Head restraints part of MOT?

[maz]

Our van (Bürstner Ixeo 680G) has a seat-belted double seat backing onto the kitchen area. This seat has a large removable head restraint which when removed allows a useful worktop shelf to be locked in place. The van is only a two berth and we will not be using this seat for passengers. As fulltimers we do not want to be carrying this head restraint around with us unnecessarily. So my question is: Does the MOT require that head restraints are fitted to all belted seats? Anyone know, please?

 

[ianthebuilder]

Our van (Bürstner Ixeo 680G) has a seat-belted double seat backing onto the kitchen area. This seat has a large removable head restraint which when removed allows a useful worktop shelf to be locked in place. The van is only a two berth and we will not be using this seat for passengers. As fulltimers we do not want to be carrying this head restraint around with us unnecessarily. So my question is: Does the MOT require that head restraints are fitted to all belted seats? Anyone know, please?

With my old motor maz, all my headrests were off, so I could get my tools in,, only thing they were interested in was seat belts!

 

[138go]

You could just call into an MOT station and ask. That way you will know for definite. You could also ask about removing belts etc.

 

[peterc10]

Hi Maz. The seat belts in our Hymer can be detached at the top and rolled into the mechanism at the bottom. They can then be hidden behind the cushions altogether with nothing on view. If you can do that I suspect the examiner will not even know you have seat belts, so will not worry about whether there is or is not a headrest for them.

 

[maz]

You could just call into an MOT station and ask. That way you will know for definite. You could also ask about removing belts etc.

I could - as long as it’s not one of those ‘open to interpretation’ points.

I don’t want to remove the seatbelts as they might be needed by a future owner.

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[maz]

Hi Maz. The seat belts in our Hymer can be detached at the top and rolled into the mechanism at the bottom. They can then be hidden behind the cushions altogether with nothing on view. If you can do that I suspect the examiner will not even know you have seat belts, so will not worry about whether there is or is not a headrest for them.

Hi Peter. Thanks for that idea. In our Hobby we could hide the seatbelts completely but this Bürstner has a cutout in the backrest cushion with a corresponding cutout in the cabinet behind - so it would be a bit of a giveaway that something used to be there.

 

[peterc10]

Hi Peter. Thanks for that idea. In our Hobby we could hide the seatbelts completely but this Bürstner has a cutout in the backrest cushion with a corresponding cutout in the cabinet behind - so it would be a bit of a giveaway that something used to be there.

I really don't think that they would look that hard.

 

[Northernraider]

I've yet to witness an mot tester ever checking the rear seat belts on any of my motorhomes. In fact they've never set foot inside the vehicle lol ...my mot station does it while you wait and gets the driver to put lights wipers horn etc on.

But I doubt the headrest will matter most won't even know it exsists.

 

[maz]

I really don't think that they would look that hard.

Interestingly, in our Hobby the rear seatbelts were always kept hidden - just because we didn’t use them and didn’t want them on show. However when I collected the van after each MOT, they were always back in full view and secured across the seat! I guess it depends on how diligent the garage is that does the MOT.

 

[CazPaul]

I've yet to witness an mot tester ever checking the rear seat belts on any of my motorhomes. In fact they've never set foot inside the vehicle lol ...my mot station does it while you wait and gets the driver to put lights wipers horn etc on.

But I doubt the headrest will matter most won't even know it exsists.

What about the emissions test Tam, they have to floor the accelerator, do you do that as well from inside?

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[Badknee]

Hi Peter. Thanks for that idea. In our Hobby we could hide the seatbelts completely but this Bürstner has a cutout in the backrest cushion with a corresponding cutout in the cabinet behind - so it would be a bit of a giveaway that something used to be there.

Not quite the same but the same rule must apply. If you take out your spare wheel it can’t be tested. If you unbolt your seatbelts they too can’t be tested.

 

[Badknee]

Interestingly, in our Hobby the rear seatbelts were always kept hidden - just because we didn’t use them and didn’t want them on show. However when I collected the van after each MOT, they were always back in full view and secured across the seat! I guess it depends on how diligent the garage is that does the MOT.

Ours have never been tested on our Hobby.

 

[Gromett]

@Geo is the guy to ask...

 

[Northernraider]

Interestingly, in our Hobby the rear seatbelts were always kept hidden - just because we didn’t use them and didn’t want them on show. However when I collected the van after each MOT, they were always back in full view and secured across the seat! I guess it depends on how diligent the garage is that does the MOT.

Or whether you leave it with them or wait for it.
I think our garages make use of the free labour instead of having an apprentice in the motor.

 

[Northernraider]

What about the emissions test Tam, they have to floor the accelerator, do you do that as well from inside?

He has me do everything in it Paul
Even applying the brakes on the brake tester

Used to have to rock the steering etc but he has a machine that does that now

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[Northernraider]

Ours have never been tested on our Hobby.

Don't think the ones on this Frankia have ever been used.

Although I have tested them myself so I know they work ok

 

[pappajohn]

Seats are checked for security only, no point having a seat if it ain't securely fixed down.
Belts are checked for security and function.

You could strip all the padding off a seat and fix sheets of plywood to the frame. It's still a seat and will still pass.

But the question was regarding headrests, not belts.
A head restraint is removable, therefore not a permanent part of the seat.

 

[Reallyretired]

I assume my rear seat belts are tested as the belts are normally hidden. The dogs harnesses just fit in the bit with the red button on (probably has a technical name) but after an MOT the belts are always out on show.

 

[DBK]

If it's a rearwards facing seat then a headrest is essential. But whether the MOT checks I don't know.

 

[maz]

If it's a rearwards facing seat then a headrest is essential. But whether the MOT checks I don't know.

No, it’s a front facing seat. There will never be a passenger in it while we have the van so it’s not a safety issue as such.

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[pappajohn]

Head restraints aren't a legal requirement therefore can't be a legal requirement for the MOT.

 

[bobandjanie]

Interestingly, in our Hobby the rear seatbelts were always kept hidden - just because we didn’t use them and didn’t want them on show. However when I collected the van after each MOT, they were always back in full view and secured across the seat! I guess it depends on how diligent the garage is that does the MOT.

We did the same, when we collect after MOT the seat belts are in place. Bob.

 

[bobandjanie]

Double post having internet trouble.

 

[Lenny HB]

Our current van came with two sets the full blow head restraint and a much smaller low profile one that's more of a trim on top of the seats. The first van we had when I took it for a MOT the belts were tucked away behind the seats I'm sure they were never checked.