seat belts

Lance · Post by **Lance** » Fri Aug 21, 15 10:37 pm

Hi, can anybody give me a definitive answer on whether I need to have seatbelts in my car for the MOT.
its a 68 Dart, when I bought it, it had a current MOT but no seat belts, its been of the road for a few years for various reasons but now its about ready for an MOT and I'm not convinced ill get away without them, I've looked at the on line MOT requirements and am just a bit confused.
Cheers
Lance,

latil · Post by **latil** » Fri Aug 21, 15 11:02 pm

Lap belts pre 65,3 point belts 65 onwards.

terryr · Post by **terryr** » Sat Aug 22, 15 7:41 am

pre 65 ,you don't need any belts ,and I think 3 point is not mandatory till a lot later ,your 68 should be fine on factory fitted 2 point lap belts ,Im sure if your vehicle has provisions for belts they should be there,ive never had a problem with factory belts ,just got to be in a good condition

some nice chrome buckle type in various colours on e bay with bolts,about £80 a pair

PaulR · Post by **PaulR** » Sat Aug 22, 15 8:57 am

Lance, Requirements for seat belts can be confusing but you can use the flow chart in section 5.1 of the MOT inspection manual.
Your car needs front belts to pass. Any cars from 1st Jan 1965 through to 1st April 1981 (your Dart) need a minimum 2 point belt for driver and front passenger. The 2 point belt must restrain the upper part of the body so a 2 point diagonal across the chest. Lap belts would fail if fitted in the front. A 3 point belt is needed from 1st April 1981 .
I have fitted 3 point belts in the front of my 69 Dart. The mounting points were already there. The floor mounts are pretty obvious the upper mount may still behind the roof lining about 2 inches behind the front and rear window joining point.
Rear belts not required until after 1st April 1987. ( If you think front belts are confusing try the requirements for rears)

Johnny Dart · Post by **Johnny Dart** » Sat Aug 22, 15 9:53 am

I had to put in front 3 point belts in my 1972 Dart. I had to use van belts , as the securon car belts were not long enough.
I used securon comercial belts, but the stalks were too long, so I got some securon car stalks, and that worked out fine. I used retractable belts.

Johnny Dart · Post by **Johnny Dart** » Sat Aug 22, 15 9:56 am

I have a 1971 Seat 850 sport spider, that has 2 point shoulder belts.
Before I bought the car , I,d never seen that type of belt

GJUK · Post by **GJUK** » Sat Aug 22, 15 9:59 pm

a lap belt is going to do very little in an accident, I would want at least 3 point belts in any car.