Is An Airbag Light Being Lit An MOT Failure?
Daffodil67
Posts: 1,742
Forum Member
✭✭✭
Just Asking - Buying a used car with 12 mths MOT on it but wondering if there's something dodgy going on as the airbag light on the drivers side is lit up. (Car Dealership is part of a garage)
Ta Much x
Ta Much x
0
Comments
Do you know if it's been stolen or broken into.
Probably not a best idea and unsafe to do, but maybe remove the bulb connector so it won't come on whilst attending the MOT
But like i said not safe to do. Agree with Telly_Man, it's there for a reason so needs to be checked out.
A lot of old cars dont have airbags and they dont fail?
hmm this worlds confusing!
If it doesn't have an airbag it won't fail for not having one, but I think it would fail for having a defective warning light. It is a bit odd I agree though, as mine is defective, but the warning light no longer works, so it passed.
He stuck some black insulation tape over it and it has passed the MOTs since then.
Oh how very honest of you! Jesus some people are such chavs! :mad:
Rather than spouting utter nonsense and crappy remarks, why not post a comment thats constructive, or, better still, none at all.
Besides, airbags and such related items are NOT part of the MOT test procedure. Dashboard warning lights or indicators are also not checked. The only legal requirement in a vehicle in regards to the dashboard is a working speedometer which displays speed in MPH.
Heres a list of items checked during the MOT ;
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/OwningAVehicle/Mot/DG_10016070
I just looked at this cd I have here.
Not sure whcih model in paritcular but for the safrane it says
Now that I have seen bottom post, you can ignore this.
Erm, only part with your cash once the fault is fixed by the garage maybe?
life is one massive contradiction...
Regardless of the MOT situation it's a safety feature that's better to be working than not.
Still get it checked out though.
*yeah, right
Usual causes of it going off, new owner moves seat breaks wire on seatbelt connector.
Battery or other electrical fault, battery removed or reconnected with the key in ignition, SRS/Airbag ECU throws a fault light.
Take key out of the ignition before chuffing with battery.
Wouldn't worry about the airbag going off in your face.
Light on = fault, default setting if there is a fault is to disable the system.
If messing with the airbag wiring, leave the key and ignition off for half an hour, give the capacitors time to leak down any charge before fiddling.
Don't start poking the airbag with a multimeter once it's off either, unless you know exactly what test you're doing.
Oh as has been said not a MOT failure item yet.
Whoever it was with the broken steering wheel ribbon connector, try your local TV/Video repair man, usually just a resolder job,but they can be damn fiddly.
Otherwise try a breakers yard or specialist breaker for your car, although the latter will be more expensive.
The mere fact that you haven't told your insurers may actually mean your insurance is void - which means you are driving illegally and are liable to severe penalties - including the possible seizing of your car!
An air bag light being lit doesnt make it unroadworthy my car passed its MOT with the brake warning light lit, still passed the brake tests.
Altering the car from standard i.e. different wheels or tyres and not informing them could get you in trouble.
Similarly having a empty washer bottle could get you in trouble.
In either of those cases the accident would need to be related to either your tyres or visibility giving the Police a reason to investigate.
The insurance co would use any kind of deviation from standard that you didn't inform them about as a get out clause.
Insurance assessors rarely leave their offices these days, your car will get dragged off to either a salvage yard or bodyshop and they'll take a few pictures and price up the cost of repairs, decide if it's a write off from their office.
It's what happened with one of mine they wanted to write off and herself's car they wanted to write off.
I just bent the door back on one and fitted new bumper brackets on the other.
Another chap I know has had similar problems.
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/william.whittaker1/roversreturn.htm
How does an airbag affect roadworthiness?