-
Posts
-
Good to see the draft regulations have been published well in advance of the start of the season, but I have a few questions about some of the changes from the 2017 regulations to the draft 2018 regulations that have just been published.
Something that’s been raised a few times is the issue of exterior trim such as wheel arch linings and engine bay sound deadening and whether it must remain fitted. This hasn’t been addressed, so does that mean it now needs re-fitting?
Why is it now mandatory to have the ABS working at all times?
Why is it also now mandatory to convert the reversing light to a rain light, rather than being permissible to fit a proper FIA rain light? This is going to cause problems when it comes to MOT time.
I don’t understand? Surely a red (rather than white) reversing light is going to result in an MOT failure?
That aside, what benefit is there in preventing those who want to fit an FIA rain light to make the car more visible from doing so?
The reversing light is not part of the MOT.
An additional rain light is not permitted. The car in the specified format is fully compliant to MSA requirements with the simple and low cost modifications that are approved.
ABS – we have seen too many instances during 2017 of damage to cars which would more likely have been avoided had the ABS not been disabled.I wasn’t aware that the reversing light is not an MOT requirement, thanks for pointing that out. Still can’t see why an additional rain light is now prohibited though?
I was planning to fit an FIA rain light to make my car more visible in wet races and because it’s also useful to have a properly working reverse light, especially if driving on the public road.ABS – my feelings are that in a basic low powered race car, ABS should be prohibited to put the emphasis as much as possible on driver skill, but I can understand the desire to reduce incidents.
Is it the intention that we do now need to keep the wheel arch linings etc then?
I would also like to say though that I’m pleased to see the sensible changes in the draft regs regarding bonnet pins, door cards and the exhaust mod. Thanks for the replies.
Wheel arch linings – this slipped through the net – well spotted.
It will be recommended that they are fitted but removal will be allowed.As I pointed out on faceache,it will be a requirement from April 2018 apparently.
Everyone seemed so see this as a poke for a dispute about the regs and no solution was forthcoming.
I was bringing it to attention so a solution could be sorted as if the wiring is altered as per regs it makes it difficult come MOT time.
So, trying here! Any official solution forthcoming??!!
Many thankingtons in advance.Hi Jon,
Can you post a link to the official documentation that describes the change to the current MOT Inspection Manual as I can’t find anything on the gov.uk site? There are various exemptions for modified cars and we need to see the new rules before we can decide how to proceed.EU directive 2014/45/EU is to be implemented in 2018, which requires vehicles to have functioning reversing lamps.
Hi John,
Thanks for the link. The principle document (2014/45/EU Periodic Technical Inspection) is a statement of intent – not binding UK legislation. It doesn’t look like the implementation is due until 2023. There are no updates to the MOT Inspection Manual and there’s a lot of training and other stuff that will be going on between 2018 and 2023 before they can implement these EU changes. By then we’ll be out of the EU and this stuff may never get implemented. I don’t think there is anything to worry about and our regulations stand until the UK legislation changes actually take place.Here’s another link from less than a week ago about the MOT changes for HGVs resulting from the EU directive that come into effect in May 2018:
Although not UK legislation at the moment it is a requirement that EU directives be incorporated into member states law, so I think it’s safe to assume that the changes will include the additional test requirements for cars at the same time.
Surely it would be prudent to allow for having a properly working reversing light and separate rain light in the 2018 regs should it become necessary for the MOT? Rather than having to issue an amendment mid season.
I am not an MOT tester, nor do I have access to any of the VOSA bulletins or whatever such person would probably have. It was however mentioned to be BY an MOT tester, hence bringing it to attention so that maybe it could be considered in the regs while they are draft rather than ratified by the MSA. I believe its called trying to assist, or in English metric terms, help….
I am however curious to know as to why the reg was changed?! Seeing as someone also had a rant about there being no issue with the regs for the past 20 cars or so after I brought this up and the potential issue of drivers getting locked in cars in an accident, why was this random reg implimented? I’m not picking holes, I am honestly curious! Especially as there were no issue with the previous cars…it just seems extremely random!
As John stated ‘Surely it would be prudent to allow for having a properly working reversing light and separate rain light in the 2018 regs should it become necessary for the MOT? Rather than having to issue an amendment mid season.’
Wasn’t this basically how it was before with the ‘no issue’ regs? Curious…!Nothing has changed, the rule on Red Warning lights has been clarified, that’s all.
An additional “Rain Light” was never permitted, it would have to be written into the rules to allow it, and it wasn’t. The car wiring would also have to be modified to make it work, wiring modifications that are not specified are not permitted. Nothing is permitted unless it is specifically in the rules to allow a change from standard.
The rain light specification in our rules is fully compliant with current MSA and MOT requirements. If and when either of these change and materially affect our regulations we will address any issues that arise.
IF an additional rain light is ever required you will be left in no doubt as to which one it will be and where and how it will be mounted.I was under the impression from what others have said on here and faceache that some cars have run additional properl rain lights as the single fog light would be far too far off centre to comply with MSA.
Anyone on here run one previously? If so and the reg hasn’t changed then it should have failed tech on eligibility no?‘IF an additional rain light is ever required you will be left in no doubt as to which one it will be and where and how it will be mounted.’
A brief look shows it to be a £20 quid and 20 minute job. If you need any input on this, give me a shout. Its not rocket surgery and you don’t even need to drill any holes!I will wait until after April then to ticket our build and look forward to the approved solution which requires both a reversing light for MOT and two rain lights as per regs, as swapping bulbs and wiring at the time of MOT then changing back will mean the car is no longer MOT compliant, which I thought it had to be to race in the series. It also will eliminate ballache of doing it one way then potentially having to rework…I am almost praying VOSA don’t implement it but have been told reliably otherwise..
Also, I haven’t looked but on some other types of cars, the fogs go out if the engine stops and don’t re-alight when started again to stop people leaving them on. Does this happen on a C1? Just thinking if somebody spins and stalls in bad visibility, they will have to remember to turn their rain light on again….just curious.Sorry to resurrect an old thread, but as the reversing light is now definitely an MoT requirement (for 09/09 vehicles onwards) will this change in the regulations?
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/mot-changes-20-may-2018
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.