Mercedes Vario - Mazda RX8 Seat - Securing of seat - mot question - fail or pass?

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Tue 7 Feb 2012 23:39
Mercedes Vario - Mazda RX8 Seat - Securing of seat - mot question - fail or pass? - leo-saphira

Right, have decided to replace the horrid drivers seat out of my Mercedes Vario (camper in conversion) with some nice and tidy Mazda RX-8 Seats (as I rather like these)

In the works - the fix to get this to work was to use 13mm plywood between the main seat (the mazda seat) and the mercedes seat mounting points where the old seat used to sit. All corectly secured with 6 bolts (m6/m8's) on each side to get this secured. This is due to the fact that the runners of the new seat and base holes don't match and using ply with off set holes this works very well.

Can I ask - is using wood as a sandwich "filling" with off set holes between the mazda seat and main base of the mercedes a MOT fail? (even though its very very secure?) or am I going to have to consider getting a metal plate made to order to match the wooden one we have done?

As I can honesly say this method is no differernt to the way the seats where done in the bus part of the camper (in its past life) where the current floor ply was sandwiched between the chassis members and seat rackings in the rear.

Manys Thanks

Edited by leo-saphira on 07/02/2012 at 23:45

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Wed 8 Feb 2012 09:29
Mercedes Vario - Mazda RX8 Seat - Securing of seat - mot question - fail or pass? - Cris_on_the_gas

The MoT tester manual states that if the modification " significantly reduces the original strength, excessive corrosion, severe distortion, a fracture or an inadequate repair of a load bearing member or its supporting structure or supporting panelling within 30cm of a seat belt anchorage" would be an MoT failure.

Guess if your modification does not reduce the original strength of the mounting then the tester should issue a pass certificate. You may need to convince him/her however or even appeal the decision to VOSA.

An interesting situation, please let the forum know of the outcome

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Wed 8 Feb 2012 10:23
Mercedes Vario - Mazda RX8 Seat - Securing of seat - mot question - fail or pass? - 659FBE

If you are absolutely happy with the strength of this adaptation and provided that no part of the seat belt anchorage system is associated with your modification, smooth your plywood adapter down carefully and paint it matt black. Nobody will notice.

The nanny state needs dealing with.

659.

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Wed 8 Feb 2012 13:31
Mercedes Vario - Mazda RX8 Seat - Securing of seat - mot question - fail or pass? - leo-saphira

If you are absolutely happy with the strength of this adaptation and provided that no part of the seat belt anchorage system is associated with your modification, smooth your plywood adapter down carefully and paint it matt black. Nobody will notice.

The nanny state needs dealing with.

659.

Very good point about the seat belt anchor part - the mazda seat has a seat belt anchor built into the seat itselt(the socket part) and the merc belt works with it, Merc one is anchored down the side of the battery box - but all locks in and works with no issues.

I think it will pass - but Class 4 MOT is not till October time anyways - so will fire out a email to VOSA to ask or unless I get stopped when out in the truck at work I will ask then too :D

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