Nearside Rear Passenger's seat backrest cannot be secured in the upright position. What??

Afrapp88

Hi all,

I recently brought my car for MOT. I was expecting to pass it as it got regularly checked, but it failed due to the following issue: "Nearside Rear Passenger's seat backrest cannot be secured in the upright position. (6.2.6 (a) (i))".

Does it mean exactly what it says? That the rear passenger seat just MOVES on its own as it cannot be secured upright? I am so surprised because it feels like it's something I would have bloody noticed. Does anyone have experience with this (or is a mechanic)?

In the meantime, I asked the garage for clarification, maybe it's a defect you only notice if you specifically look for it.

Best,
Andy

roddydogs

Have you tried it?

EdGasketTheSecond

I had a fail on that once. The bolts securing the catch had worked loose and just needed tightening.

Aylesbury_Duck

It's a pretty important safety issue so it's a good job they noticed. The seat folding on a passenger in an accident would be a nasty thing. As the previous poster says, I suspect the catch on the back of the seat has come loose or has perhaps got bent or something. Should be a straightforward thing to fix.

AdrianC

Afrapp88 wrote: »

I recently brought my car for MOT. I was expecting to pass it as it got regularly checked, but it failed due to the following issue: "Nearside Rear Passenger's seat backrest cannot be secured in the upright position. (6.2.6 (a) (i))".

Does it mean exactly what it says? That the rear passenger seat just MOVES on its own as it cannot be secured upright? I am so surprised because it feels like it's something I would have bloody noticed. Does anyone have experience with this (or is a mechanic)?

In the meantime, I asked the garage for clarification, maybe it's a defect you only notice if you specifically look for it.

And the tester does look for it.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/mot-inspection-manual-for-private-passenger-and-light-commercial-vehicles/6-body-structure-and-attachments#section-6-2-6

NSR seat is the one behind the front passenger (assuming RHD car...).
The rear seat folds, correct?
So grab that seat back, and try to pull it forward, as if you'd released the catch to fold it. But, obvs, without releasing the catch.

Does it move?
If so, fix it.
Then take it back for a retest. If it's by the end of the next working day after the failed test, a partial retest is free of charge, or a reduced fee if within 10 days.
https://www.gov.uk/getting-an-mot/retests