Tow bars and towing rules

[grumpybadger]

I'm about a million years behind the current tow bar and towing regs and the dvla website seems pretty vague on older stuff, so for those in the know;

What are the rules around older home made brackets?

For example if I buy an 80s granada or similar with a towbar on it, am I expected to have it inspected or certified as genuine or even safe?

Do all trailers have to be certified/tested these days?

I'm not looking to circumvent any laws or start a bun fight.



Not my car, or trailer

[xbl]

No test required for a car trailer and the towbar is part of the MOT so should show up any issues.

[kevins]

Cars after august 1998 are supposed to have a type approved tow bar, after 1982 trailers are supposed to have the gross weight marked on them and after 1997 a manufacturers plate.

Modern cars have the Gross Train mass on a plate in the door shut, for older ones there seem to be loads of different methods of calculating the trailer mass but I've never seen a definitive legal requirement.

[Rich]

Feb 13, 2023 19:31:23 GMT xbl said:

No test required for a car trailer and the towbar is part of the MOT so should show up any issues.

Corrosion to the towbar and mounts are what is generally tested, it doesn’t and won’t prove a towbar is safe.