Hi there, I have a 1961 VW Beetle and the wiring is a mess. What is
required by law for the MOT in terms of electrics?

- Do I need any fog lights front or rear?
- Do I need a hazard lights?
- Do I need a high beam indicator bulb?
- Does anything have to come on whilst the ignition is off (ie, the
horn, lights etc?)

The car will shortly have the original style rear lights which are
just a single red light which acts as the brake light, driving light
and indicator. I assume that this is also ok for the MOT.

Thanks in advance for any help.

Dave Angel gurgled happily, sounding much like
they were saying:

Hi there, I have a 1961 VW Beetle and the wiring is a mess. What is
required by law for the MOT in terms of electrics?

- Do I need any fog lights front or rear?

No - Rear 1980, front never a requirement. Rears, if fitted, must work.
Fronts don't need to work even if fitted.

- Do I need a hazard lights?

No, c. '74. But - speaking personally - I'd want to add 'em. If fitted,
must work.

- Do I need a high beam indicator bulb?

No, never a requirement.

- Does anything have to come on whilst the ignition is off (ie, the
horn, lights etc?)

Nothing specifically tested in the MOT, but I'd want side/taillights to
be able to be left on without ignition.

The car will shortly have the original style rear lights which are just
a single red light which acts as the brake light, driving light and
indicator. I assume that this is also ok for the MOT.

I'll let you figure that one out for yourself...

Tail lights
http://www.motuk.co.uk/manual_110.htm
Indicators
http://www.motuk.co.uk/manual_150.htm
Stop lamps
http://www.motuk.co.uk/manual_130.htm

"Adrian" wrote in message
...
Dave Angel gurgled happily, sounding much
like
they were saying:

Hi there, I have a 1961 VW Beetle and the wiring is a mess. What
is
required by law for the MOT in terms of electrics?

There are two sets of legal requirements, the C&U regs (for the year
of manufacture/registration) and the (current) MOT regs, items not
required under the relevant C&U regs are not required for the MOT -
but - if later additions, such as Hazard Lights, have been fitted then
they will be tested to the relevant or current MOT test standard.


- Do I need any fog lights front or rear?

No - Rear 1980, front never a requirement. Rears, if fitted, must
work.
Fronts don't need to work even if fitted.

- Do I need a hazard lights?

No, c. '74. But - speaking personally - I'd want to add 'em. If
fitted,
must work.

- Do I need a high beam indicator bulb?

No, never a requirement.

I think you will find that it is a requirement for the C&U regs, it's
not how ever part of the MOT check.


- Does anything have to come on whilst the ignition is off (ie, the
horn, lights etc?)

Nothing specifically tested in the MOT, but I'd want side/taillights
to
be able to be left on without ignition.

Again, stop talking about the MOT, what is important here is the C&U
regs, considering that 'parking lights' were a requirement at the very
minimum 'side lights' need to be independent of ignition switch.


The car will shortly have the original style rear lights which are
just
a single red light which acts as the brake light, driving light and
indicator. I assume that this is also ok for the MOT.

Yes, *IF* that is the original UK fitment.


I'll let you figure that one out for yourself...

Tail lights
http://www.motuk.co.uk/manual_110.htm
Indicators
http://www.motuk.co.uk/manual_150.htm
Stop lamps
http://www.motuk.co.uk/manual_130.htm

The C&U regs are what is important, no changes in the C&U regs (as far
as PLG vehicles are concerned) have been made retrospective, whilst
the MOT reflects the requirements of the C&U regs in force for the
year of vehicle.

":Jerry:" gurgled happily, sounding much like
they were saying:

- Do I need a high beam indicator bulb?

No, never a requirement.

I think you will find that it is a requirement for the C&U regs

It isn't. Or, if it is, Citroen were infringing C&U as late as 1990 when
they were flogging new 2cvs without a main beam warning light.

- Does anything have to come on whilst the ignition is off (ie, the
horn, lights etc?)

Nothing specifically tested in the MOT, but I'd want side/taillights to
be able to be left on without ignition.

Again, stop talking about the MOT, what is important here is the C&U
regs, considering that 'parking lights' were a requirement at the very
minimum 'side lights' need to be independent of ignition switch.

Do they? _Need_ to be? Care to point us to a reference as to that?

The C&U regs are what is important, no changes in the C&U regs (as far
as PLG vehicles are concerned) have been made retrospective, whilst the
MOT reflects the requirements of the C&U regs in force for the year of
vehicle.

That's fine. D'you want to actually be helpful and point us all at the
C&U regs that would be applicable to a 1961-registered vehicle?

Here in the real world, the MOT requirements are as good as you're going
to get - both in terms of actual compliance requirement and in terms of
what you may get hassle over.

