Towbars now part of MOT test

Mar 14, 2005
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The VOSA document referenced in the link clearly states that the test will be applied from the 27th April 2009. - This Year
 
Nov 29, 2007
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Having just read the VOSA leaflet does anyone know what will happen if you present a car with a removable towbar without the actual towbar being fitted i.e. just the receiver? I ask this as I leave my bar in the caravan in storage.
 
May 21, 2008
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Well having read the VOSA down load, I can honestly say what a load of bull!!

First of all, you get the "visual inspection" then the words "where practicable" chucked in.

For instance a mot tester who will not be fully knowledgable about tow bars, or they will not be engineers capable of measuring the degree of tow ball wear, will be expected to visually decide if the tow bar is the correct one for the car and not a cobbled up mis-fit. Then they also have micrometer eyes to visually detect tow ball wear.

All this document has done is to give the testing station "card blanch" to declare a tow bar a fail point and then charge full price for a replacement tow bar. This will all be done with no fixed yardstick of measurement other than personal interpretation.

What would of been usefull would of been a tolerance given to the tow ball or pin diameter. Also rather than guessing elongation of fixing holes as a visual 25% increase, give fixed dimensions and specific parameters. for example a 16mm tow ball hole could be allowed to wear upto 20mm Dia, which is rediculas. A 16mm hole with a wear limit of +1 mm would be more appropriate.

Steve L.
 
Jul 31, 2010
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If it is not there, they can't test it. This does not mean it will fail,assuming the rest of the tow bar is fitted properly, it will go through as if there was no tow bar fitted at all. In fact if you leave a cover on the tow ball, they can not remove it to inspect it, pretty stupid if you ask me, but what do I know, I have only been a mechanic for 45yrs.

Steve W
 
May 21, 2008
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Thats my whole point Steve W.

Like you I've been an engineer for 34years and for 10 years heavily involved in R&D for the likes of Lotus and Aston Martin.

The whole document makes a complete mockery of any attempt to define this as a "safety" test of the condition of a tow system.

I personally don't let any of the tyre depots mot my car. It goes to a proper garage, not a franchise dealership even.

A true motor mechanic is a tradesman who can work on any car with confidence. It's my educated guess Steve that, you are in this catagory.

Atb. Steve L.
 

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