NCT and towbars

my3cents

I believe that they are testing the electrics on towbars on the NCT now?

What happens to a car with a towbar and no electics? Should I just remove the hitch?

jmreire

my3cents wrote: »

I believe that they are testing the electrics on towbars on the NCT now?

What happens to a car with a towbar and no electics? Should I just remove the hitch?

What make of car?

blackbird99

on the van test i was told by the tester if it has a plug it has to work,
if it hasn't they don't test because you could be using the towbar to carry bikes which don't need lights

CiniO

blackbird99 wrote: »

on the van test i was told by the tester if it has a plug it has to work,
if it hasn't they don't test because you could be using the towbar to carry bikes which don't need lights

How could bikes on the hitch don't need lights?

martyc5674

CiniO wrote: »

How could bikes on the hitch don't need lights?

If the bikes don’t obscure the cars normal lights I suppose. But you wouldn’t have to prove that in the test either...

my3cents

So looked it myself and the main wording of interest is "where fitted"

1. Check that the registration number plate lamp(s) shows a white light and is operating effectively. Check trailer
electrical sockets (where fitted) for; security, damage or deteriorated insulation.

Page 61 National car test (nct) manual 2018

Wishbone Ash

blackbird99 wrote: »

.. you could be using the towbar to carry bikes which don't need lights

I had a tow bar fitted on my last car to carry a bike rack. It had to have the light connection (and an additional registration plate on the bike rack).

greasepalm

We did have an nct fail of left indicator on towbar but all checked out ok.

.red.

Mine has a towbar and I've never seen it checked. It was only tested in February.

TrailerBob

Had the check done in January on Mrs Bob's Kuga. Sent it back to me with a fog light fail in the socket. Seems inconsistent in the testing though. I never checked the fog as we don't tow much with it.

my3cents

TrailerBob wrote: »

Had the check done in January on Mrs Bob's Kuga. Sent it back to me with a fog light fail in the socket. Seems inconsistent in the testing though. I never checked the fog as we don't tow much with it.

In addition to what I quoted above the next section only mentions brake, indicator and rear position lights

So I'd have complained about the fog light fail.

1. Check that the registration number plate lamp(s) shows a white light and is operating effectively. Check trailer
electrical sockets (where fitted) for; security, damage or deteriorated insulation.
2. Check the outputs from socket using appropriate equipment (only applies to brake, indicator and rear position
lights).

TrailerBob

Hence my point about inconsistent testing. Fog lights aren't mandatory on light trailers (<3.5t). My 12x6 has one, but the 8x4 doesn't

shane b

My 06 avensis that was tested in mid january failed on the tow bar lights. One indicator not working. Was advised either fix it or if I don't use it get it removed so then it won't be tested.

antodeco

How do our even test this? Mine has a towbar, but I've never used it.

TrailerBob

If you have a circuit tester you can check each pin one by one for the signal. An ordinary cheap 12v one with the light and wire will do. One end to the earth, and the other to each pin. The real bodge would be a bulb with two bits of wire on it. Test each. You can of course buy a tester unit for about 40 squid

my3cents

antodeco wrote: »

How do our even test this? Mine has a towbar, but I've never used it.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/SmartSpec-Trailer-Horsebox-Electrics-Diagnostic/dp/B0756CP392/ would do the job for about €15.

Mech1

last week i had a freelander 2 fail, customer says it works fine on rented trailers, I bought a led trailer board and side lights on the board flash constantly.
I then bought a standard incandecent bulb board and all works perfectly.

I went with customers car to nct and asked for the supervisor as soon as he heard i was a mechanic he passed the car and said that there test device gives false failures on some cars.

Mech1

On Freelander 2 plugging in a trailer also disables parking sensors on the rear, lights a green trailer attached warning light on the dash. that green light also flashes in time with indicators when they are turned on to remind you a trailer is turning too!

Staph

I failed on the electrical connection not working. I don’t tow, so never noticed before. The NCT tester recommended to repair or completely remove all wiring. Got it repaired, they replaced the connection as it was corroded. I brought my car to a specialist towing place and they said that it is often cheaper to repair than remove. Waiting on my retest now.

ht9zni1gs28crp

Mine failed in November as I have the socket pushed up under the bumper for protection. Claimed it was inaccessible for testing purposes.

Also classed as a 'dangerous' fail too

Staph

That's true, it is classed as a dangerous fail. But I'm glad they check, I'd rather know it's not working and get it fixed than draw a trailer with lights not working correctly. My connector fix cost E40.