Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Morgan Three Wheeler & Super 3 Mudguard Question

Hello Everyone,

Recently removed and sent my front mudguards for stripping, cleaning & fresh powder coating. All is fine however I decided that I really like the look of the M3W without the factory mudguards fitted - looks more like a 'vintage racer' to me.

So here are my questions:

In the UK, is it mandatory to have front mudguards fitted?
Is it an MOT fail?
I understand of the difficulty in controlling the spray/road debris - are there any other benefits or drawbacks?

I have a 3.1/2 hour (160mile) drive to be 'Bleazey'd on Monday evening - didn't want to get pulled by plod on the M6.

Thanks for your help/opinions.

Regards
Andrew

It would appear to be a requirement if the Traffic Officer pulling you over is familiar with this bit http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1986/1078/regulation/63/made

And if you take the machine on military bases they have rules against all sorts of things, like open wheeled, no hood(covering) over the engine to name a few.

No mention of motor tricycle in those regulations....is this another one of those grey areas ?

It is not a grey area. (but what others are there?)
All new M3W are now tested to MSVA (Motorcycle Single Vehicle Approval) as the earlier models' Type Approval Certificate is no longer valid as the design has changed so much. The MSVA is a 'cutdown' form of the Type Approval requirements, but it is still an intensive 4 hour test.
To pass the MSVA the M3W needs front mudguards. If you then remove them that is an offence, as it is illegal to have parts on the vehicle for the MSVA (or IVA for cars) just to pass the test and for them to be removed afterwards where if they had not been on for the test the vehicle would have failed.
It is interesting as the M3Ws that are presented for MSVA have a plastic dish over the octagonal wheel nut to meet MSVA as the octagonal nut will not meet the requirements. If you look at the photos in the M3W parts book from the factory you will see a photo of the M3W front wheel with the plastic dish fitted.
https://assets.publishing.service.g...e-vehicle-approval-inspection-manual.pdf ... Any part of the wheel must not project more than 30mm beyond the body (Mudguard is part of the body) and even then must have a radius of <30mm, so the octagonal wheel nut on M3W will not meet that.
I had to get my new unregistered Buckland B3 through MSVA and so had the opportunity for a chat with the DVSA inspector, he has done so many M3W in both Exeter and Bristol, hence a longer waiting list than a few years ago for the three wheelers!
Hope that helps, cheers Peter.

Having followed a M3W in the rain without mudguards I had to hang back to avoid getting sprayed there was 4m high fountain of water coming off the front tyres. Actually quite spectacular as he went round corners and the fountains moved across the car.

2 or 3 eared spinners are a no no then according to the MSVA rules.........

As far as I know there is no requirement for mudguards on a 3-wheeler for it to pass the MSVA test, but the outside face of the wheels must pass the requirements of the external projection tests (section 9). Spinners are a definite no-no. I know of several 3-wheelers (not Morgans) that have passed MSVA without mudguards.
There is, however, a note in section 14.1 that vehicles could pass the MSVA but still be unroadworthy under the C and U regulations, so there is indeed a grey area since tricycles are not mentioned in the specific section of C and U relating to wings, but a common-sense interpretation suggests the section would be applicable.

John

Montlhery revival 2019
Vinmog calendar july 2020
Mudguard not a necesity

Thanks Everyone,

I think I better put them back on.
Another job for tomorrow.

Andrew