Tinted front windows

phaetonott MOT tester Posts: 1,611 Class tested: 4 Last Online: Nov 6, 2020 17:49:52 GMT 1 Likes: 399	Tinted front windows Feb 5, 2013 21:55:24 GMT 1 Back to Top Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by phaetonott on Feb 5, 2013 21:55:24 GMT 1 Horribly dark windows, very nasty driving into the shade of the garage from bright sunlight. However, at least none of my fellow members of the (real) Mini owners club could see me driving a "German Leyland"
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drivewasher MOT tester Posts: 207 Last Online: Jan 29, 2017 23:27:47 GMT 1 Likes: 30	Tinted front windows Feb 5, 2013 23:24:02 GMT 1 Back to Top Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by drivewasher on Feb 5, 2013 23:24:02 GMT 1 Yeh! You need a crystal ball to adjust the headlamp aim
	I'm always in the sh1t, only the depth that varies!

nitros44 MOT tester Posts: 3,805 Class tested: 4, 7 Last Online: Mar 6, 2013 1:09:15 GMT 1 Likes: 1,970	Tinted front windows Feb 6, 2013 14:32:58 GMT 1 Back to Top Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by nitros44 on Feb 6, 2013 14:32:58 GMT 1 They have started putting the headlamp units back onto the body,instead of the bonnett
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David Administrator Owner\Director, AE\NT\SM, DVSA VTS Council Member, Registered Member & Administrator of The MOT Testers & AE's Forum If the facts don't fit the theory, change the facts. Albert Einstein Posts: 6,711 Class tested: 4 Last Online: Apr 25, 2024 13:23:54 GMT 1 Likes: 963	Tinted front windows Feb 6, 2013 14:37:02 GMT 1 Back to Top Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by David on Feb 6, 2013 14:37:02 GMT 1 They have, I wonder who the bright spark was that came up with the original design??
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aylesburyjock
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Tinted front windows Feb 6, 2013 18:07:08 GMT 1

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Post by aylesburyjock on Feb 6, 2013 18:07:08 GMT 1

Whoever it was wants shooting. Because it's pretty much trial and error, the boss will see the bonnet going up and down and up and down, so I can't let the customer have a quick adjustment for free, so that is gonna cost about £18 plus vat, which in my view is mugging him.
The regular VE before the one we have now told me with the tinted front windows, although it is not an MOT issue, always advise since it is illegal. I always do, using the same type of wording as is now in the 'non component' list for the windscreens.

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Tinted front windows Feb 6, 2013 19:12:43 GMT 1

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Post by baz657 on Feb 6, 2013 19:12:43 GMT 1

I tend to do a manual advise using the words "heavily tinted" if the windscreen, rear window or either of the front side windows are darkened. The rear side windows can be as dark as they want as far as I'm concerned. Those totally opaque windscreen sun strips that come down to the top part of the swept area also get an advise - especially if the wiper blades appear to be a couple of inches shorter than normal which would also get a mention.

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nitros44
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Tinted front windows Feb 6, 2013 22:37:00 GMT 1 David likes this

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Post by nitros44 on Feb 6, 2013 22:37:00 GMT 1

It's not that tinted windows are illegal jock but the amount of "tint" the window contains.
They are many cars coming off the production line with tinted windows or should I say privacy glass which are not illegal.
What does not help is the people who go over the top with excessive amounts of tint which makes you wonder what they get up to in these vehicles wink wink you know what I mean its just a shame it was not invented in my boy racer days,what I got up to then I would have to have side windows,back screen,front screen and the glass sunroof tinted,wink wink know what I mean

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aylesburyjock
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Tinted front windows Feb 6, 2013 22:56:51 GMT 1

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Post by aylesburyjock on Feb 6, 2013 22:56:51 GMT 1

Yes, I know they must pass at least 70% of light through and although we have no way of measuring this, I'm sure most of us have a general idea of what makes an 'illegal tint'.
Anything which appears darker than a standard tinted windscreen is pretty much guaranteed to be needing an advise. If it's very dark, it will also be ticked as dangerous to drive. That's how I work it.

drivewasher
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Tinted front windows Feb 6, 2013 23:14:48 GMT 1 phaetonott likes this

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Post by drivewasher on Feb 6, 2013 23:14:48 GMT 1

Feb 6, 2013 22:37:00 GMT 1 nitros44 said:

It's not that tinted windows are illegal jock but the amount of "tint" the window contains.
They are many cars coming off the production line with tinted windows or should I say privacy glass which are not illegal.
What does not help is the people who go over the top with excessive amounts of tint which makes you wonder what they get up to in these vehicles wink wink you know what I mean its just a shame it was not invented in my boy racer days,what I got up to then I would have to have side windows,back screen,front screen and the glass sunroof tinted,wink wink know what I mean

Alergy to sunlight then Nitros! (rofl)

I'm always in the sh1t, only the depth that varies!

