Seat Belt - Will this fail the MOT?

[Rusty Wishbone]

Part of the plastic around the buckle of my seatbelt has broken off. I shall replace the seatbelt anyway before long. However, I have a few other jobs to do first in readiness for an MOT. Does anyone know if the seat belt will fail the MOT? My gut feeling is that it will fail.

[epipete]

I would have thought so, as if you were the examiner would you take the risk if an event coming back to haunt you! But the application of some skilled and the judicious use of some super glue might by you time!

That said, you need to be satisfied of its safety foremost!

[epipete]

Oh, it occurs to me that I might have one of these in the garage, I'll take a look later if you want.

[dapinky]

If the plastic is weak enough to break, it isn't a safety issue on the strength of the unit.

That said, if it relies on the position of the plastic to operate the release mechanism, it will fail (ie, does the broken bit hold anything else in its correct place to work).

That said, i would be tempted to raid the wifes make-up draw and borrow her fingernail extension glue..... (basically like normal superglue, but designed for acrylic plastic), and just stick it back - carefully - so it all works and looks as good as new. (not too much glue - you don't want to gum up the working bits)

[Rusty Wishbone]

I am reluctant to glue it back on because it will then be out-of-mind, and action to replace it might slip.

Safety is my main concern. I have no hesitation in spending money to replace it. My limitation is time.

[dapinky]

Rusty,

Good points, and perhaps I may have come across as flippant or even a bit of a 'cowboy' in my approach and answer

Firstly, I would NEVER advocate, encourage or suggest anything which (IMHO) would/could compromise the safety of yourself or anyone else, and my suggestion was designed as a temporary repair until you can aquire the correct parts.

Obviously, fitting a 'new' unit is the best choice.

In the (temporary) absence of that option, then a repair can be made, but only if it is suitable for the job.

The actual metal 'working' bits of the seat-belt holder are very simple (not like the modern 'pull-back' SIR systems), but rely on metal bits sliding corectly against each other until the click into place - all contained in the plastic housing.

If the housing is cracked, or even broken (like yours), then the metal parts will still interact, but be 'less firm' in their movement - it WONT AFFECT THEIR ABILITY TO LOCK TOGETHER.

However, if there is a crack on the oposite side as well (which we cant see), then there is a small chance that the 2 halves of the metal 'clip' will spring apart during movement, leading to an inability to spring together again - this is not an 'in use' failure issue, but an 'i cant do it up' issue

My suggestion of glueing the housing (with a suitable glue, NOT just standard superglue) was made with the assumption that all moving parts are still present, and in good order, and will remain so after the repair.

A glued repair will mean that the unit is far better than it would have been with a single crack in it before the bit broke off!

It was certainly not intended to suggest that we were trying to hide a safety-critical issue from the MOT tester (like when i found a 'repair' panel on my rear wishbone which was made with fibreglass and body filler put round the edges to look like it was welded steel - then painted - it must have taken someone far longer than to have done it properly, and some Ba$tard could have killed me/my wife/kids/anyone else if i hadent bothered to check them properly the week i bought the car - unsurprisingly, they were instantly removed, temporarily welded/repaired (to well-above MOT standard), and replaced with new asap)

[Rusty Wishbone]

Good points, and perhaps I may have come across as flippant or even a bit of a 'cowboy' in my approach and answer

You didn't come across as flippant in any way. You came across as a practical problem solver. I thank you and others for constructive suggestions, even if I don't want to follow them.

[Andy_J]

I had a landrover discovery a few years ago and 2 of the rear seatbelt covers were missing, went through 3 MOT's in that condition whilst in my ownership. Your Elan shouldn't fail an MOT with the seatbelt cover missing unless it affects the operation of the mechanism.

[epipete]

Found it! It's off the drivers side I'd reckon.

The good points - it's intact, and free (other than the postage! ) oh, and the 21 yr old grime will match.

The bad points - the cable has been cut which connects it to the seat belt warning light, will need to be either opened up and replaced or a couple of bullet extensions applied. Or if for the passenger side then no action whatsoever.

Or you could just dismantle the cover and replace your broken one!

Pete

[lotusnut]

Providing that the belt locks into the buckle and releases when the button is pressed, it should pass with an advise. I would certainly pass and advise it. The plastic cover is only classed as trim and not part of the workings.