To all people with knowledge of MOT standards

[DaveKerry]

A raised manhole cover and a tree jumped out behind me when I was reversing and caused damage to my bike rack that is connected to a tow ball.
Rather than buying a new bike rack which grounds quite a lot, I'm thinking go building my own bike rack that fits to the chassis. I have the tools and knowhow but I don't know what an MOT tester looks for, and what he would consider as a MOT fail or advisory.
Has anyone got any info as to what is needed for such a bike rack.
I have seen some bike racks that extend out from the rear, I just wonder what are the MOT standards for such a thing.

Thanks for reading

Dave.

 

[chaser]

I would think if you make it removable and take it off when you go for an MOT it doesn't matter.

 

[DaveKerry]

Thanks
It would matter if it was unsafe other than on MOT day.

 

[Barriesimpson]

Well here in Spain it would need to be officially homologated by a competent engineer. So it's a no go from the start.

 

[pappajohn]

If you are UK based It would be the same as a towbar.
Security, condition, mounting points and lighting.

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[gus-lopez]

Well here in Spain it would need to be officially homologated by a competent engineer. So it's a no go from the start.

As Barrie has said ,if you are actually in spain with a spanish registered MH you've no chance .It has to be a homologated construction & additionally fitted by someone who is a 'professional'*

*that just means they have the right paperwork to supply the installation certificate ,not that they are actually any good

 

[PeterCarole29]

If you are UK based It would be the same as a towbar.
Security, condition, mounting points and lighting.

strictly speaking does that mean a fail if you have a towbar but not electrics mounted to it

 

[pappajohn]

strictly speaking does that mean a fail if you have a towbar but not electrics mounted to it

No, the towbar won't restrict view of the lights but it will be a permanently fitted rack and requires lights and reflectors the same as a towbar fitted rack when mounted on the towball.

 

[pappajohn]

.

 

[Garfields]

strictly speaking does that mean a fail if you have a towbar but not electrics mounted to it

Not the same but if you have a towbar fitted with the 15 pin type plug it is part of the test. Older 7 pin are not apparently.

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[chaser]

Thanks
It would matter if it was unsafe other than on MOT day.

Maybe so but you asked if it would matter in an MOT, which obviously if it isn't on ,on the mot day it doesn't.
It's the same as strapping anything down on a vehicle , you are not going to see if it will pass an MOT every time.

 

[DaveKerry]

Ok I maybe need to explain better.
What I want to do is make my own bike rack that will fit onto the rear of my motorhome, my question is would it pass an MOT.
I don't want to be stopped by DVSA or their European counterpart and be told it should be like this or like that or "what you've built is unsafe and needs to be removed before you can leave".

 

[Barriesimpson]

Ok I maybe need to explain better.
What I want to do is make my own bike rack that will fit onto the rear of my motorhome, my question is would it pass an MOT.
I don't want to be stopped by DVSA or their European counterpart and be told it should be like this or like that or "what you've built is unsafe and needs to be removed before you can leave".

The flag on your status is Spanish, so are you in Spain? If you are then the question has been answered - i.e. NO.

 

[two]

Why not ask an MOT station? They should know the correct answer. They will be making the decision.

 

[Daffy64]

It’s actually quite simple, google MOT testers manual and see for yourself, also google DVSA categorisation of defects.

The first is guidance for MOT testers and the second is guidance for roadside inspectors but the 2 documents ‘should’ support each other with the roadside one being more detailed carrying reasons for rejection, if it isn't in the list then you’re pretty much ok.

Assuming you’re in the UK that is?

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[DaveKerry]

I'm in Spain doing the Schengen shuffle with a UK registered vehicle.

Thanks everyone for the help.

 

[DaveKerry]

Why not ask an MOT station? They should know the correct answer. They will be making the decision.

Thanks I'll do that when I back in the UK.

 

[DaveKerry]

It’s actually quite simple, google MOT testers manual and see for yourself, also google DVSA categorisation of defects.

