so im being told at work this week supposedly from jan next year towing electric sockets will be tested for correct operation during the cars m.o.t test, so beware of any faulty sockets will be eligable for a vt20 ( im an m.o.t tester )
towing sockets (vosa)
- Thread starter max1979
- Start date
And I thought the coalition Government was trying to remove bureaucracy! A vt20 is the pass cert.
Imagine the cost to the garages of a 12n 12 s and 13 pin testing board.
Imagine the cost to the garages of a 12n 12 s and 13 pin testing board.
In one way I think it's a good idea to have sockets part of an MOT test. But I also share dusty's view about MOT testers being able to cope with 7 & 13 pin plugs and a suitable testing board. For example, My boat trailer has a simple lighting board which doesn't have a fog light. Whereas my caravan has 8 running lights, direction indicators, brake lights and fog lights.
Then of coarse there are direct wired systems. Those that are siply connected to the car's wiring directly. Plus there are rely and plc systems like the one on my Rover which do not use the power of the car's wiring loom except to switch the lights on. Basically what I have is a small plc circuit board which reads when for instance I indicate left on the car indicator switch, and then it switches on the lefthand trailer light to flash in unison with the car. (Well that's the simple way of explaining this).
One off shute benefit of this system is that when I plug in the trailer lights, the system works each set of lights on the trailer both singularly and in conjunction with each other. IE, you get sidelights, brake lights, side and brake lights plus indicators. This fully tests the trailer lights before you start towing and will not stop if it detects a failed bulb, therefore telling you of bulb failure.
Another plus with this system is, it is linked to the car alarm system and when a trailer is plugged inand the alarm is active, unplugging the 7pin socket will set the alarm off, thus protecting to some degree your towed vehicle.
When I first got my car the 7 pin socket was not working, so I contacted the manufacturer of the relay wiring kit to get a repair solution. Dusty has asked before about who the manufacturer was, but stupid me, I forgot to keep the details and the relay box where I got the name from is tucked away it the depths of the boot side panel which is a pain to get off. But when I next get to it, I will make note of the manufacturer and let you know Dusty.
Then of coarse there are direct wired systems. Those that are siply connected to the car's wiring directly. Plus there are rely and plc systems like the one on my Rover which do not use the power of the car's wiring loom except to switch the lights on. Basically what I have is a small plc circuit board which reads when for instance I indicate left on the car indicator switch, and then it switches on the lefthand trailer light to flash in unison with the car. (Well that's the simple way of explaining this).
One off shute benefit of this system is that when I plug in the trailer lights, the system works each set of lights on the trailer both singularly and in conjunction with each other. IE, you get sidelights, brake lights, side and brake lights plus indicators. This fully tests the trailer lights before you start towing and will not stop if it detects a failed bulb, therefore telling you of bulb failure.
Another plus with this system is, it is linked to the car alarm system and when a trailer is plugged inand the alarm is active, unplugging the 7pin socket will set the alarm off, thus protecting to some degree your towed vehicle.
When I first got my car the 7 pin socket was not working, so I contacted the manufacturer of the relay wiring kit to get a repair solution. Dusty has asked before about who the manufacturer was, but stupid me, I forgot to keep the details and the relay box where I got the name from is tucked away it the depths of the boot side panel which is a pain to get off. But when I next get to it, I will make note of the manufacturer and let you know Dusty.
Ah, the dreaded failure chit.Thanks Max.
Thanks Steve.
I'm lucky because the Sorento doesn't have any silly wiring foibles but the unit you described previously sounds like an excellent piece of kit to me. When I rewired the 12N wiring a few weeks ago with proper soldered joints, stupid blue scotch clips had been fitted originally, I had a hell of a job removing the rear nearside inner wing panel. Have to confess I fractured the plastic panel. It all went back together and so far SWMBO hasn't noticed
. It probably fractured because the outside temperature was 0degs. I don't think plastic and cold go well together , never mind me.
Thanks Steve.
