Mot Requirements for early bay import from US (total newbie)

[boyzie]

Would like to firstly like to say Hi
Totally new to the VW scene but after going to the Bug Jam and the Volksworld show this year I've taken the plunge and decided to commit and import a single cab earlybay which I believe is being shipped as I write this post.
Just need some advice regarding the MOT requirements,so any sensible advice greatly appreciated :mrgreen:

 

[Graham L]

Hi & welcome

Very simple really its mainly to do with your lights.

Headlamps need to dip the other way (although not every MOT inspector checks this!!) and put the sidelamps into the headlamp bowl, easiest way to do this is to buy Golf M1 headlights or Beetle 1973 onwards

Rear Tail Lights will need to be changed (article in the stickies at the top of the technical forum)
Its easier if you've got reverse lights to swap these to indicators with orange bulbs as the red rear indicators will not pass an MOT.

There quite a few postings in the Technical Forum about this and I've had to do the same recently, its not terribly difficult just takes a little bit of fiddling.

If you need more info just ask

 

[panalvan]

When i was sorting out mine for the mot i asked my mot man he said all i needed to do was change the head lights as for the indicators being the front side lights if the van was made like it its ok to leave it that way this also goes for the rear lights flashing red for the indicators.
What you need is a mot person who is sensible and knows his job
Cheers

 

[ianscooby]

good luck with this, do make sure that before you get it registered that you get a copy of all the paperwork that came with the van as the dvla keep title paperwork etc. I had an initial issue as your trying to get mot without a number plate, they should do it on the chassis plate and insurance will give you a couple of weeks to inform them of the reg number as you you will need insurance when you register the van with the dvla.

 

[Graham L]

From memory you can run red rear lights up until 63/64 but after that they must be amber to pass an MOT in this country, some MOT testers turn a blind eye.

But I have to say its far safer running amber indicators on a LH drive bus on UK roads, when I ran the red rear ones and signalled to change lanes on the motorway hardly anyone took any notice, with amber ones they see them and either let you out or move over.

I definitely change them

 

[boyzie]

Hi & welcome

Very simple really its mainly to do with your lights.

Headlamps need to dip the other way (although not every MOT inspector checks this!!) and put the sidelamps into the headlamp bowl, easiest way to do this is to buy Golf M1 headlights or Beetle 1973 onwards

Rear Tail Lights will need to be changed (article in the stickies at the top of the technical forum)
Its easier if you've got reverse lights to swap these to indicators with orange bulbs as the red rear indicators will not pass an MOT.

There quite a few postings in the Technical Forum about this and I've had to do the same recently, its not terribly difficult just takes a little bit of fiddling.

If you need more info just ask

Thanks Graham for your info much appreciated :mrgreen:

 

[Tofufi]

From memory you can run red rear lights up until 63/64 but after that they must be amber to pass an MOT in this country, some MOT testers turn a blind eye.

Vehicles built before Sept 1st 1965

I only remember that as my bug was built on Sept 3rd 1965 :roll:

I'd run amber rear indicators anyway, like you say they are just a bit more easily seen / understood by people in the UK

 

[mcvw]

Hi,

Would a European bus fitted with factory reversing lights (and red rear lights) also require changes to the wiring? Or would it just be the case of replacing the rear-light lenses with the red/amber versions?

We'd like to keep the reversing lights - especially when you consider how drivers of modern cars ignore reversing cars anyway, let alone a 40 year bus with no reverse lights bearing down on them

WRT headlights, I know the actual lenses have to be changed, but any idea if the front sidelight situation would also apply to a Euro-spec bus?

Thanks,


Mike

 

[cyberdyne systems]

Hi,

Would a European bus fitted with factory reversing lights (and red rear lights) also require changes to the wiring? Or would it just be the case of replacing the rear-light lenses with the red/amber versions?

We'd like to keep the reversing lights - especially when you consider how drivers of modern cars ignore reversing cars anyway, let alone a 40 year bus with no reverse lights bearing down on them

WRT headlights, I know the actual lenses have to be changed, but any idea if the front sidelight situation would also apply to a Euro-spec bus?

Thanks,


Mike

You will need to do the modifications to make it comply with the regulations that were current in this country at the time of your bus' manufacture. So this will apply to both questions you asked.

The all red rear lights use a different bulb holder too as well as the all red lens, so if you want to keep reversing lights, then get the complete rear light units to convert it.

Gareth