There was a post a week ago that I questioned the use of a harness instead of a normal seat belt and its MOT status. Having gone out of my way to get an E approved Scroth harness with a big red push button, I was puzzled by the fact that many rotary fittings seem to pass the MOT. So I asked VOSA. They told me I needed to ask the DFT, who then had someone from VOSA come back to me. A little odd but they did this in days and that was good. Here is what they said. I will add to the next PPost but wanted to share this here also. And I quote (wait for it):
[FONT=Courier New"]"When inspecting seat belts during an MOT a Nominated Tester (NT) will use the criteria as stated in Section 5 of the Car and Light commercial Vehicle Inspection Manual (IM) which can now be found on line at http://www.motinfo.gov.uk/htdocs/index.htm
An NT only tests using the criteria in this section and there is no specific check for type of buckle or fastening device. Only it's condition and operation.
Note 3 on Page 3 of this section states that a harness comprising a lap belt and shoulder straps bearing a British Standard mark is acceptable. Unfortunately no actual BS number is given though for Single Vehicle Approval BS 3254:1960 or BS3254 Part 1 1988 are stated. Though the IM doesn't state so, we would also accept a designated approval marking (E or e). We are reviewing the seatbelt section and expect to update this.
Essentially as long as the Harness has an approved marking and meets all the criteria in the IM it should pass the MOT.
Types of belts fitted and their and construction would depend on the legislation current at the time of a vehicle's construction. Alterations or modifications (such as fitting belts designed under legislation earlier then the vehicles date of manufacture) may affect the future legality of a vehicle."![[FONT=verdana,geneva"]](/forum/styles/default/pcgb/space.gif ". [FONT=verdana,geneva\"]")
So now you know.
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[FONT=Courier New"]"When inspecting seat belts during an MOT a Nominated Tester (NT) will use the criteria as stated in Section 5 of the Car and Light commercial Vehicle Inspection Manual (IM) which can now be found on line at http://www.motinfo.gov.uk/htdocs/index.htm
An NT only tests using the criteria in this section and there is no specific check for type of buckle or fastening device. Only it's condition and operation.
Note 3 on Page 3 of this section states that a harness comprising a lap belt and shoulder straps bearing a British Standard mark is acceptable. Unfortunately no actual BS number is given though for Single Vehicle Approval BS 3254:1960 or BS3254 Part 1 1988 are stated. Though the IM doesn't state so, we would also accept a designated approval marking (E or e). We are reviewing the seatbelt section and expect to update this.
Essentially as long as the Harness has an approved marking and meets all the criteria in the IM it should pass the MOT.
Types of belts fitted and their and construction would depend on the legislation current at the time of a vehicle's construction. Alterations or modifications (such as fitting belts designed under legislation earlier then the vehicles date of manufacture) may affect the future legality of a vehicle."
So now you know.
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