Seat belts get checked for condition, operation and security. The tester will pull each belt sharply to test the locking mechanism, run the webbing through their hands looking for fraying and cuts, and check that the anchorage points are solid and not corroded.
Seat belts get checked for condition, operation and security. The tester will pull each belt sharply to test the locking mechanism, run the webbing through their hands looking for fraying and cuts, and check that the anchorage points are solid and not corroded.
There's very little grey area here. A belt that doesn't lock, doesn't retract or has damaged webbing has failed, because it won't do its job in a crash.
This section also covers the airbag warning light, which became a testable item and now catches out a lot of older cars.
Seat belt webbing damaged or the retractor does not lock
Either the webbing itself is damaged — fraying, cuts, chemical damage — or the inertia reel isn't locking or retracting as it should. Both mean the belt won't restrain properly in an impact.
Full explanation of Seat belt webbing damaged or the retractor does not lock
Airbag warning lamp indicates a fault
The SRS warning light stayed on with the engine running, meaning the airbag system has logged a fault and may not deploy correctly. It's a testable item on cars fitted with airbags.
Full explanation of Airbag warning lamp indicates a fault
How seat belts and restraints defects are graded
Every MOT defect is recorded as dangerous, major or minor. Dangerous and major both fail the test; the difference is that a dangerous defect means the car is not roadworthy and must not be driven away. A minor defect passes but is recorded on the certificate, and an advisory is a note that something is wearing and will need attention before the next test. Tester notes in the seat belts and restraints section use standard DVSA wording, which is why the phrasing on your certificate looks nothing like plain English — the pages above translate it.
Getting a seat belts and restraints failure put right
You are free to take the car anywhere for the repair — there is no obligation to have the testing station do the work, and getting a second opinion on a big quote is sensible. Ask for the failed item to be shown to you on the ramp; a genuine defect is always something a mechanic can point at. Once repaired, a partial retest within ten working days covers the listed items without paying a second full test fee.
Avoiding it next year
Most seat belts and restraints failures are found on a pre-MOT check for a fraction of the cost of a failure plus retest, because they are inspected before the clock is running. An MOT at Bob's Mechanical Repairs in Birnam, Dunkeld is £54.85, and anything found is explained and priced before work is agreed. Bob has 32 years on the tools, so the advice you get is what he would do with his own car.
Common questions
Can I drive away after a seat belts and restraints MOT failure? Only if the old certificate is still valid and the defect is not dangerous. A defect recorded as dangerous means the car must not be driven on the road until it is repaired, and driving it can mean a fine and points.
Do I pay again for the retest? If the car is left at the testing station and the repair is done there, the partial retest is usually free. If you take it away and bring it back within ten working days, a partial retest is free for the listed items; after that a full test fee applies.
What does an advisory in this section mean? An advisory is a pass with a warning: the item is not bad enough to fail today but is wearing. Advisories on the same item two years running are the ones worth acting on before they become failures.
Decode your exact MOT wording or browse all MOT failure categories.