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Subject Topic: tow bars now included in mot
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22/2/2012 at 3:00pm
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i wasnt trying to give the impression hide them, it was for the people that wire there socket and van different so if people nick it the lights will be all over the place, hence attracting attention,
i agree that the mounts should be tested as some of the old uncared for cars might have rust around bolts etc,


16/3/2012 at 7:21pm
 Location: Powys Wales
 Outfit: Abbey 2 berth. Astra sports tourer .
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Quote: Originally posted by Hacksaw Bob on 21/2/2012
Don't think they're allowed to remove towball covers!

Oh yes we can.

-------------
Rob


16/3/2012 at 7:30pm
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http://www.motuk.co.uk/manual_660.htm

Says here they must not be removed!

Saxo1



16/3/2012 at 9:48pm
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Quote: Originally posted by saxo1 on 16/3/2012

http://www.motuk.co.uk/manual_660.htm

Says here they must not be removed!

Saxo1


My car was MOT'd a couple of weeks ago and I know they didn't remove the tow ball cover because there was a hairline cobweb on it when the car went in and it was still there when the car came out...elementary my dear Watson



17/3/2012 at 8:30am
 Location: Powys Wales
 Outfit: Abbey 2 berth. Astra sports tourer .
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Yes you are quite right, tow ball covers cannot be removed, but 13 pin socket covers are not mentioned so will be removed to check that all the lighting functions work correctly and the plug locking device is working. Indeed I did this yesterday and issued an advisory notice because of a fault between the tail lights and the O/S indicator circuits.

-------------
Rob


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18/3/2012 at 12:19am
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  Hi Rob. New member. I had a great time with my towing hitch. I paid a great deal for mine to be attached to my new Touran at Beadles Dartford. I had explained that I towed classic caravans, so I needed the hitch on my existing car. Flange type, with three separate balls, mounted on three differing pins. This gave me six couplings. The idiots fitted a swan neck, then, when I demanded they remove it and give me a refund, they tried to tell me that since November 2009, only the E.U. approved swan neck can be fitted and used ! Any other would be refused at the next m.o.t. They thought I would go away with my tail between my legs. They did eventually remove the hitch, but originally did not give me the crash bar, and when they removed the hitch, did not put it back ! My fitter went ape sh*t.   Richard.


19/3/2012 at 7:57pm
 Location: Powys Wales
 Outfit: Abbey 2 berth. Astra sports tourer .
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Hi wessex, as far as I know eu approval is not one of the things we check, weve got enough on our plates with all the new stuff which comes into being in April without checking towbars to see if they have the correct sticker on them.

-------------
Rob


30/3/2012 at 6:26pm
 Location: South West London
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I had my car MOT'd on Monday and it passed. However there was a an advisory on the 12S 7 pin socket. The 12N (trailer lights) passed with no issue. The mechanic claimed that my 12S socket had a permanent live to the R indicator. I told him (I think correctly) that PIN 4 was a permanent live and had nothing to do with the indicators and everything to do with the caravan electrics when connected. His test board showed 1 live light and he said that after May that will be a fail. Anyone any idea whose right here?


01/4/2012 at 8:54am
 Location: Powys Wales
 Outfit: Abbey 2 berth. Astra sports tourer .
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Quote: Originally posted by Osprey on 30/3/2012
I had my car MOT'd on Monday and it passed. However there was a an advisory on the 12S 7 pin socket. The 12N (trailer lights) passed with no issue. The mechanic claimed that my 12S socket had a permanent live to the R indicator. I told him (I think correctly) that PIN 4 was a permanent live and had nothing to do with the indicators and everything to do with the caravan electrics when connected. His test board showed 1 live light and he said that after May that will be a fail. Anyone any idea whose right here?

7 pin sockets are not a testable item. Only 13 pin will be checked to see if they work ok. the only thing on a 7 pin which can fail is if the plug locking device (cap) is missing.

-------------
Rob


05/6/2012 at 8:47pm
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Information

This inspection applies to: all types of towbar fitted to the rear of a vehicle. It does not include emergency towing eyes.


Tow ball covers must not be removed to facilitate inspection of the tow ball.


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.


Retractable towbars should be tested in their ‘in-use’ position unless this requires the use of tools or specialist equipment.
If a tow ball or pin is not fitted at the time of test, e.g. because it is detachable, has been unbolted or otherwise removed, but the attachment brackets are still in place, these brackets should still be assessed unless they have been deliberately rendered unfit for further use.


There may be play in some detachable tow balls between the receiver socket and the tapered swan neck fitting, with up to 3mm movement measured at the ball end. Reason for Rejection 4a should only be used where play is greater than this.
Quick release mechanisms must not be operated, only visually assessed.



Wear in a pin, jaw or hook should be regarded as excessive if the thickness of the metal at any point is reduced by more than 25% of the original thickness. Pin locating holes should be rejected if they are worn or elongated by more than 25% of their original diameter. These criteria also apply to pins and brackets for any height adjustment or swivel devices.


