I saw the following from Paul Weeding in another thread (HID Headlights) A raft of new MOT checks were announced in January last year, but not all of them took immediate effect. The ones that didn't kick in last January are now, as of March 20, in effect. For most cars the additional checks will include: Headlamp levelling and cleaning devices when fitted for HID or LED headlamps Main beam 'tell-tale' warning. Battery (including those in electric and hybrid vehicles Electrical wiring and connectors. Trailer electrical socket security and damage. Operation of 13-pin trailer electrical sockets Operation of steering wheel lock (where fitted) including a malfunction warning in respect of an electronic steering lock Electronic power steering malfunction indicator lamp Electronic parking brake control and malfunction indicator lamp Electronic Stability Control (ESC) components, including the switch (if fitted) and malfunction warning Brake fluid warning lamp Tyre Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS) SRS components including airbags, seat belt pre-tensioners, seat belt load limiters and SRS malfunction warning lamp Engine mountings Speedometer Indirect vision devices such as cameras (where they replace obligatory mirrors) Since January last year, if an MOT tester found any of these instruments wasn't up to scratch they were supposed to warn the vehicle owner that it would fail the test (as of March 20, 2013), and register the fault as an 'advisory' only. Rather than highjacking that thread, thought best to start a new one. Nellie had a socket fitted (along with towbar) by the previous owner, however I have never tested it, and considering the state of the wiring that was in the engine bay when I got her, I'm not confident that it will even work. I just wanted to check, from what the above says, does that mean if you have a trailer socket fitted, it must be operational? Is this going to be another thing for the list before her MOT in a few weeks time?
only applies to the new 13 pin sockets, the old 7 pin are not tested, towbar and socket just need to be secure.
I had my T5 mot'd on Friday with a pass. I fitted a tow bar and socket last year, I never fitted the buzzer but it passed so as always depends who tests your van/car as to what faults are found.
Can I just say guys, as of next year all trailers will be subject to their own mot and between now and then all electrics for towing will become part of the car mot. Seven pin or thirteen regardless, and I believe an audio beeper has to be fitted, legally.
So inside the cab needs to a bleeper/light confirming the indicators are going off on the trailer? Wow.
It's crazy, really. Better to fit a light (which you can ignore). A Hella indicator relay meant for towing is a straight swap for your stock indicator relay, and has an output for driving a light or beeper.
The fish has a green flashy light on the dash for when you're indicating while towing As for the MOT for trailers, is that all trailers, or just trailers that were manufactured after a certain date?
I think its just the big guys not us dinky car trailer types. Am I not right in thinking that lorry trailers in Europe are registered as a separate thing from the cab but here they are not.
Ok I'll try and answer all of the above. From what I'm led to believe it is ALL trailers, hence why I'm being put forward for trailer mot training. This comes into force next year thanks to Europe. The beeper can be fitted anywhere as long as it is audible from the drivers seat. A flashing light isn't enough. Also the beeper is fitted in series between the vehicle loom and the trailer electrics so if one light goes out the beeper won't activate, this way you have a tell tale when a light is out. Trailer servicing is very lucrative so that's probably why a garage has just opened.
Whatho Boy, long time no hear. Do you know how they're going to police it, trailers don't have reg numbers and many don't have chassis numbers. Will it just be a case of "if you're pulled over?" I genuinely think there's a lot to be said for it, seeing some the bags o'Marmitee that run round here but if the DVLA have anything to do with it, they're bound to feck it up.
Chris, you can't tow without electrics. Topbanana. How you doing chap? Every trailer should have a serial number. They are built with one. As to how they will police it. I guess it'll be something like the dvla. I'll hit the boss up for more info tomorrow.
I'm not planning on towing but just want to check for purpose of mot, if you have a tow bar do you have to have the electrics to pass the new mot?
I would have to check on that. Something else that's just popped in mind. Again thanks to Europe, as of next year all electrics will now be 13 pin only, this is slowly being fazed in now.
