..is NOT a girl!
Posted 15 November 2013 - 10:46 AM
Bottom line, if you remove the srs indication and the airbag then they are not testable.
On The Road
Posted 15 November 2013 - 01:11 PM
Read the last couple of months of practical classics. They have been doing some in depth research on exactly this problem. The outcome was that all the major manufacturers (who responded) considered the SRS parts to be safe to last the 'lifetime' of the car, even when that contradicts an expiry date on said parts. They also considered the problem of using parts from scrappers and found no problem as long as the parts weren't from crashed cars. Perhaps time to buy a few spares from some rusty cars?
That's useful. I think you are right - reading the Gov't and VOSA guidelines on this one - I understand if it is a standard fitment at manufacture then it has to be there and working. No exceptions. Maybe time to stock up on spares, as you say.
Bottom line, if you remove the srs indication and the airbag then they are not testable.
Interesting, I don't think airbags are mandatory, the implication of that would be that they are. I could understand the SRS rule as assurance against malfunction, but removing the airbag would achieve that - better as it would be absolute assurance that an aged airbag wouldn't disintergrate in your face, even if activated correctly.
Hmmm.....wish that were the case but I believe that when an SRS system is fitted as standard, as manufacturers specification, it must in place and working.(End of...) However, I feel it may vary between testing stations as a tester looks at it and says " Mini - no airbag then". Not all MOT testers are Mastermind specialists on "The Mini 1959 -2001" I guess we'll see, given time
..is NOT a girl!
Posted 15 November 2013 - 03:49 PM
It might be worth asking VOSA for clarification, there's a wider legal implication over applying law retrospectively & a liability issue if anyone was injured by an airbag, out of its service life, that you weren't allowed to remove*. It's verging towards the point where cars will have an enforced lifespan.
*Ironic inconsistency that you're not allowed to fit airbags to vehicles requiring an IVA test? - correctly in my opinion.
Crazy About Mini's
Posted 15 November 2013 - 03:55 PM
Or just take the bulb out for the srs light, like a few people do on older cars.
Or bypass the old now not needed wiring for the airbag with a 5 amp fuse in place of the airbag, so the light works as normal even though it's not there.
On The Road
Posted 15 November 2013 - 05:14 PM
It might be worth asking VOSA for clarification, there's a wider legal implication over applying law retrospectively & a liability issue if anyone was injured by an airbag, out of its service life, that you weren't allowed to remove*. It's verging towards the point where cars will have an enforced lifespan.
*Ironic inconsistency that you're not allowed to fit airbags to vehicles requiring an IVA test? - correctly in my opinion.
I will E mail VOSA.....Curiosity killed the cat - but satisfaction brought it back. I may draw the line at an action at the European Court of Human Rights though....
Stage One Kit Fitted
Posted 15 November 2013 - 10:54 PM
..is NOT a girl!
Posted 16 November 2013 - 01:05 AM
I dare say manufacturers have a lot of parts commonality, but short of test firing the thing VOSA couldn't tell if it'll create an instant cushion for your face to land in, or smack your head into thr B pillar with a mule like kick.
On The Road
Posted 16 November 2013 - 09:27 AM
My only serious crash was in 1998 in my 1997 MY Cooper with airbag and it probably prevented more serious injury. The pretensioned seat belt broke my collar bone but at least I didn't go through the windscreen!
Surely airbag systems are fairly standard for parts etc.... Would a car which has a factory fitted airbag removed not fail an MOT anyway?
My replacement airbag system is still working fine...... Touch wood!
Glad you came through the crash intact. I'm sure you are right - if the factory fitted airbag is removed then it will fail. As far as commonality is concerned - I suspect the MGF (or TF) Rover 25/45 may have the same bits. Other than that I'm really not sure.
Up Into Fourth
Posted 16 November 2013 - 04:52 PM
Everyone on this thread is incorrect, truth is the Srs light can only be failed if the light is on. If it doesn't work at all then it's an advisory.
Or just take the bulb out for the srs light, like a few people do on older cars.
You are living in the past. Before April this year, removal of the bulb would only get an advisory. NOW it is a failure as the LAMP is inoperative. If you have removed the bulb and passed, you were lucky.
Likes Rovers, loves Jeremy Kyle
Posted 16 November 2013 - 05:06 PM
Everyone on this thread is incorrect, truth is the Srs light can only be failed if the light is on. If it doesn't work at all then it's an advisory.
Or just take the bulb out for the srs light, like a few people do on older cars.
You are living in the past. Before April this year, removal of the bulb would only get an advisory. NOW it is a failure as the LAMP is inoperative. If you have removed the bulb and passed, you were lucky.
Up Into Fourth
Posted 16 November 2013 - 05:52 PM
Crikey mr samsfern, an apology from me is due!
I was wrong, sorry.
Ryan.
Mini Mad
Posted 16 November 2013 - 09:18 PM
..is NOT a girl!
Posted 16 November 2013 - 10:06 PM
Lots of sense being spoken in this topic. Of course the best option is working SRS if it's fitted, and gear that's rigged to get through the test could be worse than none at all. The problem will be in the future, when parts availability & expense make maintaining your MPI's SRS too challenging. Only, to keep them on the road you may have to fight, and win, the battle now, before a precedent is set.
Up Into Fourth
Posted 16 November 2013 - 11:24 PM
mines due for an mot soon, I've removed the steering wheel and air bag, replaced with a mota lita, I've removed the bulb from the srs light. i'll let you know how I get on
On The Road
Posted 17 November 2013 - 09:48 AM
Lots of sense being spoken in this topic. Of course the best option is working SRS if it's fitted, and gear that's rigged to get through the test could be worse than none at all. The problem will be in the future, when parts availability & expense make maintaining your MPI's SRS too challenging. Only, to keep them on the road you may have to fight, and win, the battle now, before a precedent is set.
Absolutely right. As you are TMF staff - I wonder if it's worth putting this thread up as a "sticky" to keep this vital issue updated and perhaps inform members as to where replacement parts may be sourced on an on-going basis?
mines due for an mot soon, I've removed the steering wheel and air bag, replaced with a mota lita, I've removed the bulb from the srs light. i'll let you know how I get on
Good luck with the MOT. Look forward to being updated with the (hopefully) positive outcome.
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