does the horn need to work from the steering wheel?

[craigb244]

My mates bought a seicento and its been messed with a bit.
the contact ring inside the steering wheel is missing which means no horn.

does anyone know if the MOT requires that the horn works from the steering wheel? mot sites say it much be accessible to the driver

does this mean we can fit a button in dash or centre console as a quick mot fix

 

[s130]

Not really sure. Have you checked the VOSA website? http://www.dft.gov.uk/vosa/

This should be your definative status/requirement.

I would add the following observations (which could be total rubbish).

You quote "accessible to driver".

I would in ignorance add that "accessible" means without conflict.

e.g. you can brake, steer and sound the horn at the same time.

So a floor horn foot switch which could not be pressed (easily) in an emergency braking situation without affecting braking (both in time and effectiveness) would not pass an MOT.

I would also suspect that "intuitive" operation is required such that any driver who may likely be expected to drive the vehicle knows how to operate the horn.

NOTE! In the UK both the Police, Armed Forces and I believe the Emergency Services can in law commandeer you vehcile for emergency purposes. Do they need to read the operators "horn" manual? I've no idea.

 

[sludgeguts]

I was once given a failure because I had a retro fit fog light which had been smashed (like that when I bought the motor) but because there was a switch for it & the switch lit up I got the fail.
The basic premise seemed to be that a switch must work something or be removed ?
working on this theory, if you have a horn button on the steering wheel then it must work, the tester will press what he believes to be the horn button & if nothing happens, it's a fail.

 

[GrandeGuy]

My Mum had a 86 Nissan cherry, The horn on the wheel didn't work so the garage put a toggle switch on the dash, Passed another 8 MOT's like that so i cant see an issue, (MOT's were from various garages over the space of 8 years)

 

[lewey]

My Mum had a 86 Nissan cherry, The horn on the wheel didn't work so the garage put a toggle switch on the dash, Passed another 8 MOT's like that so i cant see an issue, (MOT's were from various garages over the space of 8 years)

Agree, owned a westfield with toggle horn on dash and now an uno with one on the cowling. MOT should be fine, but perhaps not a safe bet with nervous test centres.

 

[petrolhead69]

iirc the horn on my s1 rst escort was on the indicator stalk, never had a button on the wheel so should be ok.

 

[sludgeguts]

iirc the horn on my s1 rst escort was on the indicator stalk, never had a button on the wheel so should be ok.

Yes, but here we are talking about original equipment not working and installing something aftermarket in another position.

I was discussing this today with a colleague, his car has a very dodgy horn, sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't, sometimes you need to press the centre of the steering wheel whilst facing mecca, signalling right and engaging reverse gear! (OK, not quite but apparently it is a real PITA to get working when it is 'working'). However, more often than not, it comes on & stays on - and his mechanic simply removed the fuse - which is an mot fail. I told him about this discussion which reminded him that he needs to talk to his mech about this as his MOT is due in the not too distant.


Going back to my earlier post, I wonder if an accessory switch would be permitted if it only operated the horn whilst pressed AND was clearly labelled 'HORN' AND the horn motiff/wording on the centre of the wheel was covered/blanked/obliterated?
Actually, could you just not get the bit from a breaker?