Something else to worry about?

Steve Scott
Steve Scott Forum Participant Posts: 197
100 Comments
edited September 2016 in Towcars & Towing #1

Hi everybody just seen a letter on the other club's forum that when your car goes in for it's MOT.They check the towbar fittings and for any play in detachables along with the electric sockets 13 pin and 7 pin (12N),for positional,stop,,direction & rear
fog light.Apparently this has been tested since at least 2012.

Steve

Comments

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
    1000 Comments
    edited September 2016 #2

    I know.  Laughing but IIRC it's only 13 pin sockets they test .... no idea why.

    In the case of detachable  bars, they can only only test what's there Wink

    My tester never does, though I can see the sense in checking fixing points ... you want your caravan to arrive what at the same time as you. 

  • Steve Scott
    Steve Scott Forum Participant Posts: 197
    100 Comments
    edited September 2016 #3

    I know.  Laughing but IIRC it's only 13 pin sockets they test .... no idea why.

    In the case of detachable  bars, they can only only test what's there Wink

    My tester never does, though I can see the sense in checking fixing points ... you want your caravan to arrive what at the same time as you. 

    Write your comments here...Hi MM i would rather have it arrive a couple of seconds after me
    Happy

  • Wildwood
    Wildwood Club Member Posts: 3,581 ✭✭✭✭
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    edited September 2016 #4

    This has indeed part of the test but in general you should be aware if there is a problem so it should not be a worry.

  • IanH
    IanH Forum Participant Posts: 4,708
    1000 Comments
    edited September 2016 #5

    I'd rather like to know if there is a problem with these things, so I don't have a problem with it.

  • SteveL
    SteveL Club Member Posts: 12,303 ✭✭✭
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    edited September 2016 #6

    I always attach mine for the test. At least then they can check it if they want. I hope they do, it is not something I would want to fail. Not sure what they would do in the form of a test though, other than what I do every time I attach it, give it a good
    pull up down, side / side to check for any play.

  • Fysherman
    Fysherman Forum Participant Posts: 1,570
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    edited September 2016 #7

    I thought the electrical wiring and socket were NOT part of the test but the bar and the attachment was.

    That's what my MOT test station told me when I recently had my car tested.

    I have no idea but it passed and the socket was not checked. It does work of course.

  • peegeenine
    peegeenine Forum Participant Posts: 548
    edited September 2016 #8

    The 7 pin socket is only checked for security whereas the 13 pin, in addition, has a functionality test. It's EU regulations which is why it only refers to the EU plug, which is the 13 pin.

  • Fysherman
    Fysherman Forum Participant Posts: 1,570
    1000 Comments
    edited September 2016 #9

    They didn't touch the socket at all.

    See what happens next year as it passed ok.

  • Steve Scott
    Steve Scott Forum Participant Posts: 197
    100 Comments
    edited September 2016 #10

    http://www.motuk.co.uk/manual_190.htm

    Hi just rechecked the wording and it is 7 pin as well as 13 pin and i agree with everybody that you would like to know if the tow bar is secure. As far as the socket test, i didn't know the garage i use had a testing board .Hope the link above will help.

    Steve

  • abinitio1980
    abinitio1980 Forum Participant Posts: 37
    edited September 2016 #11

    Both are checked for "fitting" only 13-pin checked for function…



    4.

    On vehicles fitted with a trailer 13 pin Euro-socket, use an approved device to check that the socket is wired to correctly operate the trailer:



    . Position lamps



    . Stop lamps



    . Direction indicators



    . Rear fog lamp

     

    I'm guessing this is due to the greater possibility of miss-wiring a 13-pin

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