Van possible MOT fail?

Bluecube · 13 Oct 2016 at 14:05

I own a Transit van which originally came with just two seats in the cab - driver and passenger. I took out the single passenger seat and fitted a standard double seat. There is a seatbelt for the middle seat but there is no corresponding clip to fit the seatbelt into. Will this result in a MOT fail?

Akagi · 13 Oct 2016 at 14:07

Yep. All seats require a functioning seatbelt, unless the vehicle did not have seatbelts when new.

Easiest way to get it to pass would be to just remove the passenger seat entirely, then take it for the MOT.

tom_e · 13 Oct 2016 at 14:07

Edit: ignore me, didn't engage brain.

Bluecube · 13 Oct 2016 at 14:14

Acme said:
Yep. All seats require a functioning seatbelt, unless the vehicle did not have seatbelts when new.

Easiest way to get it to pass would be to just remove the passenger seat entirely, then take it for the MOT.

Now the seat is fitted, it's not as easy to remove it! Reckon I'll have to get a seatbelt clip for the seat.

Akagi · 13 Oct 2016 at 14:15

Probably the best idea. The hole for the seatbelt buckle anchor is probably there already if a twin passenger seat was an option. Though if not you may need to create one.

Or possibly you can just swap the single buckle for a twin buckle which goes on the same seatbelt anchor point.

On Holiday · 13 Oct 2016 at 14:16

Put something large on top of the seat and say "yes the seatbelt works" when prompted..

Akagi · 13 Oct 2016 at 14:18

Plenty O'Toole said:
Put something large on top of the seat and say "yes the seatbelt works" when prompted..

Thats a bit like putting a bit of tape over a christmas tree of warning lights on the dash and saying "Yep, airbags/ABS work fine guv"

tom_e · 13 Oct 2016 at 14:19

Acme said:
Thats a bit like putting a bit of tape over a christmas tree of warning lights on the dash and saying "Yep, airbags/ABS work fine guv"

What they can't see won't hurt you

Jez · 13 Oct 2016 at 14:21

If you have fitted an additional seat you are likely to perhaps use that additional seat, so you need to get the seatbelt situation sorted anyway?

Akagi · 13 Oct 2016 at 14:23

tom_e said:
What they can't see won't hurt you

I wish it worked like that, but the days of being able to take the lamp/LED out are gone.

If the car has airbags fitted, the airbag light has to illuminate with the ignition and then extinguish for the tick in the box. Same goes for the ABS etc.

Bluecube · 13 Oct 2016 at 14:27

Jez said:
If you have fitted an additional seat you are likely to perhaps use that additional seat, so you need to get the seatbelt situation sorted anyway?

It's not used. I only wanted the seat so I could put things on it instead of down on the floor!

Jez · 13 Oct 2016 at 14:28

If its there the temptation would certainly be to use it, if you had to give two people a lift. You can see why a seatbelt is required

sovietspybob · 13 Oct 2016 at 16:26

Yep it'll definitely fail, i once took my Subaru for an MOT and had forgot to put the seat belt clips back in when i'd fitted harnesses.

K.C. Leblanc · 14 Oct 2016 at 09:08

Plenty O'Toole said:
Put something large on top of the seat and say "yes the seatbelt works" when prompted..

It's beyond the realms of possibility you'll get away with that. I once sent a car for MOT with the back seats down and so much junk in the boot they couldn't fold the seats back up.

It just came back with an advisory that the rear seat belts couldn't be tested.