60 replies to this topic

[Tamworthbay]

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

The issue will come from VOSA. I bit like happened with catalysts. The MOT mans computer will tell him what to check and to what standard based on the registration. At the moment I think you will be ok. The issue comes if some official decides that the SRS system needs to be part of the MOT as fitted originally. At that point you may have passed the MOT for years only to find you suddenly fail.

So the big question is whether they are likely to do that? Who knows?

[Ethel]

That's where the retrospectivity bit comes in - if you were able to lawfully remove the bag in past you can't be "punished" for not having them now.

[lsto]

Could you not just get an ABS/SRS specialist to plug in and rectify the fault? The amount of bits about for mini's, I'm sure someone still makes all the airbag components. The repair bill is a drop in the ocean compared to the maintenance costs of keeping a classic motor on the road.

 

The cost of a repair is negligible compared to the cost of your life.

[SportspackWeb]

Could you not just get an ABS/SRS specialist to plug in and rectify the fault? The amount of bits about for mini's, I'm sure someone still makes all the airbag components. The repair bill is a drop in the ocean compared to the maintenance costs of keeping a classic motor on the road.

 

The cost of a repair is negligible compared to the cost of your life.

What we could do with is a list of interchangeable compatible airbag/SRS parts. For example they made the "re-issued" MGTF until recently, assembled at Longbridge - will these parts fit?  What about the new MG3 - which seems to have a similar size bag? I know they have to make components for 10 years after the demise of a particular marque. Rover 25's were made until 2005? If some one "in the know" and in the trade could have some input maybe the problem can be easily solved.

[ejs-1995]

Could you not just get an ABS/SRS specialist to plug in and rectify the fault? The amount of bits about for mini's, I'm sure someone still makes all the airbag components. The repair bill is a drop in the ocean compared to the maintenance costs of keeping a classic motor on the road.
 
The cost of a repair is negligible compared to the cost of your life.

Isto is absolutely bang on!

[SportspackWeb]

 

Could you not just get an ABS/SRS specialist to plug in and rectify the fault? The amount of bits about for mini's, I'm sure someone still makes all the airbag components. The repair bill is a drop in the ocean compared to the maintenance costs of keeping a classic motor on the road.
 
The cost of a repair is negligible compared to the cost of your life.

Isto is absolutely bang on!

 

A bit of a circle game, this one. Yes, of course Isto is right. The point is, there will be not be the parts to put the system right shortly. After doing some research and speaking to someone I know at a major Mini restoration firm last night, it seems the SRS seat belt components have been out of stock for a long while, Airbags are like hens teeth as are other vital bits. Indeed, one of those bits is the rotary coupling which can also put your horn out of action. Whilst not wishing to be a prophet of doom, now might be a good time to find a way round this conundrum. For example, lobbying VOSA for the real facts on(say) non airbag wheels fitted prior to the legislation (is retrospective legislation legal?) and getting information from parts suppliers on the compatibility of different parts between models. Finally, if someone is aware of firms that are still making these bits - please let us know who they might be.

[L400RAS]

 Airbags are like hens teeth as are other vital bits. Indeed, one of those bits is the rotary coupling which can also put your horn out of action.

 

To anyone wanting a rotary coupler, they are the same as the MGF / MGTF, just note your original part number.

[SportspackWeb]

 

 Airbags are like hens teeth as are other vital bits. Indeed, one of those bits is the rotary coupling which can also put your horn out of action.

 

To anyone wanting a rotary coupler, they are the same as the MGF / MGTF, just note your original part number.

 

This is really useful and practical info. Any chance of the Forum Administrators creating a new thread and pinning it to the top of this forum? Something along the lines of :- "Information on compatibility of SRS/Airbag parts with other marques and experiences of the SRS/Airbags at M.O.T? Just a thought............

[Fast Ivan]

So had the mot today - passed with no advisories, no mention of the missing airbag or the srs light....

[SportspackWeb]

Great news. Onwards and upwards!

[SportspackWeb]

The final word on this?? Sent a comprehensive E mail to VOSA and this was referred to their technical section. Their reply was pretty straightforward - Classic Mini airbags are like any other car in respect of the MOT test. Light must perform it's cycle correctly and if the bag was fitted at manufacture then it must be present. Any deviation from this and it should fail. However - the reply did contain an interesting line(and I quote):- "However, the MOT tester can only fail for a missing airbag if they are certain one was fitted as original equipment". That's all folks!

[samsfern]

Ha, another grey area in the mot world then, lol.

[Ethel]

That's a typical Vosa reply 

 

Set out the most draconian interpretation & finish with "However..."

 

ACE can be, err, ace with these issues :http://www.the-ace.o...-is-a-modified/ - if that is the situation, there should be that reference in the tester's manual to help you.

[Guess-Works.com]

I don't think there's any grey area....

 

If it's not there you can't test it, if it's meant to be there and it isnt. it's a fail.

[Ethel]

But what does meant mean? It was required by law, or fitted by the factory?