because any door, tailgate, boot, engine cover, fuel cap or other device designed to be readily opened cannot be readily opened.

That does not apply to seats.

From the Seat Belt part of the manual

Every effort should be made to lift folded seats to facilitate the inspection of seat belts provided this does not require the use of tools or specialist equipment. However, this is not mandatory where it would be unreasonable, such as due to the presence of heavy, fragile or numerous passenger effects or other articles.

You will most likely get an advisory to say that the rear belts, if fitted, could not be tested. Last year I had a Baby Seat in the rear of a car and they could not see or check the belt. As it would have meant them removing the baby seat to gain access it was put as an advisory that t was not tested on the pass certificate.

Every effort should be made to lift folded seats refers to seats which fold away into the floor and usually found in the rear of people carriers.
If rear seat belts are fitted they must be tested.
Child seats.
Where child seats are fitted, testers are advised not to touch them because if they were refitted incorrectly resulting in injury to the occupant, the law suit would be unthinkable. All other seat belts are tested to the requirements specified for that vehicle.
In your case the tester would advise that the rear belt retaining the child seat was not tested to cover himself in case the child seat were removed later and the belt turned out to be defective. There are no circumstances where the seat belts for non fold away seats can be ignored or advised as not tested , other than those retaining a child seat. This is why the tester can refuse to test the vehicle if he cannot gain reasonable access to test the rear belts and seats in a Mini, as may be the OP's case.
I'm sorry if my reply seems a little harsh, I don't mean it to be. The testers manual is heavy reading and it's easy to take things out of context unless you know the entire content, it's not easy and some is open to different interpretation , especially with all the recent changes. I felt a few of the points you raised needed explaining/ clarifying.

We'll agree to disagree.

by the way I have read the whole manual and have not taken anything out of context. As you say a lot is open to interpretation, and as not being able to access the belts is not a reason to give a failure then you can not fail for this. Also a the seat does not open, it folds, thus the arguement that a seat does not fold has no bearing in this circumstance.
"A proper examination cannot be carried out because any door, tailgate, boot, engine cover, fuel cap or other device designed to be readily opened cannot be readily opened."