10 replies to this topic

[Surfbodi2005]

Hi all. I recently bought a pair of BB bucket seats for my 1991 mini. They are fitted to sliders on tilting seat frames so we're super easy to fit but now I'm stuck with the problem of them not having the little hook at the back contraption that was on my previous seats (I still have them). It wouldn't bother me having the rear of the seats fixed to the floor as nobody goes in the back of my car but would this be an mot fail? I can't use the aftermarket cobra type subrames as the seat holes are wider and shorter. I should have thought about this before I bought the seats!

[bpirie1000]

The mot tester on,y tests what is there... remove the back seat and no need for seat belts in the back... remove the front passengers seat and well no need to,test it..

So long as the seat is stable. Not rocking and appears to be solidly mounted then it should pass... I would suggest speaking to the mot tester when you intend to use before booking it in....

[Surfbodi2005]

Hey, thanks for that. I will drop into the garage to ask them later.

[Ethel]

I think the seats will still need to be secured if the originals were. I failed a test in a van (no back seats) because I forgot to put back 2 self tappers holding the seat squab, so I don't think there's any standard of how well they're secured.

[Surfbodi2005]

I called in my mot garage today and he said I can take the back seats and seat belts out and bolt the front seats down as long as they slide back and forth which they do. I'm keeping my old seats just in case I have to put them back in. It probably varies from one garage to another! Cheers.

[stuart bowes]

I'm surprised that sliding back and forth is a requirement, I've seen loads of cars with bucket seats just bolted down with brackets how do they get away with it then.. 

 

and why would it matter that someone else would be able to drive my car lol it's mine, the seat is in the 'right place'

[Cooperman]

For special-stage rallying, where the cars must have an MoT, it is required that the seats are fully bolted down and be in a fixed position, so it's not an MoT issue if they can neither tilt or slide.

[coopertaz]

had a mini fail once with original seats and hooks, some testers will try to apply rules to the car instead of testing as built. i put a strap round lower support and riveted it to floor. it then passed. note go to a different tester now

[bpirie1000]

Well done. Sure the mot tester will now pass you with flying colours.

A visit to speak to the retested always allows you to gauge how mini friendly they will be..

some testers hate a mini some,(the good guys) love them......

[gazza82]

The FBHVC lists Classic-friendly garages on their website

[stuart bowes]

anyone in the dagenham/ilford/romford area I can highly recommend Motorised UK on motts lane, the MOT guy has a mini himself and is a marshall at Brands, the only real risk is chatting for ages and losing track of time, nice guy

 

maybe we can do a sticky, post if you have a mini friendly mot in your area

Edited by stuart bowes, 04 December 2023 - 06:52 PM.