decommissioning a rear seat belt

I think I'd be with VOSA on this one. I'd fail it on

.

If it was totally removed it wouldn't be testable.

Had the NT advised on the belt in any way?

hi all, thanks for the replies.

yes he did advise the missing tongue and not fail it because he thought it was decommissioned.

as for the points, VOSA said to him, you got +15 points for the rest of the test and -10 points for the belt, so the -10 points will cancel out your + 15 and nothing will show on your record but if you get any more points in the future the -10 points for the belt will be added to them.

Either all parts of the belt need to be removed, or the seat.

Gotta feel bad for the tester though, VOSA's version of the English language disagreeing with the dictionary

Thinking about it, the 15 points remaining on file isn't right. +10 -15 = -5 , still way behind the 30 limit. We've always been told that if there is ever a reason for points, a reinspection or whatever, less than 30 is not actioned upon and only an advisory is issued (either verbal or written).

Only points from previous formal warnings can be used in future cases.

The 15 negative points should already be history.

I think VOSAs VE might have been a bit hard on the NT if I am being honest, but is doing the job being paid to do. Reading through the manual I see what you are saying Pete regards decommissioning the belt by removal of the buckle, but technically that belt is not actually decommissioned for two reasons,

1 / The belt is still fitted and the seat is also still fitted, and

2 / It is always possible for a passenger to put the belt round their lap making it look like it is being worn if at any time the police pulled the vehicle over, (Like they commonly do with Nitros) although nothing to do with the MOT, but is still a legal requirement that passengers wear a seat belt, without a valid exemption certificate.

The information column says;

Where a belt is fitted with no corresponding seator if there is a buckle/stork but no corresponding belt, it is not to be considered a seat belt for the purposes of the inspection.

So in conclusion,

The belt fitted means that it is a belt for the purposes of the test, but if the belt is not fitted yet the buckle/stork is fitted, then that means its a pass and advise.

Now many moons ago I failed a lap belt for similar reasons and my AE rang his MOT Club who rang VOSA at Bristol and they were adament that I should have passed and advised the belt, which I failed back then , however it is also possible that the integrity of communication through so many people at the time that VOSAs Bristol Branch could have missinterpreted the information being given them

spoke to the NT today and he wants to appeal to loose his -10 points and get his +15 points put on record. does anybody know if there is a downloadable appeal form or does he need to call his local office.