Trystan Casey
Tow bars and their associated electrics are part of the MOT test. The test applies to any type of towbar fitted to the rear of any vehicle in Classes 3, 4, 5, and 7. The tester will check the main tow bar structure and the neck recess, but not the neck itself. If you have 7-pin tow bar wiring, the tester does not need to test the electrical connections, but they will check that the wiring and cable are safe. If you have 13-pin tow bar wiring, the electrical connections will be tested. The electrical wiring and socket are not part of the test, and if there is an obvious fault, the tester will advise the vehicle presenter.
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What You'll Learn
- Tow bar electrical connections are tested if 13-pin wiring is present
- If 7-pin wiring, connections aren't tested, but wiring safety is checked
- A bulb failure warning is legally required and will be tested
- Tow bar structure and neck recess are checked for issues like rust or cracks
- Tow ball covers will be removed to inspect the tow ball
Tow bar electrical connections are tested if 13-pin wiring is present
The safety of your vehicle is paramount, and tow bars are considered an essential safety feature. As such, they are included in the MOT test. The tester will check the main tow bar structure and neck recess, but not the neck itself if it is not fitted to the vehicle at the time of the test.
If you have a 7-pin tow bar wiring setup, the tester does not need to test the electrical connections. They will, however, check that the wiring and cable are in a safe condition.
On the other hand, if you have a 13-pin tow bar wiring setup, the electrical connections will be tested in addition to checking the wiring for safety. If there are issues with the electrical connections, the vehicle will likely fail its MOT.
It is also a legal requirement to have a bulb failure warning, which can be either an on-dash or an audible warning. This is to ensure that you are alerted to any lighting issues while driving.
Other things to be aware of during the MOT test include the inspection of coupling mechanisms, which may require the removal of tow ball covers and the lifting of loose-fitting mats or carpets inside the luggage compartment. Retractable tow bars will be checked in their 'in-use' position, but only if this can be done without tools.
Wear and tear on the tow bar components will also be assessed. For example, pins, jaws, or hooks with more than a 25% reduction in metal thickness will be considered excessively worn and will need to be replaced.
It is always good practice to resolve any issues with your tow bar before taking your vehicle for its MOT test. This can help you avoid retest fees and ensure your vehicle remains road legal.
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If 7-pin wiring, connections aren't tested, but wiring safety is checked
The safety of your vehicle is paramount, and regular MOT tests are an essential part of ensuring your car is roadworthy. One critical aspect of vehicle safety is the tow bar and its electrics. While tow bars are not standard on all vehicles, they are a crucial component for those who need to tow trailers, caravans, or other objects.
When it comes to the MOT test, the tester will inspect the tow bar to ensure it is secure and properly fitted. This includes checking for excessive rust or damage that could compromise the integrity of the tow bar. The tester will also verify that the tow bar does not obstruct the view of any central rear fog light or the number plate.
Now, regarding the 7-pin wiring specifically, the MOT tester will not test the electrical connections if you only have this type of wiring. However, they will still inspect the wiring to ensure it is in a safe condition and that the cable itself is safe. This inspection for safety is a critical step to ensure that basic lighting functions are operational. These basic lighting functions include fog lights, turn signals, reverse lights, and brake lights. It is important to note that 7-pin wiring is less common nowadays, as it only supplies basic lighting, and newer trailers often require more advanced electrical functions.
While the electrical connections themselves are not tested for 7-pin wiring, it is still highly recommended to have all your tow bar electrics functioning correctly before the MOT test. This includes checking the lights and ensuring that the visible or audible light failure warning is operational. By taking these proactive measures, you can increase the likelihood of your vehicle passing the MOT test and avoid potential retest fees.
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A bulb failure warning is legally required and will be tested
The MOT tester will check that the tow bar itself is secure and that all connections are working as they should be. They will also check that the bulb failure warning is functioning, either as an on-dash warning light or an audible warning. This is a critical safety feature, as it alerts the driver to a blown bulb, which could affect the vehicle's lights, taillights, or brake lights, leading to potential safety hazards.
It is important to note that if you have a 7-pin tow bar wiring, the tester does not need to test the electrical connections. They will, however, check that the wiring and cable are in a safe condition. On the other hand, if you have 13-pin tow bar wiring, the electrical connections will be tested in addition to checking the wiring's safety.
