Illegal 3 Point Harnesses

1. Paulp Super Moderator Joined: Aug 2007 Lancashire Posts: 14256 Astra VXR + 1989 Astra GTE

   #1 26th October 2007, 14:33

   Just been halfords. Went to buy some 3 point harnesses, couldnt find any.. So i toddled along to one of the staff, asked him where the 3 point harnesses are. He took me over to them.. One left in black.
   
   I told him i wanted blue ones.
   He then replied, "we're out of stock mate, im guessing you got bucket seats?"
   I said "yes, when are you getting some more in?"
   He then replied "Not sure mate, you do know that 3 point harnesses are illegal now dont you? They got banned last year as they're not safe enough."
   So i was like ... "Really?"
   
   Anyway, Is this true or what?
   
   Am i better just getting 4 point harness?
   
   And, Which do you prefer, 3 point or 4 point?
   
   Thanks. Paul.
2. user_7076 Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Sep 2005 Milton Keynes Posts: 8504 Audi A1 S-Line, Mazda MX5 Kuro, Renault Clio 1.2,

   #2 26th October 2007, 14:36

   Halfords talk out of their arse. They're not illegal but 4 points are obviously safer.
3. Paulp Super Moderator Joined: Aug 2007 Lancashire Posts: 14256 Astra VXR + 1989 Astra GTE

   #3 26th October 2007, 14:37

   Big price difference between 3 point and 4?
4. user_7076 Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Sep 2005 Milton Keynes Posts: 8504 Audi A1 S-Line, Mazda MX5 Kuro, Renault Clio 1.2,

   #4 26th October 2007, 14:38

   Quote:

   Originally Posted by Paul_CGM Big price difference between 3 point and 4?

   not really, you can pick up cheap 4 points as well. I've got 3 points at the moment and they're fine for everyday use but I ideally want some decent ones in the future just in case.
5. Wayne Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Mar 2007 Powys Posts: 15348 Icelandtic Grey Citroen Saxo VTS 53 Turbo

   #5 26th October 2007, 14:38

   go for 4 point harnesses alot safer.
6. saxo_2004 Established Member Joined: Sep 2004 Cheltenham (England) Posts: 1237 Subaru Legacy 2.0 16V GL AWD

   #6 26th October 2007, 14:39

   Thats crap. i used to work for halfords and they talk out there arses.
7. Paulp Super Moderator Joined: Aug 2007 Lancashire Posts: 14256 Astra VXR + 1989 Astra GTE

   #7 26th October 2007, 14:41

   Hmm ok cheers guys. Think i'll go for the 4-point
   
   Anyone selling any? *toddles off towards ebay*
8. MaRiO89 Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Jan 2007 Posts: 7705 Saxo VTS

   #8 26th October 2007, 14:41

   Bollocks mate, dont listen to them..
   
   Also 3 points are fine for track use and road use..
9. Paulp Super Moderator Joined: Aug 2007 Lancashire Posts: 14256 Astra VXR + 1989 Astra GTE

   #9 26th October 2007, 14:41

   Repping everyone
10. Paulp Super Moderator Joined: Aug 2007 Lancashire Posts: 14256 Astra VXR + 1989 Astra GTE

    #10 26th October 2007, 14:43

    Come on vidal.. post you know you want to
11. Mysticp Scotland Joined: Jul 2005 Edinburgh Posts: 9556 Saxo 1.6i 16v VTS, 2 Classic Minis

    #11 26th October 2007, 14:46

    Lol think about it, a seatbelt or a harness...
    
    Which looks or even just sounds safer?
12. James Saxperience Addict Joined: Jul 2005 Hull Posts: 11909 Beeeemer

    #12 26th October 2007, 14:47

    Mine went through MOT with 3 points, can't be that illegal.
13. Paulp Super Moderator Joined: Aug 2007 Lancashire Posts: 14256 Astra VXR + 1989 Astra GTE

    #13 26th October 2007, 14:48

    Harness
    
    But in a way... a seat belt is a harness
14. Paulp Super Moderator Joined: Aug 2007 Lancashire Posts: 14256 Astra VXR + 1989 Astra GTE

    #14 26th October 2007, 14:58

    Oh guys... I have a bucket seat in the passenger side.. bolted down securely and everything.. but no seat belt on it. Would it be wise not to get pulled over?
15. KamRacing Saxperience Addict Joined: Nov 2006 A farm shed in Aylesbury Posts: 14916 Corolla AE86 Peugeot 205 B18C (in bits)

    #15 26th October 2007, 15:00

    You need to get ones with a kite mark or equivelent for them to be road legal
16. Paulp Super Moderator Joined: Aug 2007 Lancashire Posts: 14256 Astra VXR + 1989 Astra GTE

    #16 26th October 2007, 15:06

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by KamRacing You need to get ones with a kite mark or equivelent for them to be road legal

    Got a picture mate?
17. vidal Established Member Joined: Jan 2007 Posts: 1729

    #17 26th October 2007, 16:08

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Paul_CGM Come on vidal.. post you know you want to

    Well, seeing as you asked, but you forgot the magic word!
    
    As Kam rightly points out they must be kite marked to be legal, however it does not stop there. They must also be fitted to a structural member, and this is something often overlooked. A lot of hard work goes into seatbelt design and placement, with factors such as crush loading of the thorax and abdomen being taken into account - how many people do you see just finding somewhere to bolt their harnesses, and then finding that they would fail an MOT or VOSA roadside check?
    
    It may be worth getting advice from a reputable MOT station prior to purchase and fitting, you will find that when it comes to MOT time, the harnesses, being non-standard, will be scrutinised more closely.
    
    V.
18. Steve Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Mar 2005 Newcastle Upon Tyne Posts: 19910 CW Honda Integra DC5

    #18 26th October 2007, 16:13

    not illegal at all, richie passed his mot last week with his........
19. Quick Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Mar 2003 United Kingdom (England) Posts: 7064

    #19 26th October 2007, 16:27

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Paul_CGM Got a picture mate?

    
    
    Kitemark means it reaches British Stanards much the same idea as an E mark.
20. jaysheepsloveme Infrequent Poster Joined: Sep 2007 pembrokeshire Posts: 122 citroen saxo vtr

    #20 15th December 2007, 17:54

    hi mate. yes kite mark needs to be clearly labelled on a white tag double stiched to the back of one of the shoulder straps. (i do m.o.ts) read book for you and also they can be bolted to the position of the original seat belt mounting point bolts.( not jus on the slide rails) have seen it...
21. djmartin Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Nov 2006 Near Hull Posts: 8405 BMW 3.0 X3,toyota mr2 & Skyline R33

    #21 15th December 2007, 18:03

    i passed my MOT with 3point harnesses so load of crap man.
    
    only thing they did say to me was dont remove all the locks etc etc from the back seats.
    
    but i told them i dont have anyone in the back seat as the harsess gets in the way so i got off with that lol.
    
    some law about if you have front and rear seats you must have adiquate seat belts and locks in place for passengers.
22. Vinny_VSX Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Mar 2007 Bath/Warminster Posts: 2616 57 plate C2 VTS & a saxo 1.4

    #22 15th December 2007, 19:14

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Quick Kitemark means it reaches British Stanards much the same idea as an E mark.

    Hmm.. I wonder if mine has that. They are sparco ones, I think I will go check them now actually.