- Does anything have to come on whilst the ignition is off (ie, the
horn, lights etc?)

Nothing specifically tested in the MOT, but I'd want side/taillights to
be able to be left on without ignition.

Again, stop talking about the MOT, what is important here is the C&U
regs, considering that 'parking lights' were a requirement at the very
minimum 'side lights' need to be independent of ignition switch.

Do they? _Need_ to be? Care to point us to a reference as to that?

Rightly or wrongly, I know someone who had an MOT failure because the
sidelights were wired through the ignition switch.

The C&U regs are what is important, no changes in the C&U regs (as far
as PLG vehicles are concerned) have been made retrospective, whilst the
MOT reflects the requirements of the C&U regs in force for the year of
vehicle.

That's fine. D'you want to actually be helpful and point us all at the
C&U regs that would be applicable to a 1961-registered vehicle?

Here in the real world, the MOT requirements are as good as you're going
to get - both in terms of actual compliance requirement and in terms of
what you may get hassle over.

I can't give a reference but my understanding is that some retrospective
changes have been made to C & U. All cars need windscreen washers (unless
the windscreen opens or can be seen round/over) and rear reflectors.

"Malcolm" gurgled happily, sounding much
like they were saying:

- Does anything have to come on whilst the ignition is off (ie, the
horn, lights etc?)

Nothing specifically tested in the MOT, but I'd want side/taillights
to be able to be left on without ignition.

Again, stop talking about the MOT, what is important here is the C&U
regs, considering that 'parking lights' were a requirement at the very
minimum 'side lights' need to be independent of ignition switch.

Do they? _Need_ to be? Care to point us to a reference as to that?

Rightly or wrongly, I know someone who had an MOT failure because the
sidelights were wired through the ignition switch.

Did it have dim-dip fitted?

The only mention of ignition switch in the MOT tester's manual, as far as
sidelights are concerned, is...
http://www.motuk.co.uk/manual_110.htm
"On vehicles fitted with dim-dip headlamp systems, the front position
lamps must be checked for operation with the ignition switched off."

I can't give a reference but my understanding is that some retrospective
changes have been made to C & U. All cars need windscreen washers
(unless the windscreen opens or can be seen round/over) and rear
reflectors.

....both of which are tested in the MOT...

The message
from "Malcolm" contains these words:

I can't give a reference but my understanding is that some retrospective
changes have been made to C & U. All cars need windscreen washers (unless
the windscreen opens or can be seen round/over) and rear reflectors.

ISTR that the windscreen washer requirement came in circa 1970. At the
time I was running an old ex commercial 2A Land Rover with just one
wiper (which was apparently still legal) but it lacked a proper washer.
My first line of defence, had I ever been stopped, was that I had an
openable windscreen. My second that the ex washing up bottle I carried
was an excellent windscreen washer at least for the drivers side. I
never had to put it to the test so I don't know if I would have got away
with it.

--
Roger Chapman

Roger gurgled happily, sounding much like they
were saying:

I can't give a reference but my understanding is that some
retrospective changes have been made to C & U. All cars need windscreen
washers (unless the windscreen opens or can be seen round/over) and
rear reflectors.

ISTR that the windscreen washer requirement came in circa 1970. At the
time I was running an old ex commercial 2A Land Rover with just one
wiper (which was apparently still legal) but it lacked a proper washer.
My first line of defence, had I ever been stopped, was that I had an
openable windscreen. My second that the ex washing up bottle I carried
was an excellent windscreen washer at least for the drivers side. I
never had to put it to the test so I don't know if I would have got away
with it.

Openable windscreen's good enough.

On 12 Jun, 10:26, ":Jerry:" wrote:
"Adrian" wrote in message


- Do I need a high beam indicator bulb?

No, never a requirement.

I think you will find that it is a requirement for the C&U regs, it's
not how ever part of the MOT check.
..
Looks at 2CV on the drive ...

.... at the 1985 2CV on the drive ...

.... ... at the dashboard of the 1985 2CV on the drive.

Ian

On 12 Jun, 21:42, Roger wrote:

ISTR that the windscreen washer requirement came in circa 1970. At the
time I was running an old ex commercial 2A Land Rover with just one
wiper (which was apparently still legal) but it lacked a proper washer.
My first line of defence, had I ever been stopped, was that I had an
openable windscreen. My second that the ex washing up bottle I carried
was an excellent windscreen washer at least for the drivers side. I
never had to put it to the test so I don't know if I would have got away
with it.

Pal of mine had an old Landrover which failed its MOT because the
windscreen wiper wasn't working. "Hang on mo, " he said, removing it
entirely. "Retest please." The tester almost had apoplexy, but had to
pass him.

Ian