Airbags - are they legally necessary?

marksandsparx

mikey72 wrote: »

Can't answer that one.
If the airbag light doesn't do what it's supposed to, eg come on with the ignition, go off etc, it's fail at our local place.
They even have a chart on the wall for each make and model to check them off on.
Same with the ABS.




But the air bag system in the car will allow for that, and rest will still work, and the warning light will function correctly.

Take your vehicle to a different place.. It is deffinately NOT a fail on the MOT. only an advisory... Fact.

ABS is a different story, that must function correctly.

The difference is.... AIRBAGS are a PASSIVE safety feature.

ABS is an ACTIVE safety feature.

ie, airbags deploy when you crash

ABS prevents you from crashing

mikey72

marksandsparx wrote: »

Take your vehicle to a different place.. It is deffinately NOT a fail on the MOT. only an advisory... Fact.

ABS is a different story, that must function correctly.

The difference is.... AIRBAGS are a PASSIVE safety feature.

ABS is an ACTIVE safety feature.

ie, airbags deploy when you crash

ABS prevents you from crashing

When that's certainly authoritative.

What reference do you have, and does it define seatbelts as active as well?
Can you post the link up?

paddedjohn

mikey72 wrote: »

when that's certainly authoritative.

What reference do you have, and does it define seatbelts as active as well?
can you post the link up?

very good point.

spiro

One of the things you need to consider is which airbags have gone off. If its the one in the dash, most cars require a new dash which is expensive.

Also as others have said it is likely to have an impact on your insurance so personally I would check with them first.

They can only be fitted by authorised sites because they are 'explosive'.

marksandsparx

.transportoffice .gov.uk/crt/ doitonline/bl/mottestingmanualsandguides/mottestingmanualsandguides.htm

3rd manual down.. No mention of airbags..

I have been a motor mechanic for 10 years.. last 8 years have been PCV/HGV, which is alot more strict that class 5.

I have also been presenting vehicles for test to many different testers, and have never had a failure.

marksandsparx

marksandsparx wrote: »

.transportoffice .gov.uk/crt/ doitonline/bl/mottestingmanualsandguides/mottestingmanualsandguides.htm

3rd manual down.. No mention of airbags..

I have been a motor mechanic for 10 years.. last 8 years have been PCV/HGV, which is alot more strict that class 5.

I have also been presenting vehicles for test to many different testers, and have never had a failure.

You will need to remove spaces etc... as i am a new user.

Inactive

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

marksandsparx

Thank you!! Hope it answers some questions

silvertree

Thanks to all - I had to give this a rest as we were doing far too much talking about it and have kept it off the road since while we decide whats next.

colino

While some might argue that it no longer confirms to original spec, as they are not legally required and are termed SRS, I'd drive happily.
However, next year these lights are being tested the same as ABS so its time to fix or move on.