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Volvo XC90 - Seat belts on MoT - Alebear

I've just bought an '03 Xc90, and the third row of seats' seat-belts are frayed at points - doubtless owing to a dog chewing at them at some point.

I am confident the webbing is not so compromised as to prevent it from restraining folk in the event of a sudden stop or worse, but am mindful of the fact that their condition is not likely to pass unnoticed on an approaching MoT.

The local Volvo dealership quotes £280 and £250 for an offside and nearside belt for the rear respectively, and breakers do not seem to have such parts available.

Can anyone tell me specifically what would be tested in an MoT - for example, if my seats were not deployed, would the testers still fail the car on the condition of these rear belts? Is there any sense in removing the belts for the duration of the test?

Advice and insight on this would be very much appreciated.

Volvo XC90 - Seat belts on MoT - elekie&a/c doctor

I would think you are looking at a failure here.Removal of the belts is a failure where factory fitted.Check this info from Mot testers manual.hth

a. a cut which causes the fibres to separate b. fluffing or fraying sufficient to obstruct correct operation of the belt or which has clearly weakened the webbing c. stitching badly frayed, not secure, incomplete or repaired
Volvo XC90 - Seat belts on MoT - jc2

Your V5 should tell you the number of seats your vehicle legally has and the tester should check that all of them have the required belts.

Volvo XC90 - Seat belts on MoT - Alebear

I have bought the rear-most seatbelts from a sc***ped XCX90 - but I have been told unequivocally that the pretensioner has fired. Is there any way of utilising the good webbing of these belts with the otherwise sound system that currently is found within my car?

Volvo XC90 - Seat belts on MoT - Peter D

Warning! Under no circumstances use an ohmmeter or other live measuring instrument to take readings on a disconnected non-deployed seat belt tensioner. There is a risk that the seat belt tensioner could deploy.
Warning! The seat belt tensioner must never be taken apart, repaired or moved to another vehicle.

Disconnect the Battery.

However on some vehicles the belt can be fully unwound and a length of belt fed through the slot and you can remove the retaining insert after which the belt can be removed from the reel. Do Not let go of the reel, the last one I did I slid a steel ruler through the slot whilst I sorted the belt. I have not done one on a Volvo so let us know the outcome. Do you have the instructions to access the reels.

There are three colours of belts Charcoal Grey and Oak, have you oredred the right colour or was there no choice.

Post this on www.Volvoclub.org.uk

Good Luck

Regards Peter

Edited by Peter D on 29/08/2010 at 11:26

Volvo XC90 - Seat belts on MoT - Alebear

I wanted oak but have settled for charcoal presently. Thanks for the advice, I'll keep you posted with my progress!