MOT failed on missing seatbelt buckle

[smileysal]

Hi,

The same garage has been MOTing my Bongo for the past 3 years (last year it went through the new style MOT).

I took it today and it's failed its MOT for 'Seat belt buckle missing Rear [7.1.2 (d)].

I have a converted Bongo with a rear kitchen. NOTHING's changed since its previous MOTs. The seat in question is the middle seat on the rear-facing set of three. The tester is adamant that because the seat matches the fabric of the seats in the front, it MUST have seatbelts on it. (I pointed out that it's in the accommodation area, so there's no requirement for it to have seatbelts). I can't see anything about that in the MOT testing requirements.

Do you know about this or have you come across something similar? Any advice appreciated.

Thanks,

Sarah

[teenmal]

What happened to the seat belt buckle ?? ( why is it missing) it is a failure.

New failure for seat belt not functioning as intended (7.1.2)


Take care.

[Bob]

I've an idea belts weren't required on rear facing seats.

Possibly that's changed.

[Ian]

I think the law is that seatbelts are not required for rear or side facing seats, but where seatbelts ARE fitted they must fully meet requirements.

[smileysal]

What happened to the seat belt buckle ?? ( why is it missing) it is a failure.

New failure for seat belt not functioning as intended (7.1.2)


Take care.

I don't know. I've never used them or touched them. I'm really confused as to why it's passed every other time (including the new style test last year, but failed this time).

I asked if they could just remove the offending remaining part, but they told me they'd have to remove the ENTIRE rear seat for it to pass the MOT (not just the remaining seatbelt part)... I pointed out that's the bed and there's no way I'm letting them do that.

[smileysal]

I've an idea belts weren't required on rear facing seats.

Possibly that's changed.

I read something earlier that says that seatbelts aren't legally required in the accommodation area of a campervan, which is what this is.

[smileysal]

Thank you all for your responses so far. It's much appreciated.

Sarah

[Bob]

Possibly worth a chat with a garage that MoTs a lot of motorhomes?

[Northern Bongolow]

Wonder if it's owt to do with what it's called on the log book, camper, or different.