1985 Metro rear seat belts and the law

Si-monogram · 3rd March 2016, 06:57

Hi guys and gals. I have a 1985 Austin metro which has no rear belts. Now I know that the law in 1989 made it compulsory for rear passengers under 14 to wear belts in the back. Now, because I'm not an idiot, I wouldn't transport anyone in the back of the metro due to the lack of belts but my question is this, my car was built at a time when rear belts were an option, so, if somebody were to sit in the back under 14, would i be breaking the law? As stated, I wouldn't let anyone in the back anyway but from a legal standpoint, what would the police do?

Walter · 3rd March 2016, 07:54

I have a 1951 car, it has no seatbelts what so ever, so car is exempt from seat belt law . MOT stations could not fail car on lack of seat belts as they were not fitted at time of manufacture.

police would have to arrest a lot of folk in classic cars going back to 1901-doubt it, if your worried about personal safety ,you can usually get belts fitted, look for anchorage points on body of car.

Si-monogram · 3rd March 2016, 08:15

Yeah that's what I thought and tbh, nobody will ever be in the back so it's a mute point but just wondered if the law applies to cars pre-regulations.

Walter · 3rd March 2016, 08:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by MR190

Yeah that's what I thought and tbh, nobody will ever be in the back so it's a mute point but just wondered if the law applies to cars pre-regulations.

completely exempt, you do get strange looks from johhny law pulling up beside you

Lancpudn · 3rd March 2016, 10:06

I used to get pulled because they thought I wasn't wearing a seat belt in some of my old 60's Yank cars,they were all pillarless vehicles back then with nowhere to anchor a three point harness, Lap belts only.

Departed 32016 · 3rd March 2016, 16:06

I fitted rear belts to the mgb, anchor point are there, would think they will be in the metro too.

clf · 3rd March 2016, 16:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by kieranswood

I fitted rear belts to the mgb, anchor point are there, would think they will be in the metro too.

As far as I recall the anchor points are there. They were an option when my father's metro was new. (He was the second owner) I think after 1988 all new cars had to have them fitted.

Prior to this, if they weren't fitted you weren't obliged to fit them. But if they are fitted they must be used.

3rd March 2016, 06:57	#1
Si-monogram Banned MG ZTT TYPHOON 180, PPD 75 CDTI 160, METRO 1.3 A+, ABARTH TURISMO 595, MG ZS V6, 75 duotone tourer Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Kenilworth Posts: 1,498 Thanks: 448 Thanked 405 Times in 284 Posts	1985 Metro rear seat belts and the law Hi guys and gals. I have a 1985 Austin metro which has no rear belts. Now I know that the law in 1989 made it compulsory for rear passengers under 14 to wear belts in the back. Now, because I'm not an idiot, I wouldn't transport anyone in the back of the metro due to the lack of belts but my question is this, my car was built at a time when rear belts were an option, so, if somebody were to sit in the back under 14, would i be breaking the law? As stated, I wouldn't let anyone in the back anyway but from a legal standpoint, what would the police do? Last edited by Si-monogram; 3rd March 2016 at 07:00..

3rd March 2016, 07:54	#2
Walter Posted a thing or two zebadee Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Ayrshire Posts: 1,481 Thanks: 135 Thanked 207 Times in 192 Posts	Seat Belts. I have a 1951 car, it has no seatbelts what so ever, so car is exempt from seat belt law . MOT stations could not fail car on lack of seat belts as they were not fitted at time of manufacture. police would have to arrest a lot of folk in classic cars going back to 1901-doubt it, if your worried about personal safety ,you can usually get belts fitted, look for anchorage points on body of car. Last edited by Walter; 3rd March 2016 at 07:57..

3rd March 2016, 10:06	#5
Lancpudn This is my second home MG ZS EV Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Lancashire Posts: 15,718 Thanks: 4,591 Thanked 3,427 Times in 2,565 Posts	I used to get pulled because they thought I wasn't wearing a seat belt in some of my old 60's Yank cars,they were all pillarless vehicles back then with nowhere to anchor a three point harness, Lap belts only. __________________ Blessed are the tea makers. http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x3b...auto-2000_auto

3rd March 2016, 08:15	#3
Si-monogram Banned MG ZTT TYPHOON 180, PPD 75 CDTI 160, METRO 1.3 A+, ABARTH TURISMO 595, MG ZS V6, 75 duotone tourer Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Kenilworth Posts: 1,498 Thanks: 448 Thanked 405 Times in 284 Posts	Yeah that's what I thought and tbh, nobody will ever be in the back so it's a mute point but just wondered if the law applies to cars pre-regulations.

3rd March 2016, 16:06	#6
Departed 32016 This is my second home Rover 75 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Edinburgh Posts: 5,190 Thanks: 101 Thanked 257 Times in 145 Posts	I fitted rear belts to the mgb, anchor point are there, would think they will be in the metro too.