Tow Bars to become part of MOT test.

VOSA have just sent out a Bulletin to test stations, telling them that Tow Bars will shortly be subject to testing as part of the MOT.
Insecure mountings, corrosion (inc. within 30cm of mounting points), missing locking pins etc etc will all become reasons for your vehicle failing the test.
There's no date set yet for when this will start, but probably within the next few weeks.

i have been wondering for a while if this will be tested and now it shows it will

Tas been tested here for years....but ive never seen an mot tester actually look at it...and he cant test the electrics unless i bring a trailer....

109party said:

i have been wondering for a while if this will be tested and now it shows it will

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But is it a tow bar with the ball removed??

david451 said:

But is it a tow bar with the ball removed??

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No, thats classed as a 'euneuch cycle'.

storm99 said:

Tas been tested here for years....but ive never seen an mot tester actually look at it...and he cant test the electrics unless i bring a trailer....

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Naw you get a doofer that plugs into the sockets, used one for years on trailers, it can even supply air for the brakes aswel, we also had a little plug tester that just plugged in.

oh good. something else to fail on!

actually i just thought what about the 2 on my front bumper for nudging chavs how they gonna test them

Could be interesting if you leave the removable towball in the boot or at home.....:doh:......:blabla:

And will they only be allowed to inspect towbars that have been built after the type approval date???

odenne said:

oh good. something else to fail on!

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If it only fails on one thing, I feel I dont get value for my money, best if its a **** heap,

Anyway thats catastroffic finkin toots.

Don't think it's going to be that big an issue. If it fails on the towbar chances are that it would have failed on corrosion issues anyway.

From VOSA's consultation document.

Towbar checks

The other main proposal in the consultation is a measure to ensure that any car or light goods vehicle which is presented for MOT test and which has a towing hitch fitted would, in future, have the towing hitch itself, and the manner and integrity of the attachment of the towing hitch to the parent vehicle, checked as part of the MOT test of the vehicle.

The proposed check would be fairly basic that is, the check would be visual and similar in style and content to other aspects of the MOT test which are concerned with making an assessment of the structural integrity of load-bearing structures on the vehicle. As with all other aspects of the test the check would be carried out without any element of dismantling by the tester which means that only those parts of the towing hitch which could be seen would be subject to assessment.

It is understood that the inspection would not require the tester to identify whether or not the towbar is marked, or to check the wear or ovality on the ball itself.

Yep.
I looked at the document today and discussed it with the tester while he was doing my Disco, Electrics aren't mentioned at all, it just appears to be basic security and common sense, correct materials and bolts etc, visually only.
They wont remove plastic ball covers either.

I asked about recovery points and he told me that they aren't included at all and a tow hitch fitted as a recovery point would not be part of the test. The document states "emergency recovery eyes" and "shackle points".

Conclusion of our conversation was that if I remove the electrics and lift the tow point for clearance, its no longer a tow point but a recovery point.. BUT, I would hope its secure anyway cos its not much use otherwise.