Frayed seat belt MOT fail

GDB87

Hi all, my car failed it's MOT today (recorded as a dangerous defect so I can't drive it anywhere) due a fraying of the drivers seat belt. I've attached a  photo for reference. It is obviously frayed, but it has been like this for a few years and has passed previous MOTs without even an advisory.

I've been quoted £600 for a repair. Anyone know if this is a definite fail or I have had an over zealous tester? I'm confused as it passed previous MOTs in a similar condition, so would be very grateful for any other opinions. Perhaps the guidelines have changed. Thanks!

subjecttocontract

£600 to replace 1 seatbelt seems rather over the top. Suggest you get some additional prices.

Car_54

I doubt that "it passed previous MOTs in the same condition". Its condition can only have deteriorated with use over the years.

Whatever, it certainly looks seriously frayed now., and the previous MOTs are irrelevant.

But £600? Ouch!

GDB87

Thanks both. @Car_54 I'm sure you are correct, it likely has deteriorated somewhat, but I honestly don't think it has changed significantly in the last couple of years. But agree that's irrelevant if it is a definite fail now. Will call around for a few prices. Apparently I'm not able drive it anywhere until repaired with it being a 'dangerous defect.' So not sure how I would get it to a different garage... 

sevenhills

Quite rightly a fail, but it's up to you on whether you drive the car in that condition.

Get a second-hand seatbelt from ebay or a scrap yard.

Looking on ebay, I could only find this

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/314221607546?hash=item4929113a7a:g:6nEAAOSwRvFix~Il&amdata=enc:AQAIAAAAwGO7vmRub3WbG82UOqPi26eV6peHM4OZcAyQGf1lYr9+JXs4k+r0lV8ZyOZb9tpbUU1UCt8VGtp5r+G68cG8wZlOlwCpIOiUw2/oeriXvNnNd5xShK/RlWhHJoj9mDaGtd31vWUAyQi2Xs0uNednhxTJjc57SRbpzm0ndwIDZ+L9ewcExSolPvsjUWAGrkE/PyzoxjnzTOuclbtLjE5WZP+V1B0hUUUKnxsFoCRfW4VVK4eIhfBcYDkmTBrj+iQXcA==|tkp:BlBMUKDp5vqAYw

perhaps second-hand seatbelts are not legal? You may be able to get one if you visit a scrap yard. What model of car is it, lots of people breaking car in facebook groups.

daivid

A quick web search for replacement seat belts would give options (claiming) to meet BS standards and starting at about £30.Your photo shows what looks like an ordinary belt so even if paying for the pleasure of someone else fitting I would not expect to pay much over £100-150.

twopenny

I started to get this as an advisory. The 'fraying is very small, just a bit of fluff on the edge and due to a protective cover I put on it which has rubbed. It's no where near as bad as yours but seems a bit over the top and it's mostly fluff.

But £600 seems excessive. I think they are relying on you not wanting to drive it with a fail as there is a penalty.

You could take a photo to other garages and ask what they would charge to replace. I wonder if it would work with a tow? If the tow + seat belt would be worth it.

If you have other garages in the same area relatively close it may be worth an ask.

lohr500

That looks like an MOT fail to me. But £600 to replace is extracting the proverbial!

As suggested, shop around though to find a better price or try to find a complete seat belt unit from a salvage yard.

Chances are though, if it is a fairly modern car, the seat belt retractor mechanism will have a pre-tension device built in which fires in the event of a crash detection. So not a DIY job unless you know what you are doing.

Car_54

twopenny said:

I started to get this as an advisory. The 'fraying is very small, just a bit of fluff on the edge and due to a protective cover I put on it which has rubbed. It's no where near as bad as yours but seems a bit over the top and it's mostly fluff.

But £600 seems excessive. I think they are relying on you not wanting to drive it with a fail as there is a penalty.

You could take a photo to other garages and ask what they would charge to replace. I wonder if it would work with a tow? If the tow + seat belt would be worth it.

If you have other garages in the same area relatively close it may be worth an ask.

No point in a photo. It needs replaced!

elsien

I got my  seat belt replacement from a scrapyard after the dog decided to have a munch. It was a heck of a sight cheaper than 600 quid, particularly since a helpful neighbour fitted it for me.

Bigwheels1111

Breakers yard for a replacement for sure.
Make sure it’s from a car that has not been crashed.
If you had caught it before it was so far gone, the fix is a cigarette lighter.
You light it and run it up and down the damaged part. It works and passes the mot.
Give a rough location and someone on here might give a recommendation for a breakers.
Or eBay.