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AIBU?

Car seats and MOT

37 replies

ProtegeMoi · 26/03/2013 20:50

Is it common knowledge that your supposed to take car seats out the car for the MOT or are my garage just being picky?

This is my first car, first MOT so had no clue, the garage did a pre-MOT the week before and said all was fine.

Took the car today and it passed, woohoo! But there is an advisory note saying they could not check the seatbelts due to the car seat fitted.

They never told me to remove me at the pre- MOT or when I turned up with the car, and the car seat is fitted via isofix so surely you can still check the seatbelt?

I know it dosnt really matter in the grand scheme of things was just wondering if I should have known this and if its common practice?

OP posts:
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oldraver · 26/03/2013 20:53

Its standard practise

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oldraver · 26/03/2013 20:54

Sorry meant its standard to put the advisory, I have never been asked nor no anyone else that removes the car seat for MOT

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BikeRunSki · 26/03/2013 20:56

Advisory normal if a car seat is in seat.

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Idocrazythings · 26/03/2013 20:59

Our mot last week said the same thing?. Not too bothered though

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Idocrazythings · 26/03/2013 21:01

Oh, and no one told me to take the car seats out- before or after (was our first as well) they never commented

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WMittens · 26/03/2013 21:01

It's not a black mark against you, it's just the tester stating that they didn't test the seatbelts - they're not allowed to remove anything during the MOT, they have to test it 'as presented'.

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Idocrazythings · 26/03/2013 21:03

Ps what was your pre mot for and did it cost you? We just paid £55 and were done. Is that normal?

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ProtegeMoi · 26/03/2013 21:04

So do you think I should go back and have the seatbelts checked!

I'd have taken it out if he mentioned, I was waiting while he did it anyway.

Just want to make sure its all safe for the children.

OP posts:
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ProtegeMoi · 26/03/2013 21:06

The pre-mot cost £15 he had a quick check over the car for common but easily fixable mot failures. Was very lucky actually as I had an air freshner hanging from my mirror and was told to remove it as that can be a failure!

The actual mot cost £49.

OP posts:
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Meglet · 26/03/2013 21:07

I've never taken the car seats out for the last 5 MOT's. They've never mentioned it Confused.

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Idocrazythings · 26/03/2013 21:07

Personally, I'm sure it's fine?. As long as it clicks in and does that thing at the top where it "locks" in place they should be right

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mrsbungle · 26/03/2013 21:08

I have had an advisory note about that before. Last time I took the seats out.

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goldenlula · 26/03/2013 21:09

I had that on my last mot, as dd's carseat was in the car. Never noticed it before though.

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feebeecat · 26/03/2013 21:09

You did well, our garage failed my MOT.
Wouldn't mind but dh was in the waiting room so could've removed the seats had they mentioned it (this was several years ago and first MOT once we moved onto fixed carseats).

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QuietNinjaTardis · 26/03/2013 21:11

Why would an air freshener cause the car to fail its mot?

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WMittens · 26/03/2013 21:15

Why would an air freshener cause the car to fail its mot?

Obstructing vision; sat nav/phone holders can cause similar advisories/failures depending where they're placed.

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RandallPinkFloyd · 26/03/2013 21:18

Don't think it was mentioned on my last one but have this year's tomorrow so we'll see if it changes!

Cost wise, the maximum charge is set every year by VOSA, garages can charge whatever they want under that but can't charge over it. I can't remember exactly but I think is was £52 last year so £55 sounds about right.

I wouldn't worry about the seat belt though, all they do is a visual check and tug on it to test the tension, nothing you can't check yourself. I'm sure it's fine.

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FeckOffCup · 26/03/2013 21:19

My car goes for it's MOT tomorrow, how am I meant to take the car seat out when I will have to walk 15 minutes home from the garage pushing my 2 year old in the buggy, I can't manage to lug a huge heavy seat too.

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RandallPinkFloyd · 26/03/2013 21:21

feebee that kind of thing is exactly what gives mechanics a bad name. I hate that kind of crap.

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poocatcherchampion · 26/03/2013 21:22

Leave it at the garage?

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RandallPinkFloyd · 26/03/2013 21:22

Feck, it should be fine, if they really won't let you leave it in just shove it in the boot or leave it lying on the seat just not buckled it.

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QuietNinjaTardis · 26/03/2013 21:23

Oh ok. At enough.

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QuietNinjaTardis · 26/03/2013 21:23

Fair enough! Stupid fat fingers

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WMittens · 26/03/2013 21:23

So do you think I should go back and have the seatbelts checked!

Test them at home:

  • are seatbelts fitted? Yes/No
  • are front seatbelts 3-point seatbelts, with inertia reels? Yes/No
  • do the outer rear seats have have inertia reel 3 point belts, and the middle have a 3 point belt or lap belt? Yes/No

    If you can say yes to all three points, you've passed.


    Just clip the belts in and give them a hard tug to make sure the buckles and reels don't slip under a significant force.
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TheEasterBunnyVsTheKids · 26/03/2013 21:24

Seatbelts note is a standard advisory as most garages are not authorised to remove and reinstall carseats.

Our camper failed an mot once for having a garland of Hawaiian flowers hung over rear view mirror. Mechanic was not allowed t remove them so had to fail the van, but it was a free retest and a pass once DH too the flowers down only to rehang them once the pass cert was in hand

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