For tow balls the amount of acceptable wear is considerably less. However, a tow ball should only be rejected if a visual assessment indicates that the tow ball is obviously excessively worn.


Many ‘bolt-on’ type tow balls have accessory devices sandwiched between the tow ball and its mounting flange. These are not to be considered as inappropriate modifications unless their fitment is clearly likely to adversely affect the roadworthiness of the vehicle/trailer combination.
Trailer electrical couplings are tested under Section 1.9.

Method of Inspection


1. Visually assess the towbar for wear and pull on the
towbar and/or its mountings to check for security,
corrosion, fractures or damage.



2. Check the towbar assembly is attached to the
vehicle structure using mountings, supports and
fixings of an appropriate size and type.



3. Check the presence and security of:
a. retaining devices e.g. nuts & bolts
b. locking devices e.g. split pins, ‘R’ pins.

Note: Some locking devices are not obvious. In such
cases, the vehicle presenter should be advised of any
evidence of disturbance or insecurity.


4. On detachable tow balls:
a. check for play between the tow ball arm and its
receiver socket
b. visually assess the condition of any quick
release mechanism.



5. On height adjustable or swivelling towbars, check:
a. for presence, and security of locating or swivel
pins
b. locating or swivel pins and brackets for
excessive play or wear
c. locating or swivel pin retaining devices for
presence and security.


6. Check the condition of the body and chassis in the
vicinity of the towbar mountings.







7. Check the towbar assembly for any inappropriate repair or modification.

Reason for rejection


1. A towbar component insecure, fractured or
excessively:
• worn
• corroded, or
• damaged.


2. Towbar assembly is attached to the vehicle
structure using a mounting, support or fixing which
is obviously of an inappropriate size or type.


3.
a. Retaining device missing or insecure
b. locking device missing, insecure, inadequate or
damaged to the extent that its operation is
impaired.





4.
a. Excessive play between a detachable tow ball
and its receiver socket
b. a quick release mechanism that does not
secure the tow ball arm as intended.


5.
a. A locating or swivel pin missing or insecure
b. excessive play or wear in a locating or swivel
pin or bracket
c. a locating or swivel pin retaining device missing
or insecure.


6. Any deliberate modification, excessive corrosion,
damage, fracture or inadequate repair of a load
bearing structure or supporting panelling within
30cm of the towbar mountings, which affects its
strength to the extent that the security of
attachment of the towbar is significantly reduced.


7.A towbar assembly inappropriately repaired or modified such that it is likely to adversely affect the roadworthiness of the vehicle/trailer combination.

Issue Date: 01 January 2012


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06/6/2012 at 6:18pm
 Location: west yorks
 Outfit:  Fleetwood Crystal kia sportage xs
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dont see a problem with them been in the test id rather tow with the peace of mind that everything is ok and in good working order rather than the worst happening and thinking wish id had it checked
after reading this post i removed the cover so it would be checked in the mot i now know everything is sound and working


10/10/2012 at 7:03pm
 Location: Norfolk
 Outfit: Bailey Olympus 546
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I agree with you Brownie. Seems to me to be a good thing - considering this is the main contact point for around 1000kg's traveling at 50 + MPH am surprised it has taken this long to become part of the MOT Test.


11/10/2012 at 10:39pm
 Location: durham
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I have just had my KIA sorento mot'd and it failed as one of the bolts from where the tow bar was fitted had been cross threaded. Needless to say it was taken straight from the garage and back to the fitter to be sorted out. Only had the tow bar done in March and have been away quite a few times this year just glad nothing happened or there would have been big trouble.


15/3/2015 at 3:38pm
 Location: Ireland
 Outfit: Elddis Avante 474 Club
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I may be a bit late posting on this site,as I have only now come across it. But lets face it any self respecting caravanner will make doubly sure his/her towbar is totally secure. After all, would you risk your pride and joy uncoupling from its tug?? I don't think so!


via mobile 25/6/2019 at 12:30pm
 Location: Poole Dorset
 Outfit: Conway Challenger 1997
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Quote: Originally posted by Baloonhead on 15/3/2015
I may be a bit late posting on this site,as I have only now come across it. But lets face it any self respecting caravanner will make doubly sure his/her towbar is totally secure. After all, would you risk your pride and joy uncoupling from its tug?? I don't think so!


You get quite a few that tow with unsuitable cars though.


25/8/2019 at 3:43pm
 Location: Beds
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So after the best part of tens years of this new(!!) rule, I’ve had 10 car mot’s, 10 van mot’s and 3 motorhome mot’s, and I’ve not seen a single towbar or socket checked!!
Have to agree that if we were seriously trying to improve towing safety ALL trailers should be tested annually. Although getting they’re lights through a test each year would be an annual nightmare.



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