GPS Speedo - Legalities

[roccoguy]

Dec 16, 2015 16:08:10 GMT Iain said:

Dec 15, 2015 16:57:18 GMT sarkie83 said:

Testing the operation of the speedo is not part of the MOT. It just has to look like its operational.

Legality of having a working speedo is a different matter :-)

If you're driving at 10mph on brake rollers and it's reading 0mph, then that to me would look NOT operational.

In my experience my tester is normally paying more attention to the screen giving him instructions and readings than the dash during the brake test

My cavalier hasn't got a working speedo but passed the mot without even a comment about it. It had been tested the year previously by the last owner at a totally different mot center too. I assume the speedo hasn't been hooked up since its engine conversion many years ago

[Deleted]

Dec 16, 2015 16:08:10 GMT Iain said:

Dec 15, 2015 16:57:18 GMT sarkie83 said:

Testing the operation of the speedo is not part of the MOT. It just has to look like its operational.

Legality of having a working speedo is a different matter :-)

If you're driving at 10mph on brake rollers and it's reading 0mph, then that to me would look NOT operational.

As Iain stated operation of the speedo IS NOT PART OF THE MOT so the tester can not fail it.

[andyborris]

I have a Speedhut GPS speedo fitted to my car, matching tacho too. It's passed 2 MOTs with it, good price, nice bit of kit and works well, only problem I've had was with the little box that provides power to the gauge illumination melted!

But Speedhut sent both a new box and also the better box that runs lots of dials too for no charge, lots of apologies and quickly too. Can't fault the customer care.

And in the days before SVA/IVA, I built a kit car that didn't have a speedo at all, passed 3 MOTs before I sold it (to Germany and I wonder where/how it is!). I always thought that a tacho could be used to work out the speed...

[scimjim]

Dec 17, 2015 2:39:15 GMT @1300dolly said:

Dec 16, 2015 16:08:10 GMT Iain said:

If you're driving at 10mph on brake rollers and it's reading 0mph, then that to me would look NOT operational.

As Iain stated operation of the speedo IS NOT PART OF THE MOT so the tester can not fail it.

One of my cars hasn't had an operating speedo since the MOT changed to include their inspection.

6.7

Reason for Rejection

1. Speedometer not fitted.
2. Speedometer incomplete, clearly inoperative or the dial glass broken or missing.
3. The speedometer cannot be illuminated.
.

[scimjim]

Dec 15, 2015 14:12:21 GMT robdhc said:

Dec 14, 2015 10:22:22 GMT composimmonite said:

Law states -

THE ROAD VEHICLES (CONSTRUCTION AND USE) REGULATIONS 1986 (SI 1986 No. 107

SPEEDOMETERS
These must be fitted to all motor vehicles registered from 1 October 1937.

Speedometers must be maintained in good working order at all "material times" ie when a vehicle is used on a journey unless:

(a) a defect occurs during a journey, or
(b) steps are taken to have the equipment repaired or replaced as soon as possible. (Regulation 36 and EC Directive 75/443)


A vehicle may be rejected at its annual test if the speedometer is not fitted, or is inoperative, is not illuminated, it has a missing or broken dial glass, etc.

The requirement to fit speedometers does not extend to vehicles fitted with EU approved recording equipment (see under "Tachographs" on page 235–239).

Under the law a GPS system, even if it gives an indication of speed, can't be regarded as fulfilling the legal requirements.

So to answer your question a GPS speedo isn't legal.

What about a tiny 52mm, legal, speedo in a pod under the dash to stay within the law whilst having the GPS item in front of you ?

I realise I am most likely being incredibly thick, but I can't see where it says that a GPS speedo is illegal?

Just because it's using GPS to show speed rather than cable / whatevermoderncarsusethesedays I don't see how it's no longer a speedo?

Thanks, Rob

[Deleted]

Lets make this simple...
The car has to be fitted with a speedo that looks like it works with a clearly visible display and no cracks in the glass and it has to be illuminated or back lit (when sidelights are on).
A satnav type device set to 'speed display' can not be used in place of a car speedo but a proper purpose made GPS speedo if fitted as a regular speedo would be will pass.
As part of the MOT the functionality of the speedo is not tested so if the needle doesn't move it will still pass.

[pistonpopper]

joem83 those gauges look superb... Why haven't you fitted them yet? I had a GPS Speedo fitted in my Twingo it was a really low budget digital thing that look like a bicycle Speedo that had been enlarged. It was designed for those little off road quad buggy things. Anyway on the face in big white letters it said "GPS" and underneath that in smaller letters it said "for off road use only" but it would still get through the MOT. Having said that though, I'm not sure what the Police would've said if they'd have pulled me over and seen it! But how often do you get pulled over? Like dollymixture above says As part of the MOT the functionality of the speedo is not tested so if the needle doesn't move it will still pass. Get it fitted

[joem83]

Haha, it will be much later in the year before I get one.
The car will be going in to storage in the next few weeks while we move house & then we have a 4-6 months of renovations to tackle. I suppose I really should get it running right first lol.