Mot query... Requirements for 1951/52

[quackshot]

I've used the search button and Google but can't seem to find any straight info.

I'm trying to find out what were the mot requirements for vehicles from 1951/52

I know that window wipers, seat belts, latching seats were not part of the mot, but what else? Turn signals?

Was it entirely manufacturer dependent?

[v8ian]

The reason the Requirements for a 1951/52 as there were No requirements..... the MOT was not introduced until 1960, What do you want to know??? there are certain things that cars were required to have. and there are certain things that its sensible to have

[quackshot]

I want to know if a brake light was part of the test? I "think" on my car the brake light was in the centre of the decklid in the numberplate light. Did it even have a number plate light? IS that another requirement for that age of vehicle?

It's a VW Beetle btw.

I'm now questioning all this as finding period parts are like getting 5 numbers on the lotto... and even then it's old curse word and pretty useless. I'm looking at alternatives I can use, however I want to know what is actually required in the eyes of the law.

*I'd just like to add i'm not trying to get away with dodgy stuff like having no lights. The car has been completely modernised with actual real seats, suspension, brakes etc. Externally I want the car looking as stock as possible. The issue I'm really going to have is finding a way around the semaphores... which it doesnt have anymore.
So hence the original question, were turn signals a requirement for that period? If so can I have some small LEDs fitted into the bumpers OR do they need to be seen from the side as well front/back ie in the form of side repeaters.

aaaaaaaand breathe.

[v8ian]

I would think technically, If its a UK car, what the car was supplied with is what you require, Red rear indicators are ok but they have to cancel the stop and tail light on that side if you are using the same lens, white front indicators are OK, but have to cancel the sidelight if using the same lens, There are wiring diagrams for this is somewhere on this site, or find a lucas DB8 ? relay, as fitted to 50s Morris Minors,

[Dez]

it has to have indicators if its a full mot- i.e. not just a daytime one. pre-65 the rears can be red and the fronts clear.

one rear brakelight is acceptable, as long as its central.

again if its a full mot it needs a no. plate light.

arent you running heart taillights? easiest way to do the rear lights is to put a bit of ally sheet as a divider inside to separate the main lens from the heart one, then use a twin filament bulb in the mail lens as a stop/tail, and have a separate single filament bulb in the heart lens as the indicator.

if you then get the correct pre 53 rivetted number plate light/brakelight, you can set it up as a third brakelight.

[quackshot]

Dez, I came to the conclusion that running later style lights is pointless and I may as well use some mini led lights... Maybe for a motorbike or kit car.

Deffo not going to run hearts.

Ideally I want something small, nondescript with turn/stop/tail lights all in one.

Number plate lights can always be those little light up bolt on thingies.

The car would only of had semaphores so in theory some custom made 'teddy ear' style things could be made to fit into the semaphore slot.

[fredtransit]

Isnt 52 MOT exempt? By all means make sure its roadworthy and safe, but don't bother with the test.

[Dez]

Ah, I you're going not-stock, I'd just grab some bike led indicators and hide them in the lower corners of the rear vents. Little drop down panel that fits from underneath, dust them over with satin black and you won't see em til they need to be seen.

[v8ian]

semaphores. somewhere I have seen ultra bright festoon leds. ill look when I get home

[quackshot]

Oct 16, 2014 11:42:58 GMT v8ian said:

semaphores. somewhere I have seen ultra bright festoon leds. ill look when I get home

[v8ian]

www.dynamoregulatorconversions.com/

[Deleted]

Oct 16, 2014 10:25:23 GMT fredtransit said:

Isnt 52 MOT exempt? By all means make sure its roadworthy and safe, but don't bother with the test.

Because some insurers insist it is tested and it also shows that you have taking due care in ensuring the car is roadworthy.

As for indicators, Copied direct from the MOT testers manual.....

Direction indicators and hazard warning lamps are not required to be fitted to vehicles used only during the hours of daylight, which are fitted with neither front nor rear position lamps, etc. (See 1.1.A) Nor are they required on vehicles first used before 1 January 1936. However, if they are fitted, they must be tested.

Vehicles first used before 1 September 1965 may have direction indicators incorporated with stop lamps, or combined with side or rear lamps, in which case front indicators may be white and rear indicators red.


Brake lights.......
Vehicles first used before 1 January 1936 are not required to be fitted with a stop lamp.
Stop lamps are not required to be fitted to vehicles used only during the hours of daylight, which are fitted with neither front nor rear position lamps, etc. (See 1.1.A).
Vehicles first used before 1 January 1971 must be fitted with one stop lamp either on or to the offside of the vehicle centre line. If such a vehicle has two lamps fitted, it should be treated as a vehicle first used on or after 1 January 1971.

On vehicles first used before 1 September 1965 it is acceptable for a stop lamp to be incorporated with a direction indicator lamp.


Number plate illumination......

This inspection applies to all vehicles fitted with front and rear position lamps.
Registration plate lamps are required to illuminate the rear registration plate.
Some vehicles may have these lamps fitted behind the number plate.

hope that was of some help.

[quackshot]

There isnt really much on offer from that website sadly... maybe I'll got for something like this-but it lacks turn signals unless I modify it.

[mk2cossie]

if you have rear lights on it anyway, I pressume they have side light and brake light functionality?
If so, the rear indicators can be incoporated in to those lamps. As said above, with a Lucas relay as fitted to Minors and other old British cars
For the fronts, if the sidelights are seperate to the headlamp, see if you can get a 21/5w bulb fitting for that and that is acceptable to use for side light on the 5w circuit and the indicator flashes the 21w circuit

[quackshot]

I don't have ANY lights at present.

[mk2cossie]

If there are no lights at all on it at the mo, and that's the way you intend to keep it then it can have a daytime use only MOT test.
But if you do that, you can only use it when it's not reduced visibility basically
(raining, foggy or night time, so pretty much all the time in good ole Blighty )

[quackshot]

Of course I plan to add lights but I am trying to find out what is needed by law.... being that it never had front or rear signals from factory. Just a flip out semaphore on the side.