The MOT tester will also inspect the tow bar for any excessive rust, cracks, or incorrect fittings, which could pose a danger and result in MOT failure. This includes checking the tow bar structure, neck, and mounting bolts for any signs of excessive rust or looseness. Ensuring the tow bar is safe and secure is crucial, as it is a safety-critical part of the vehicle.
In summary, a bulb failure warning is legally required and will be tested during an MOT to ensure the vehicle's safety and compliance with legislation. This is just one aspect of the MOT test related to tow bars and their associated electrics, which are considered safety-critical components.
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Tow bar structure and neck recess are checked for issues like rust or cracks
As part of the MOT test, the tester will check the main tow bar structure and the neck recess for issues like rust or cracks. This is because a tow bar is a safety-critical part of a vehicle. It needs to be safe, secure, and fitted properly.
The tow bar is now part of section 6 of the MOT Testing Manual – 'Body, Structure and Attachments'. All types of coupling mechanisms and towbars fitted to the rear of a vehicle will be checked. This includes fifth-wheel couplings and retractable towbars, which will be checked in their 'in-use' position. If a tow bar is not fitted to the vehicle at the time of the test, then it will not be tested. However, if the attachment brackets are still in place, they will be assessed.
The tester will also check for wear in a pin, jaw, or hook. This will be regarded as excessive if the thickness of the metal at any point is reduced by more than 25% of the original thickness. Pin locating holes will be rejected if they are worn or elongated by more than 25% of their original diameter. These criteria also apply to pins and brackets for any height adjustment or swivel devices.
If you have 7-pin tow bar wiring, the tester does not need to test the electrical connections. They will still check that the wiring and cable are safe. If you have 13-pin tow bar wiring, the electrical connections will be tested. If there are issues with the electrical connections, the vehicle will likely fail the MOT test. It is a legal requirement to have a bulb failure warning, which can be either an on-dash or audible warning.
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Tow ball covers will be removed to inspect the tow ball
During an MOT test, tow ball covers will be removed to inspect the tow ball. This is done to ensure the safety and proper functioning of the tow bar, which is a critical part of a vehicle. The inspection will include checking for any excessive rust or cracks in the tow bar structure, as well as verifying that the mounting bolts are tight, secure, and of the correct type.
If the tow ball is detachable, unbolted, or removed, the attachment brackets will still be assessed unless they are deliberately made unfit for use. It is important to note that there may be some movement or "play" in detachable tow balls, with up to 3mm of movement measured at the ball end. This is considered acceptable during the inspection.
To prepare for an MOT test, it is recommended to address any issues with the tow bar beforehand. This includes checking for rust and ensuring proper maintenance. Some people choose to use tow ball covers to protect the tow ball from the elements, which can be purchased from various retailers or even handmade. However, it is important to regularly inspect and clean the tow ball, as rust can still form even with a cover in place.
In addition to the physical inspection of the tow ball, the electrics of the tow bar will also be tested during the MOT. This includes testing the electrical connections for 13-pin tow bar wiring and checking that the bulb failure warning is functional, either through an on-dash or audible warning. For 7-pin tow bar wiring, the tester will check that the wiring and cable are in a safe condition.
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Frequently asked questions
The tow bar is now part of section 6 of the MOT Testing Manual, which covers the 'Body, Structure and Attachments'. All types of coupling mechanisms and towbars fitted to the rear of a vehicle will be checked. This includes fifth-wheel couplings and retractable towbars, which will be checked in their 'in-use' position. The electrical wiring and socket are not part of the test, however, the tester will check that the wiring is in a safe condition and that the cable is safe.
A common reason for failure is excessive rust around the tow bar mounts, structure, neck, or mounting bolts. The tow bar will also fail the test if the mounting bolts are not tight or are the incorrect type. If the tow bar neck is cracked, incorrectly fitted, or interferes with the view of any central rear fog light or the number plate, the vehicle will also fail its MOT.
If you have 7-pin tow bar wiring, the electrical connections will not be tested, but the tester will check that the wiring and cable are safe. If you have 13-pin tow bar wiring, the electrical connections will be tested. A bulb failure warning is also a legal requirement and part of the MOT test. This can be either an on-dash or audible warning.