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Tinted front windows Feb 6, 2013 23:58:07 GMT 1

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Post by David on Feb 6, 2013 23:58:07 GMT 1

Feb 6, 2013 23:14:48 GMT 1 drivewasher said:

Feb 6, 2013 22:37:00 GMT 1 nitros44 said:

It's not that tinted windows are illegal jock but the amount of "tint" the window contains.
They are many cars coming off the production line with tinted windows or should I say privacy glass which are not illegal.
What does not help is the people who go over the top with excessive amounts of tint which makes you wonder what they get up to in these vehicles wink wink you know what I mean its just a shame it was not invented in my boy racer days,what I got up to then I would have to have side windows,back screen,front screen and the glass sunroof tinted,wink wink know what I mean

Alergy to sunlight then Nitros! (rofl)

Actually it depends on the type of film, either Visible Light Transmittance (VLT) or Visible Light Reflectance (VLR).

When measured with a device the VLT must be 35% to be acceptable in the UK.

VLR reflects light to keep inside the vehicles cool, and if measured would show total block. They use different equipment to measure it too. It's legal and usually what the manufacturers fit from new which passes all import approval type tests.......
.....I prefer these

or dark

Last Edit: Feb 6, 2013 23:59:29 GMT 1 by David -

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stephentazz
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Can I really justify an engine management light fail with a signed emissions print out saying PASS

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Tinted front windows Sept 25, 2018 8:08:38 GMT 1

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Post by stephentazz on Sept 25, 2018 8:08:38 GMT 1

I passed a car on retest yesterday with tint film on the front windows. We'd gone through all the fails and advisories, but advised the customer that we would allow him to remove the film as it is actually illegal, even though I personally didn't think it was excessively dark...

Therefore why have we got the option to issue a Minor Defect, when it is illegal. We're giving customers a choice but it's rich pickings for Traffic Police and DVSA to stop and search, and impound the vehicle, as is having one number plate light not working.

Put simply, I'm not comfortable with that, even if they are dodgy people... So do I fail all regardless, is the fact that we had the discussion with the customer enough for it to be okay?

In the run up to Christmas, I see a rise in seven day wonders - who's still got their garage stamp?

Last Edit: Sept 25, 2018 8:10:20 GMT 1 by stephentazz -

aylesburyjock
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Tinted front windows Sept 25, 2018 17:36:05 GMT 1 lonewolf and karlbenz1 like this

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Post by aylesburyjock on Sept 25, 2018 17:36:05 GMT 1

'advised the customer that we would allow him to remove the film as it is actually illegal, even though I personally didn't think it was excessively dark...'

Well that's generous of you. Allowing him to remove or else what? That smacks of the same attitude as not allowing them to drive away with a fail. The laws on tinted windows have not changed, so people driving with them take their chances as they always did. We haven't suddenly become the window tint police. I know there is a bright shiny new bit in the test covering them, but let's face it we still can't measure the strength of the tint so I would say if you can use the mirrors it's pass and advise. I have always been against them personally, but as part of the test it's no good if we can't actually measure.

stephentazz
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Can I really justify an engine management light fail with a signed emissions print out saying PASS

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Tinted front windows Sept 26, 2018 7:56:43 GMT 1

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Post by stephentazz on Sept 26, 2018 7:56:43 GMT 1

Sept 25, 2018 17:36:05 GMT 1 aylesburyjock said:

'advised the customer that we would allow him to remove the film as it is actually illegal, even though I personally didn't think it was excessively dark...'

Well that's generous of you. Allowing him to remove or else what? That smacks of the same attitude as not allowing them to drive away with a fail. The laws on tinted windows have not changed, so people driving with them take their chances as they always did. We haven't suddenly become the window tint police. I know there is a bright shiny new bit in the test covering them, but let's face it we still can't measure the strength of the tint so I would say if you can use the mirrors it's pass and advise. I have always been against them personally, but as part of the test it's no good if we can't actually measure.

That is exactly the point that I have highlighted...

We are being asked to differentiate between light and dark... And I tested by the book.

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Post by phaetonott on Feb 5, 2013 21:55:24 GMT 1

Post by drivewasher on Feb 5, 2013 23:24:02 GMT 1

Post by nitros44 on Feb 6, 2013 14:32:58 GMT 1

Post by David on Feb 6, 2013 14:37:02 GMT 1

Post by aylesburyjock on Feb 6, 2013 18:07:08 GMT 1

Post by baz657 on Feb 6, 2013 19:12:43 GMT 1

Post by nitros44 on Feb 6, 2013 22:37:00 GMT 1

Post by aylesburyjock on Feb 6, 2013 22:56:51 GMT 1

Post by drivewasher on Feb 6, 2013 23:14:48 GMT 1

Post by David on Feb 6, 2013 23:58:07 GMT 1

Post by stephentazz on Sept 25, 2018 8:08:38 GMT 1

Post by aylesburyjock on Sept 25, 2018 17:36:05 GMT 1

Post by stephentazz on Sept 26, 2018 7:56:43 GMT 1