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MG MGB Technical - MOT v, sebring bumperless cars

Hi,

Probably showing my ignorance here.

When I lightened my '72 Gt to go on track day type events, one of the first things I did was to remove my chrome bumpers and all the metalwork involved. I was aware that others had done this and also thought it was legal to be on the road without bumpers on. The other cars also came to the venue without bumpers?

However, when I went for an MOT test, the tester said that I had to have the bumpers on. Easy enough to put back on the car as I had not changed the valence. What happens if you've done a Sebring conversion?

Does the tester only ask for the bumpers in position if the car is showing the 'presence' of a bumper i.e. because of the holes in the valence? A Sebring style rear valence would not allow you to put the bumper back easily, no holes. Or is Mr tester in the wrong?
Iwan Jones

Tester is wrong. There is no requirement for bumpers. But there must be no bits of metal that could be viewed as a hazard due to their position or condition.
Michael Beswick

Hi, thanks for the comment. Didn't query it, just took them off at the track each time. I thought it was right that you didn't need bumpers, had read it somewhere.

Does anyone know the exact section of the test manual where this is stated. So that I can show him.

Ta

Iwan
Iwan Jones

I've had a quick look through the MOT manual and I can't see anything relating to bumpers.

http://www.transportoffice.gov.uk/crt/doitonline/bl/mottestingmanualsandguides/mottestingmanualsandguides.htm

I doubt that it would actually say that you don't need to have bumpers fitted. I would ask the tester to show you where it says that you must have them.
Dave O'Neill2

Michael is right. When I took my MG for MOT last year I asked the tester if it would pass if I had removed one or both bumpers and was told it wouldn't fail without bumpers provided there were no dangerous bits protruding (eg - bumper brackets etc).
Brian Shaw

You won't find anything specifically on bumpers precisely because they are not tested. But anything sticking out and likely to cause injury, and this can include loose side trim and rot holes or splits in non-structural bodywork if you brush past someone is a failure - http://www.motuk.co.uk/manual_610.htm, inspection C1, reason 1.
PaulH Solihull

Thanks all, will discuss it with the MOT tester in April, as I need to get the car ready for its test then.

There were no brackets or anything sticking out.

Iwan Jones

There are loads of Midgets trundling around with no bumpers. Your tester is wrong. But you must have a smooth surface - no brackets left on etc. I had an old Renault that failed because the back edge of the boot lid was crumbling and the tester thought someone could cut their hand on it. A quick bit of filler and he was happy.
Mike Howlett

I've been driving my '72 B roadster for 28 years, most of that time without bumpers and it's never been an MoT issue, even at different stations. I wonder what Iwan's tester would do if he showed up with a Jaguar C-Type?

Over the years I have had 'discussions' with MoT testers on other issues eg having black and white plates on the car (you can on vehicles pre-Jan '73); no warning light on a car with semaphore trafficators (not needed if you can see them from the driving seat); requiring a date stamped silencer on a motorcycle (not if it's pre-1985).

The MoT manual's available free online and can make interesting (?!?) reading to find loopholes eg one can run a post 1992 compulsory catalytic converter car without a cat, and hence require lower emissions, if it's got an earlier engine.

The MoT Tester isn't infallible. The majority of vehicles they see are probably 3 to 12 years old which have a more rigorous testing regime (although that still doesn't feature bumpers!).

Peter
P A Allen

Slightly OT, but here's an interesting question about the MOT. The attached photo shows my first car, an EB Ford Special, pictured in 1965. It failed its MOT (I think it was called the 'ten-year test' then). Study the photo and see if you can spot why it failed (no, it didn't fail for having no bumpers!).

Brian Shaw

Wheel hub centre protruding beyond wheel arch?
B Anderson

Reg plate illumination or rear reflectors or maybe the stop/side/indicator arrangements. Presumably it had an exhaust system!
Michael Beswick

The number '3' on the reg plate is partially obscured?
Dave O'Neill2

Correct, Michael: No rear reflectors. I'm not sure what car the rear lights are from, but probably something circa 1960; they didn't have reflectors built into the lenses. I had to nip down to Halfords and buy a couple of cycle reflectors.
Brian Shaw

"black and white plates on the car (you can on vehicles pre-Jan '73)"

OOI they changed that from registered before 1st Jan 73 which it was originally, to built before 1st Jan 73 a few years ago i.e. the same as the 'Historic' road tax class. What a valuable change that was! I've left mine with reflective as it would have had them from new.
PaulH Solihull

This thread was discussed between 22/02/2013 and 25/02/2013

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