MOT test centres have to make a significant investment, financially and time wise to become and stay MOT testing. Given that a reflector is a legal requirement and therefore an MOT failure I don't feel its at all unreasonable to fail a vehicle if it doesn't have one? Hardly rocket science fitting a reflector on is it?
In view of the fact that VOSA often do spot checks and retests and wih the powers they now have to stop and inspect and seize vehicles I think any tester turning a blind eye to missing or illegal items is taking a huge risk.
That reflector could save your life by making a car driver aware of your presence and having come very close to hitting cyclists whom I would not have seen without the relectors fitted I think a Darwin Award could easily be earned by anyone who thinks it clever to ride without one
WHO? takes a vehicle in for test without checking the obvious. You can be forgiven if the tester finds an obscure fault, It just shows a lack of basic knowledge of the rules and regulations
Remember it all goes down on a data base, next time someone is complaining about a new bit of legislation, you can thank all of those persons who failed to check the obvious for helping give the legislators ammunition to bring in the new rules
And that is without the safety implications of running a vehicle that is in some way faulty
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Riding with enthusiasm upon the ragged precipice of disaster
... I hear what ya saying BUT...... isn't a number plate reflective and much bigger than a reflector?! Or are we talking about bikes that don't have them?!! ;o)
... I hear what ya saying BUT...... isn't a number plate reflective and much bigger than a reflector?! Or are we talking about bikes that don't have them?!! ;o)
A number plate is reflective but only effective in one specific direction, a reflector is effective from many angles and directions. Up until the late 80's approved refectors were built into all rear light lenses or clusters. it seems however that from then on the rules changed and you have to make sure what you have or have not got
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Riding with enthusiasm upon the ragged precipice of disaster
If your rear light isn't working I understand the reflector, esp on a bicycle, but on a motorcycle??? Sticking to my guns!
I think you answered your own question there Harty, if the light is not functioning then the reflector is a failsafe should the lights not work. Like Pete said, it could save you life!
Its not unusual for a rear light to fail, especially bulb type, but that little red reflector will still be there doing its job should you be trundling along down a dark lane, rain lashing down blissfully unaware your rear light was no longer working.
As a car MOT tester I do understand why people get pissy about some things, like I have never seen anyone killed by a CO emission, or indeed by a incorrectly spaced number plate. Nevertheless these are legal and MOT requirements and we as testers are bound by those laws and regulations.
Flouting the regulations will get me/us struck off from MOT testing, we are only allowed 500 points and the tester and station losses the right to test. The reality is that passing a motorcycle without a reflector might give us some points. However if the ministry judged that the tester and/or station habitually passed defective vehicles they would simply shut them down from testing, such is the power of Vosa.
Not wishing to get into an arguement, just clarifying what an MOT tester is up against in his or hers day to day testing, and the reality of facing the axe should they get it wrong or acted improperly.
Just to add, a reflector has to be just that a reflector, reflective tape, patches or indeed number plates are not acceptable. There are legal requirements for the size and placement but the MOT test does not stipulate this so any red reflector will do.
-- Edited by FBF on Monday 18th of July 2011 11:18:16 AM
I confess, didn't have a reflector (just didn't realise it had come off) and fitted one after almost getting rear ended on a back road near east hill strips on the KTM when my taillight lamp blew - I have also replaced the taillight with an LED one (that will now start another debate as thats not 'legal' either)......
Indicators I have a different view on.......seen more accidents caused by them than prevented by them ......
I was told that you need a reflector even for a day time MOT? I suppose the thinking is that it could still be parked at the side of the road even though your not allowed to ride it.
Ok, i'll fuel the fire.............. The MOT test is a farce, it only shows that the vehicle or motorcycle complied with the regulations AT THE TIME OF THE TEST, take it away change tyres,lights,number plates and what VOSA examiner will be able to say that it was or was not in that condition even an hour after the test ?
Oh and a daytime only MOT for a car,it does not exist, can you have your car tested with no lights ? no you can't ! (there is no such thing for a motorcycle either it should just read 'no lights fitted at time of test'.
Further more some construction and use regulations are not incorporated into the test and if you take any vehicle in for inspection that is more than 6 years old 6 months after the test it will more than likely fail on something.
I realise that most garages would not survive without the annual test (servicing intervals have increased and components are more reliable etc) and i am sure over the last few years that the work involved to pass the test has decreased. Welding has become a thing of the past,it shows my age but i can remeber fitting 'cover' sills on vehicles which were especially made for certain vehicles known to fail the test on rust.
If VOSA are so demanding in my view they should have their own testing stations and vehicles should be tested by their own authorised examiners,one testers view will always differ from anothers particulary on motorcycles.
Ok i've lit the blue touch paper, now i'll stand back!
Btw you don't have to have lights on a car for an mot test, and VOSA authorise all their stations and testers to test on their behalf so who runs the stations will change nothing.
I'm just going outside to hang myself as I now realise the last 20 years testing cars has been a farce......
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