The first is guidance for MOT testers and the second is guidance for roadside inspectors but the 2 documents ‘should’ support each other with the roadside one being more detailed carrying reasons for rejection, if it isn't in the list then you’re pretty much ok.

Assuming you’re in the UK that is?

Thanks I'm going to look them up.
Google and YouTube can be one's best friends when doing something out of one's comfort zone.

 

[Carpmart]

If you’re building a demountable chassis attached bike rack, then if removed, it will not be subject to any MOT inspection as you’ll have removed before the test!

If not demountable and a vehicle newer than I think 2007/8 then you can’t make your own chassis mount, it needs to be proprietary and not home made!

It’s probably not legal if stopped and using a home made rack, but that was not your question, so i didn’t answer that part!

 

[DaveKerry]

If you’re building a demountable chassis attached bike rack, then if removed, it will not be subject to any MOT inspection as you’ll have removed before the test!

If not demountable and a vehicle newer than I think 2007/8 then you can’t make your own chassis mount, it needs to be proprietary and not home made!

It’s probably not legal if stopped and using a home made rack, but that was not your question, so i didn’t answer that part!

Yeah ok lol
That last line made me laugh.
I think I'll repair the lowball mounted carrier. The lowball needs a little heat to make it only slightly more vertical to enable the bike rack to be about 100mm higher, making it more likely to not ground.

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[Derbyshire wanderer]

A raised manhole cover and a tree jumped out behind me when I was reversing and caused damage to my bike rack that is connected to a tow ball.
Rather than buying a new bike rack which grounds quite a lot, I'm thinking go building my own bike rack that fits to the chassis. I have the tools and knowhow but I don't know what an MOT tester looks for, and what he would consider as a MOT fail or advisory.
Has anyone got any info as to what is needed for such a bike rack.
I have seen some bike racks that extend out from the rear, I just wonder what are the MOT standards for such a thing.

Thanks for reading

Dave.

If it is NOT a towbar then it isn’t a testable item but it must conform to the Construction and Use regulations regarding overhang percentage behind the rear axle (no more than 60% of the wheelbase), sharp edges and lighting if appropriate.
Once fitted it also is a modification and should be declared to your insurance company.

 

[DaveKerry]

If it is NOT a towbar then it isn’t a testable item but it must conform to the Construction and Use regulations regarding overhang percentage behind the rear axle (no more than 60% of the wheelbase), sharp edges and lighting if appropriate.
Once fitted it also is a modification and should be declared to your insurance company.

Thanks, I think I'll just fix the bike rack as it's on the towbar.
Dave

 

[Derbyshire wanderer]

Thanks, I think I'll just fix the bike rack as it's on the towbar.
Dave

Without the ball it is a bike rack

 

[Next Stop]

strictly speaking does that mean a fail if you have a towbar but not electrics mounted to it

We have a towbar which I fitted but haven't got around to sorting out the electrics yet. Mr MOT man asked if I could remove the ball before the MOT else it would have been a fail.

With the bar fitted but no ball he was more than happy without the electrics as technically it wasn't a towbar.
Not sure if he was right to do so but who am I to argue

 

[L' Hobo]

As Barrie has said ,if you are actually in spain with a spanish registered MH you've no chance .It has to be a homologated construction & additionally fitted by someone who is a 'professional'*

*that just means they have the right paperwork to supply the installation certificate ,not that they are actually any good

Something in the back of my mind believes, as from a few years ago, that is also the case in the UK.

I think towbars now have to be tested and fitted by a 'professional' .

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[pappajohn]

The lowball needs a little heat to make it only slightly more vertica

I certainly wouldn't heat the towball enough to bend it, that's going to change the atomic structure of the steel and weaken it.
If it's the old style 'two bolts on to the bar' flange type ball just replace it.

 

[the1andonly]

If youre vehicle is pre 2012 then self build is acceptable.
Post 2012 towbars have to be type approved I suspect this will apply to chassis mounted product.