Does anybody have a reliable source for MOT Regulations?

I have an airbag light that is always on which I know is a fail, but it's been obscured by somebody attempting to cover the light on the clocks.

If a light doesn't illuminate is it still likely to be an failure? For example, if I took the bulb out just to get it through the MOT until I can get the airbag sorted?

Thanks.

Information

1. As far as practicable, check that all airbags

fitted as original equipment are present and

not obviously defective.

2. Check that the Supplementary Restraint

System (SRS) malfunction indicator lamp

(MIL) does not indicate a fault in the system.

1. An airbag obviously missing or defective.

Note: A passenger airbag that has been

switched off is not a Reason for Rejection.

2. A Supplementary Restraint System (SRS)

malfunction indicator lamp indicating a

system malfunction.

This inspection applies to airbags, seat belt

pretensioners and seat belt load limiters fitted as

original equipment other than on Class 3

vehicles.

The SRS malfunction indicator lamp (MIL)

may display a symbol similar to that shown

below, or one depicting a person wearing a seat

belt. Alternatively, the letters SRS or another

symbol may be displayed.

Method of Inspection

Seat belt load limiters are used on some

vehicles to minimise seat belt inflicted injury in

violent collisions. This is generally achieved by

releasing a little more excess belt webbing when

a great deal of force is applied to the belt.

The simplest type of load limiter is a fold sewn

into the belt webbing. The stitches holding the

fold in place are designed to come apart when a

high amount of force is applied to the belt,

thereby releasing an extra bit of webbing.

A more commonly used limiter is a mechanical

type, such as those which use a torsion bar in

the retractor mechanism. These cannot usually

be readily seen or inspected.

Seat belt pretensioners may be fitted to some

seat belts. Once activated a warning device may

display.

Reason for Rejection

1. As far as practicable, check that all airbags

fitted as original equipment are present and

not obviously defective.

2. Check that the Supplementary Restraint

System (SRS) malfunction indicator lamp

(MIL) does not indicate a fault in the system.

1. An airbag obviously missing or defective.

Note: A passenger airbag that has been

switched off is not a Reason for Rejection.

2. A Supplementary Restraint System (SRS)

malfunction indicator lamp indicating a

system malfunction.

3.

a. A seat belt load limiter or pretensioner

obviously missing where fitted as original

equipment

b. a seat belt pretensioner or a ‘folded

webbing’ type load limiter obviously

deployed.

Thanks Nige, that's a good bit of information.

Does anybody know about the actual light? I read somewhere about how if the light never illuminates then it's an advisory, but read elsewhere that that's a fail.

The airbag is present, I'm fairly sure the slip ring is damaged.

That is taken from the MOT testers handbook, and if you look at reasons for rejection 2.2 if the light is ON then it "should be" a Fail !! In your case it's not a simple remove the bulb as it's a surface soldered LED

They would know if your light was removed/not working as they come on when you start the car up.

Edited 20 February, 201511 yr by vdoubleu

It's not a fail, but it is an advisory. I got advised on this, well until I pointed out that ibizas have the airbag light on the dashboard.

Yeah, I know that the light comes on with the ignition, mine stays on but they've used something (I've no idea what) to kind of blot over it.

It either made it through its last MOT like that, without even an advisory, or it was done between May and September last year.

I didn't realise It was a soldered LED so that idea, as a temporary solution, has gone out the window. I'm just gonna have to try and fix it, and if I don't manage it, hope the tester just gives it an advisory.

I thought it was a fail if the light didn't come on when you turned the ignition on if an airbag was present (ie you had removed the bulb) I would say its still down to the mot tester's discretion as I had an abs light on all the time and was told if the light wasn't on (ie take bulb out ) it would pass this was a garage that did mot's as well, so if you always go to the same garage for your mot ask them, I always use the same garages for all my mot's I do have quite a few cars mind, as they get to know you and your motors