Morris Minor Owners Club

I had rather a surprise today, my van failed its test, the steering gaiters on both sides had parted at the small end at the identical place, my fault, should have checked, although ok last year and had little use since! However this was not the main surprise, which was the inability of the seat to move forward or backward causing a fail! However the test station were playing safe and said they will try to get a definitive answer to is one.

That has been part of the MoT for about a year give or take, what we have to remember is the MoT has left our cars behind and the new batch of testers haven't a clue on how to test our cars. I/we have a combined white front sidelight and indicator it was about to be failed at its last MoT for show a flashing white light to the front. Makes you think

I don't get it, if the seat adjusts then yes it must function and lock but if it doesn't adjust but is secure, what's the problem?

That's it there is no problem, they are testing from the book and not allowing for older cars some having fixed seat positions. what would there reaction to a seat in a series II the back rest folds forward and the base tilts up all with no locking system.

The seat that's in the van can't move back any further as the vehicle is constructed with a bulkhead behind. So any adjustment would be academic! I suppose I could get a spanner out and use the 4 holes in the floor to effect adjustment but doubt this would qualify.

interesting regarding the seat as i have just checked the vosa test manual and it does not say anything about fixed seats , regarding lighting problems the manual mentions vehicles back as far as 1936 for lighting rules !! so it's in the book

Sounds like it's NOT in the book then!

i mean the lighting rules are in the book but not the seat

Your car or van MUST be first used (registered) before 1st September 1965 to have white front indicators and or red rear ones as long as they are combined into front position lights or rear stop lights. After sept 1st 1965 they must be amber at the from and rear or it will fail on incorrect colour!

As for the drivers seat, original design characteristics are to be accepted and the seat doesn't need to be able to be locked in all positions as long as it can be secured.

As always chaps, the benefit of any doubt should be given to the presenter. I would pass the seat and check the date on the indicator bulbs before making a decision

Seats are in section 6:2 a


"Original Design characteristics and specialised modifications (e.g. to enable wheelchair access) are to be accepted."

"When checking the driver’s seat adjustment it is not necessary to check that the seat can be secured in all possible positions."

sorry if i have caused an issue i meant the seat rule did not state clearly if it was a fixed type then as long as it is secure it's a pass , i was just trying to help

No problem, thanks for reply.

To get a sensible mot test its worth seeking out a garage where they understand classic cars, rather than just the nearest one. Some are listed on the FBHVC website.

I've used this garage for many years, it's been there since the forties! They are well clued up on older vehicles but as all reputable concerns they have to keep up with changing rules, and although they are fair to me over silly things, I can rely on them to flag up any real problems. They have just informed me that the wording on seats is a bit ambiguous but they are reading it as being ok, so result there then. I've just change the rubber gaiters so need to get back for a retest before they perish!

Seems that a lot of silly little glitches like this are cropping up at MOT's these days. The regulations are a 'one size fits all' and it can put the tester in an awkward position. Perhaps older cars should be tested under a different regime, as I believe they are in some European countries.

Les - when you take it back with the new gaiters, take a 9/16 socket with you and if they still are not happy with the seat, tell 'em you'll shift it by taking out the securing bolts. If they still insist that, in their opinion it is un-adjustable, suggest that you would like a second opinion from Vosa - my man suggests that they may well back down. Is there anyone local who could lend you an adjusting seat for the day? shame you ain't going to Scampston or I'd take one for you to borrow. Good luck.

The above postings show me that MOT testing in Britain can be as complicated as it is over here. It's got nothing to do with the first question, but I'd like to tell my story.

Over here we can have a car which is older than 30 years inspected and certified as a historic vehicle (obtaining a registration with an H at the end of the numberplate), which has several advantages over a conventional registration. While my Moggy was being restored by Charles Ware I contacted the testing station and enquired about modifications, which are offered by CW. One of them was the conversion disc brakes and a brake servo. The man asked from which car the disc brakes would originate. I didn't know but I suspected a Morris Marina or a Ford Sierra. He looked up the Details of theses cars and decided, no, my car would not qualify for an H-registration because these parts came from cars younger than the Minor. There would be no problems with a brake servo because this was an aftermarket accessory already in the 1960s.

So I retained the drum brakes and had a servo fitted. When I took the car to the testing Station after I had brought it over to Germany, it was inspected by another tester. When he went under the car, his first question was "Why haven't you considered converting the brakes to discs, this is a solution which adds to security!"

It shows us, it all depends on the very Person who will inspect your car...

Cheers
Hubert

TFM150K wrote:Les - when you take it back with the new gaiters, take a 9/16 socket with you and if they still are not happy with the seat, tell 'em you'll shift it by taking out the securing bolts. If they still insist that, in their opinion it is un-adjustable, suggest that you would like a second opinion from Vosa - my man suggests that they may well back down. Is there anyone local who could lend you an adjusting seat for the day? shame you ain't going to Scampston or I'd take one for you to borrow. Good luck.

Thanks for that thought, I had the same lined up! As mentioned earlier they have contacted me to say they are now happy that it complies, they just wanted to be sure. Also thanks for the kind offer of loan of a seat.

Just to update, went back and nothing was mentioned. I now have a ticket for a year!

My 'seat adjusting' bolts are 1/4 Whitworth socket ......it's a body part - so not UNF threads.....