I'm lucky because the Sorento doesn't have any silly wiring foibles but the unit you described previously sounds like an excellent piece of kit to me. When I rewired the 12N wiring a few weeks ago with proper soldered joints, stupid blue scotch clips had been fitted originally, I had a hell of a job removing the rear nearside inner wing panel. Have to confess I fractured the plastic panel. It all went back together and so far SWMBO hasn't noticed
weve now got to invest in new equipment to be able to test the electrics and of course it has to be vosa approved which no doubt will cost twice as much as any other type
We have also heard that they are trying to bring a type of test like MOT for a caravan, Guess that means parting with more money to do the things you like
our caravan is permanantly on a caravan site so would that mean i still have to have an mot on my van or could i get away without having one like declaring it sorn
Think you will find that a major discussion took place on here a while ago referring to MOT's on caravan's and the general feelings were that it would be very hard to implement and keep tabs on them all.
My own opinion is, it will not happen unless all caravans, boat trailers, goods trailers etc etc have some kind of registration document.
My own opinion is, it will not happen unless all caravans, boat trailers, goods trailers etc etc have some kind of registration document.
Well I never, is that why my dentures hurt in the winter but are fine in the Spring/Summer ?.Dustydog said:I don't think plastic and cold go well together , never mind me.
MOT stations will only test 13 pin sockets and not 7 pin sockets. Also vehicles are tested as presented so i if the socket is fitted with a protective rubber boot you cannot dismantle to test so it would be a VT 32 Pass & Advise. Trust me ,the standard of the MOT pass for cars & lcv's is very low. this won't present a problem to any one for example with a car regestered prior to 2009 as prior to that caravans were not required to have a 13 pin socket therefore the towbar socket will not be testable.
hi all
what we need to find out is what exactly is going to be tested? i would assume just the lights,so if all the lights are working on your van there should not be a problem,but i have another thought to consider......would the indicator warning light/buzzer be tested also? and if not working would that be a fail?
hgv dave
what we need to find out is what exactly is going to be tested? i would assume just the lights,so if all the lights are working on your van there should not be a problem,but i have another thought to consider......would the indicator warning light/buzzer be tested also? and if not working would that be a fail?
hgv dave
as an mot tester theres ways round the mot so if u no ur tow socket is a bit iffy take it off for the mot then put it back on afterwards if its not there at the time of test u cant test it
Lights that work properly on any trailer are an essential safety feature and to be honest there should be no trick of the trade to negate the need to have such an item working as it should. Also by testing 13 pin sockets only, that let's the biggest offenders off the hook and by that I mean Farm vehicles.
Yet again it's an EU suggestion to test the latest version and not apply to all. There's a simlar situation with daytime running lights on the forum presently.
MOT testing of caravans and trailers has been discussed before on the forum and basically we felt, there were so many hurdles for the testing stations and legalities for the VOSA & Dept of transport to overccome. It wouldn't be brought in anytime soon.
Before long though, i can see that we will be having to register trailers with individual registration numbers and display their number plates as they do in europe.
As usual Britain will roll over and let the EU tickle it's tum and walk all over us once again.
BTW I'm in favor of MOT's for trailers and there is already a system in place to test HGV trailers that could be easily adapted to cater for caravans and all other trailers.
Yet again it's an EU suggestion to test the latest version and not apply to all. There's a simlar situation with daytime running lights on the forum presently.
MOT testing of caravans and trailers has been discussed before on the forum and basically we felt, there were so many hurdles for the testing stations and legalities for the VOSA & Dept of transport to overccome. It wouldn't be brought in anytime soon.
Before long though, i can see that we will be having to register trailers with individual registration numbers and display their number plates as they do in europe.
As usual Britain will roll over and let the EU tickle it's tum and walk all over us once again.
BTW I'm in favor of MOT's for trailers and there is already a system in place to test HGV trailers that could be easily adapted to cater for caravans and all other trailers.
you normally find that when they bring new laws in regarding motor vehicles there is a cut off point,for example tow bar regulations changed for cars registered after 1997. Now we have Day running lights DRL, that I think are an excellent idea having been a Volvo devote since 1978. I to would be interested in retro fitting said lights even though my Volvo currently runs on dipped beam, but the regulations in there operation would make the wiring a little complex, IE, thay have to be extinguished when your headlamps are in use, OK you could switch them manually, but the first time you forget to turn them off, your then breaking the law under dazzle regulations, crazy I know. As regards to Agriculture trailers, farmers tend to use a lot of old HGV trailers, well past there sell by date, who`s lighting leaves a lot to be desired, but there wiring is totally different configuration to a seven pin car socket and would be annually checked at it`s local HGV testing station.
