Can I take rear seat belts out?

[CG75]

My 1959 Traveller has front and rear seat belts fitted. The rear ones are a pain in the neck when putting the rear seat up and down. I rarely (once) have anyone travelling in the back anyway. If I remove the rear seat belts will it a problem for the MOT (which I do know isn’t legally required)?

[svenedin]

You do not legally require seat belts (front or rear) in a 1959 car BUT if they are fitted they must meet the legal requirements. So, yes you can take out the rear seat belts but you need to take all of it out (belt part and anchor part). If you don't, I suspect the car would fail an MoT on non-functioning seat belts.

Stephen

[Chief]

They can all stow nicely in the area under the rear seat base (or at least mine could, though it's a saloon) in case they're ever needed again, I left some of the bolts/washers/nuts in-situ (mine fitted into the rear shelf below the rear window) as I just know they'll get lost otherwise and currently it means not having big holes showing.

I suspect the car would fail an MoT on non-functioning seat belts.

When I removed mine I discovered the strengthening plate that sits within the wing was sheared (rusted) in half, you'd think that should have been an MOT issue since only the tightness of the nut was keeping the plate on, but I'm guessing it passed several like that.

In my case I only removed mine because they damage the seat covers, and I don't want my replacement covers to suffer the same fate.

[CG75]

Thanks both. @Chief…newly covered seats is exactly why I’m considering taking them out!