Club Triumph

if none are fitted, will it pass an mot or do they need putting in even though on manufacture they wont?
thanks

None needed.

You don't even need to have front seat belts for the MOT if your car is so old that it was built without them nor can you be prosecuted for not wearing a seat belt in such a car, not that I'd recommend having no seat belts!

My first car a 62 Mini had no seat belts but fitting them was one of the first jobs I did after buying it :-)

I also fitted rears to my Dolomite last year as soon as I bought it as I have kids and wanted them to be safe, easy enough job as all the mounting points were there in the car balnked off ready.

good point about the kids, i have 3 and likewise would want them to be safe. did you fit 2 rear ones or was it three and where did you get them from please?
thanks

If the vehicle was manufactured before 1 January 1973 it is not required to have rear seat belts.

For information, the age related items are as follows:

LICENSE PLATE: If the vehicle was manufactured before 1 January 1973 it may have registration plates displaying white, grey or silver characters on a black background.

VIN: If the vehicle was first used before 1 August 1980, there is no Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)

HORN: If the vehicle was first used before 1 August 1973, the horn does not have to be continuous or uniform, and it may be harsh or grating.

HAZARD LIGHTS: If the vehicle was first used before 1 April 1986, the vehicle is not required to have Hazard Lights, which should only be tested if fitted.

REAR FOG LAMP: If the vehicle was first used before 1 April 1980, the vehicle is not required to have a rear fog lamp.

REAR SEAT BELTS: If the vehicle was manufactured before 1 January 1973 it is not required to have rear seat belts.

FRONT SEAT BELTS: If the vehicle was manufactured before 1 January 1965 it is not required to have 3 point front seatbelts.

WING MIRRORS: If the vehicle was first used before 1 August 1978, it is only required to have ONE mirror from the following: an interior mirror, OR an exterior mirror fitted to the offside, OR an exterior mirror fitted to the nearside.

CATALYTIC CONVERTOR: If the vehicle was manufactured before 1 August 1992, it is not required to have a catalytic convertor.

CHILDREN AND SEATBELTS: If your vehicle doesn’t have seat belts, for example it’s a classic car, you aren’t allowed to carry any children under 3 years old in it. Children over 3 are only allowed to sit in the back seats. These rules only apply if your vehicle was originally made without seat belts.

That 1973 date is wrong re rear seat belts. None of the cars I grew up with had them fitted, and I eventually dug up the year 1987 being th eyear they had to be fitted in the rear.
When looking, I saw that 1973 date elsewhere, but I have no idea what it is referring to.

Cars first used before 31st March 1987 yes 1987 do not require rear belts but if they are fitted must comply to MOT standards.

Apologies, I was indeed wrong on the rear seatbelts.

The MOT manual for passenger vehicles, motor caravans and ambulances with up to 8 seats states:

If first used before 1 Janury 1965 - no seatbelts needed.

For vehicles with ULW<2540kg:
If first used before 1 April 1981, drivers and specified front seat passengers need a belt which restrains the upper part of the body. No other belts needed.

For vehicles first used before 1 April 1987: drivers and specified front passengers need a 3 point belt; other front passengers need either a 3 point belt or a lap belt or a disabled persons belt; no other belts needed.

Otherwise:
With 1 or 2 forward facing seats behind the drivers seat: drivers and specified front passengers need a 3 point belt; other front passengers need either a 3 point belt or a lap belt or a disabled persons belt; in forward facing rear seats either a 3 point inertia reel belt in one seat or a lap belt in both seats or a 3 point belt in both seats or a disabled person's belt in both seats.

If more than 2 forward facing seats behind the drivers seat:  drivers and specified front passengers need a 3 point belt; other front passengers need either a 3 point belt or a lap belt or a disabled persons belt; in forward facing rear seats, either a 3 point inertia reel belt on an outboard seat plus a 3 point static or inertia reel belt, lap belt, disabled person's belt or child restraint for at least one other seat, OR a static 3 point belt for one seat and a disabled person's belt or child restraint for at least one other seat, OR a 3 point belt, lap belt, disabled person's belt or child restraint to each seat


If ULW is >2540kg and first used before 1 October 1988 - no seatbelts needed.
If ULW is >2540kg and has 1 or 2 forward facing seats behind the drivers seat, then: the driver & specified front passenger needs a 3 point belt; other front passengers need either a 3 point belt or a lap belt or a disabled persons belt; in forward facing rear seats either a 3 point inertia reel belt in one seat or a lap belt in both seats or a 3 point belt in both seats or a disabled person's belt in both seats.

http://www.motuk.co.uk/manual_530.htm