Failed MOT

edmundl

Hi I was just wondering how many are aware of the fact that if the 13 pin electrics on your tow car are not working correctly it is now a mot failure. I recently had my VW Tiguan fail it’s mot because the fog light connection wasn’t working. I don’t know how many are like me but when we hitch up we check rear lights brake lights and indicators but never think about the fog or reversing lights. As it was it was just a loose connection so easily rectified 

Surfer

Our electric socket folds up behind the bumper and to access it they need to move it down and then lift up the flap.  I am told that they are not allowed to do this as it would be like removing engine covers to view the engine.  Mine have never been checked on this vehicle and previous vehicles.

EmilysDad

But strangely the old 12N socket is not tested 🤔

For whatever reason my MOT tester never tests mine.

 

Cornersteady

another case for having a detachable tow bar and hidden electric socket?

Phishing

From the MOT manual:

"Some tow bars are hidden behind an access panel in the bumper or bodywork. Unless requiring the use of tools or specialist equipment, these panels must be removed to facilitate the inspection of towbar components, as well as checking inside the luggage compartment, including lifting of loose fitting mats or carpet."

Why would you not want the towbar and electrics checked. Rather have an MOT fail than 6 points.

Surfer

Why would you get 6 points if you check all your lights prior to leaving a site?  We always without fail check ours.

Whether they check our connection or not during a MOT does not concern us and regard it as a bonus if they do check!

ocsid

Good that the MOT does check it and so easy to do ourselves if doing so with a partner, when the van is coupled up. Will put it on our routine so thanks for the heads up.

Is it something we would know had been checked or not, if not stood there to witness it or know by getting a fail? I have yet to have a 13 pin vehicle MOTed to find out but come May will.

Wildwood

Must admit I had never thought of that and we have never checked the fog lights largely because we have never had potential fog trouble when towing that I can remember.

magnet

I knew the tow bar had to be checked for rust and how its fitted but nothing about the electrics. as my friend own a garage that has mot testing I will ask him and his testers and report back to this page with the rules on tow bars etc. dave

Vulcan

4.10 Trailer electrical socket
You must only inspect the trailer electrical socket on vehicles fitted with a towing coupling.
If there's no tow ball or pin, but the attachment brackets are still in place, you must assess the electrical sockets if the tow ball or pin has been:
detached
unbolted
otherwise removed
You don't need to assess the electrical sockets if the attachment brackets have been deliberately made unfit for further use.
You don't need to assess the trailer electrical socket if you need tools or specialist equipment to remove access panels in the bumper or bodywork to gain access to the socket.
A trailer electrical socket with a defective or missing cover flap that incorporates a lug and spring to hold the plug in place isn’t considered to be a defect.
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
Defect
Category
A trailer electrical socket:

insecure
Minor
likely to become detached
Major
Trailer electrical socket wiring:

insulation damaged or deteriorated
Minor
insulation damaged or deteriorated and likely to cause a short-circuit
Major
A 13-pin trailer socket:

not functioning correctly
Major
not functioning at all
Dangerous

magnet

hi all 

my friend that owns a garage says that the tow bar and electrics if fitted must all work correctly and fit for the purpose. I asked him how he tests the electrics on 13 and 7 pin plugs. he said they have a test plug to use, so we all better check our electrics and tow bar before we have a mot. dave

EmilysDad

The only time my tester has tested the electric socket on my car was when I asked him to ..... otherwise he's never even mentioned the towbar or electrics 😮

Vulcan

He obviously hasn't read the regulations as in my previous post.

magnet

obviously I didn't not as I had to ask my friend by text, that answer was just layman's not word for word sorry  about that . .I really must do better sorry dave

Zapata

There is a Special notification 1-19 fromVOSA relating to MoT testing equipment giving erroneous falings, worth a read

Zapata

This is the link (hooefully)

 

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/mot-special-notice-01-19-towbar-electrical-socket-test-tools-diesel-smoke-meters-and-annual-training-and-assessments/mot-special-notice-01-19-towbar-electrical-socket-test-tools-diesel-smoke-meters-and-annual-training-and-assessments

In a tin

Had my car 12 months, fitted after market towbar and dedicated 13 pin electrics through a reputable mobile fitter. Just failed MOT on 13 pin electrics. Evidently tail, fogs and reversing lights not working.

I didnt beleive it so did some digging on line. Evidently a lot of MOT testing equipment doesnt work on all installations and VOSA are aware of this? A forum advised to buy a 13pin to 7pin adapter which we did and fitted and because MOT doesnt test 7 pin it then was passed.

I drove straight to the caravan, hitched up. All lights working perfect.

I am guessing this could be a resistance problem which is associated with LEDs?

Next MOT the adapter will be going straight on. Its farcical!

EmilysDad

The only time 'my' tester has tested them was at my request and, as in your case, the test kit implied they didn't all work properly. The tester just ignored it  and carried on to test & pass the car.

derekcyril

My mot bloke is the same , only problem ive got now is all rust has to be recorded , ive got 2 old discos ,they still pass ,but paperwork to cover mot regulations ,joke 

Milothedog

Any defect that has the potential to get worse before the next inspection has been recorded as an advisory for quite a few years now.

Don't have to worry about MOT's anymore with one of my cars being 46 years old and exempt from Testing and RFL