Sat-navs and MoTs

geoffeales
geoffeales Forum Participant Posts: 322
edited March 2023 in Towcars & Towing #1

Thankfully our faithful tug has passed its MoT for another year, however, when I collected it I was “advised” that my dash-cam had been removed. Apparently, it’s now an instant fail if the driver’s vision is obstructed by anything, including furry dice, air-fresheners or even dash-cameras.  The guy told me he wasn’t mean enough to fail it and make me pay for a retest, which was very kind of him. I just wish he’d removed the camera with a little more care, as both the power cable and the one coming from the rear camera had both disappeared up into the headlining, which will take a couple of hours to retrieve.

I write this warning to my fellow members, be sure to remove your camera before the test and tie the cables safely so it can all be reinstalled easily.

Comments

  • Bakers2
    Bakers2 Forum Participant Posts: 8,190 ✭✭✭
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    edited March 2023 #2

    I write this warning to my fellow members, be sure to remove your camera before the test and tie the cables safely so it can all be reinstalled easily.

    surely this defeats the object? You should have nothing interrupting your sight line - on the day of the MOT test and EVERY driving day. An MOT pass only reflects things on that day and time. Should you be pulled over for a chat, or worse involved in an accident it may cost you dearly. Especially on an insurance claim - they look closely at reasons of the cause and to reduce/refuse to pay out for non compliance. I hope you don't have to test it.

     

  • Amesford
    Amesford Forum Participant Posts: 685
    500 Comments
    edited March 2023 #3

    Likewise some motorist's have two sets of cherished number plates one set used for the MOT and one with incorrect spacings for everyday use.

  • Arch
    Arch Forum Participant Posts: 347
    edited March 2023 #4

    A dashcam will not cause an MOT failure unless it obstructs the view of the road, mine is mounted just behind and slightly below the rear view mirror and in no way restricts the view of the road.

  • geoffeales
    geoffeales Forum Participant Posts: 322
    edited March 2023 #5

    this is exactly where mine was situated, and I would agree with you but the tester in my case wouldn't!

  • geoffeales
    geoffeales Forum Participant Posts: 322
    edited March 2023 #6

    There's a balance to be had with having video evidence to prove the accident was not my fault

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,134 ✭✭✭
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    edited March 2023 #7
  • dave the rave
    dave the rave Forum Participant Posts: 806
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    edited March 2023 #8

    mine is a Garmin and small enough to mount behind the mirror.It has been the rule for a number of years now that nothing should obscure the drivers view of the road through the sweep of the wipers.It has also been law that headlights should be used at times of poor visibility and that number plates should comply with rules about spacing and font,but now that policing is no longer effective people do just what they like!

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited March 2023 #9

    It does amaze me the position of some drivers' sat-navs on the screen .... they could hardly be in a more obstructive position if they'd tried .... not suggesting this was the case in Geoff's case.

    I do know someone whose car failed its MOT due to a smelly tree hanging from the rear view mirror ...... he's never reminded of it ever though 🙄🙄🤣

    And AFAIK .... the position of cameras/etc only applies to the swept area of the screen.

  • cyberyacht
    cyberyacht Forum Participant Posts: 10,218
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    edited March 2023 #10

    My dash cam on the moho is situated top left of the windscreen and just covers the top edge of the passenger wiper arc. No mention made at its MOT  a month ago.

  • peedee
    peedee Club Member Posts: 9,383
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    edited March 2023 #11

    i have had stickers removed from the the extreme left of my windscreen during servicing prior to the MOT allegedly because it would otherwise fail. I think that is where one should place emission stickers when travelling continental.

    peedee

  • cyberyacht
    cyberyacht Forum Participant Posts: 10,218
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    edited March 2023 #12

    I've got my emission stickers on a bit of perspex. I've always put it bottom right. 

  • SteveL
    SteveL Club Member Posts: 12,299 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited March 2023 #13

    Same place for mine. I’m sure it said to put it there on the sheet that came with it. I assume so it can be seen from the curb. I wouldn’t have thought they were big enough to be picked up accurately by any camera technology. I would assume that there is a record in a computer somewhere that will say my van has a valid sticker when it is picked up by ANPR.

  • peedee
    peedee Club Member Posts: 9,383
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    edited March 2023 #14

    Good tip CY and yes you and SL are correct it should be on the right, certainly the French one, my mistake.

    peedee