Is fitting a steering wheel without and airbag such as a momo an mot failure? Is it legal?

i dont think so, if its there it has to work, if not, as long as the light isnt on. someone correct me if im mistaken

airbag isn't part of the test. As long as the horn works you should be fine.

Mine went through an MOT with the light on last year

As long as the light isn't on it's ok

Depends on your opinions. Starting at the beginning of this year an "obviously missing or defective" airbag is a reason for failure. I've always interpreted this as the steering wheel airbag must be present (you can see it's missing just by looking, it doesn't get more obvious than that!) as cars have been coming with them for 20 years. For that reason, I bought an OEM wheel and airbag and put that on for the test. However others say, as above, that as long as the light isn't on you'll pass. If it were me, I'd at least keep your standard wheel, you won't get a lot for it second hand but if it turns out you do fail your MOT with an aftermarket wheel, it's about £500 to buy a new one from TPS in a hurry!

As for legality, the MOT only tests roadworthiness of your car at that particular time, it doesn't guarantee that it'll stay roadworthy for the next year. So as far as I'm concerned, as long as I have a valid MOT certificate, changing my steering wheel to a non-MOT compliant one isn't illegal. Similarly, I could break something on my way out of the test centre and carry on driving for a year with a car that would no longer pass.

Hi Folks

Was thinking about changing the wheel but what would insurance company say if u had a bump and they sent someone to look at car and found no airbag and you had not informed them

Just a thought

Regards Whoosh

I was thinking that too - you'd have to declare it as a modification I'd have thought to be sure.

Just checked at http://www.motuk.co.uk/manual_540.htm

Information

This inspection applies to airbags, seat belt pretensioners and seat belt load limiters fitted as original equipment.

Method of Inspection

1. As far as practicable, check that all airbags fitted as original equipment are present and not obviously defective.

2. Turn on the ignition and check the presence and operation of any Supplementary Restraint System (SRS) malfunction indictor lamp(s) (MIL)

3. Check the presence and condition of any seat belt load limiters and/or pretensioners fitted as original equipment.

Reason for rejection

1. An airbag obviously missing or defective.

Note: A passenger airbag that has been switched off is not a Reason for Rejection.

2. A Supplementary Restraint System (SRS) malfunction indicator lamp:

. inoperative

. indicating a system malfunction.

That suggests a replacement wheel obviously without an airbag would be an instant rejection as would a warning light being on.

Edited 30 June, 201214 yr by DRJ

Just swap wheels at mot time? The Momo comes with a resistor to plug into the airbag wiring so no warning light issues

so doe's anyone know how do you reset the airbag light once its come on?

Google

Points to VAG-COM

Hi Folks

Was thinking about changing the wheel but what would insurance company say if u had a bump and they sent someone to look at car and found no airbag and you had not informed them

Just a thought

Regards Whoosh

I was thinking that too - you'd have to declare it as a modification I'd have thought to be sure.

Yep, definitely mention it as a modification. And if your insurance company even hint at umming and ahhing about it, don't change it! Brentacre were fine with mine though.