Damian
Moderator
Quote " theres ways round the mot so if u no ur tow socket is a bit iffy take it off for the mot then put it back on afterwards if its not there at the time of test u cant test it"
For an MOT tester to promote such an idea is unbelievable.(remind me not to use your MOT testing station)
Surely the MOT is designed to at least have cars on the road with a minimum of roadworthiness, not be "Got Around" and leave significant faults unattended.
Taking the socket off and putting it back on would take longer than fixing it in the first place, plus there is the potential to have a short circuit and send the whole car up in flames.
If you KNOW you have a fault on the socket, get it fixed.
For an MOT tester to promote such an idea is unbelievable.(remind me not to use your MOT testing station)
Surely the MOT is designed to at least have cars on the road with a minimum of roadworthiness, not be "Got Around" and leave significant faults unattended.
Taking the socket off and putting it back on would take longer than fixing it in the first place, plus there is the potential to have a short circuit and send the whole car up in flames.
If you KNOW you have a fault on the socket, get it fixed.
anyone with half a brain wouldnt leave bare wires exposed, what if you have a tow bar an never use it then rather than have the inconvienience of having it repaired then just remove it and get a pass, and for your information i have a good reputation for my m.o.t testing with probably getting on for a thousand customers returning each year for an m.o.t.
remind me not to bother helping anyone out in the future regarding an mot on their vehicle
remind me not to bother helping anyone out in the future regarding an mot on their vehicle
Allan you could switch the running lights/dipped beam fairly easily with a double throw relay. However, just today I passed a split new Audi A3 with its dipped beam on and the LED running lights fully ablaze, so something doesn't add up there.
I think your being a little oversensitive Max,as a tester myself some of the test rules are ridiculous. for example, i test a zafira where the dog has chewed the rear seat belts is it a pass or fail?. if the back seats(3rd row) are in the upright position they fail. customer folds the seats into the floor and the belts are no longer testable as there is no longer a corresponding seat, so it passes.doesnt alter the fact the condition of the belts are damaged. you would of course issue a pass and advise and also reduce the number of passenger seat fitted at time of test on the vt30. as for the socket test i'm sure the internal lamp / buzzer will be testable. I also believe they will introduce testing of SRS system lamps although unlikely to be testing EML lamps
Ive just re-read Damiens post. Damien, im sure you would be shocked at what VOSA regard as minimum standard. cord exposed on tyres,thats above minimum standards and can pass the MOT. I wouldnt drive on one myself but there you go. I failed a car for a corroded brake hose ferrule,it was bad,parts of the edge missing,VOSA employee advised customer it should pass,VOSA employee phoned me and told me it should pass and had explained to the customer the appeal procedure! trust me the standard of a pass can leave a lot to be desired as i'm sure Max would agree.
totally agree with your comment on the standard a car needs to be to pass an mot, dont agree with the comment on tyre cords, any cords exposed on a tyre is an immediate fail and i would put a dangerous marker on it too.
I understood there had been an amendment to the allowable damage to a tyre,this being a cut of 10mm across and to the cords was permissable,or a maximum of two cords being damaged was ok.Cant remember whether this includes passenger vehicle or just HGV?
i test class 4 and any cords exposed on a tyre is a fail, a cut can be opened with a blunt instrument to see if any cords can be seen
cut to cord below 25 mm or 10% of sectional width is passable, not even an advisable on the system,apart from the free write section,i know this as fact as i checked on the computor yesterday for a car with a cut in the sidewall. like i said Crazy but true
re-read the testing manual section 4.1 tyres (condition) r.f.r 1b any of its ply or cord exposed which i interpretate as any cords exposed or showing will fail regardless of size of the cut
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