Is it an MOT Failure if the drivers door handle does not work?

Hulahoops

Morning

I understand that for an MOT the drivers door needs to be able to be opened from inside and out. My drivers door can be opened from the outside but only by using the key whilst pulling the handle as somethings broken. Out of interest does anyone know if this would be an MOT failure as it can be opened just not by pulling the handle alone? It opens fine from the inside. Will be getting it fixed as its a pain but I just wondered.

Thank you

AdrianC

The reason the test wants to know door handles work is if there's a collision and you're knocked unconscious. Can somebody get you out?

Horse's mouth:
https://www.mot-testing.service.gov.uk/documents/manuals/class3457/Section-6-Body-Structure-and-Attachments.html#section_6.2.3

PasturesNew

If you're driving along the road and somebody rams into you and there's a fire.... how are witnesses going to try to get you out?

All OK so long as you're the only vehicle on the road so this can never ever happen. Just get it fixed, you know you want it fixed, it's just a pain to get round to.

Carrot007

PasturesNew wrote: »

If you're driving along the road and somebody rams into you and there's a fire.... how are witnesses going to try to get you out?

All OK so long as you're the only vehicle on the road so this can never ever happen. Just get it fixed, you know you want it fixed, it's just a pain to get round to.

Hmm, I know the reasons. But for instance my car locks the doors the minute I get to about 12mph.


So not openable from the outside. At least I know I always forget and the passengers does not and I have to look for the button when someone wants in.


I guess it would unlock if it thought it was in an accident but would it always know?

AdrianC

The tester checks with the car unlocked. If it needs unlocking manually, that's fine.

And, yes, autolocking should auto-unlock when an impact's detected. But I bet you can turn the pita brochurew*nk frippery off...

chrisw

6.2.3 Doors and door catches
A lack of door handles due to the original design or a specialist modification is not a defect as long as the door can be latched securely in the closed position.

Strange wording. Presumably if you get a 'specialist' to modify it by taking the door handle off then it will pass.

Retrogamer

I remember years ago people used get away with driving in with the windows down.

The car can still be opened from the outside, by leaning in through the open window and using the inside handle to open the door.
The vehicle was to be tested as presented so as long as it was presented with the windows down it was a pass & advise.

But i believe they changed the wording quite some time ago so that's no longer possible.