Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Morgan Plus Four, Supersport & Plus Six (CX & CXV Generation Vehicles) Airbag steering wheel removal?

I'm sure this has been discussed to death, but I cannot find the threads - sorry. Does anyone know how to deactivate the airbag in the wheel and remove it?

I have a lovely 13" Momo I would like to try before I think too seriously of the disadvantages of removing the airbag.

I have a spare Moto Lita steering wheel. Thought of fitting it but........
Taking a safety feature off is a mod that insurers would likely react to.
Ask your insurer.

I tend to work on the fact that I haven't needed an airbag in over 60 years of spirited driving, so just because they are fitted why have one now....yes, I know I know. However, as you say it may indeed be worth running it past the insurers without actually being too specific about which wheel has the airbag?

I believe it is illegal to remove or deactivate an airbag from a vehicle fitted with one from the factory. So you would be uninsured in the event of an accident.

It's true that the airbag steering wheel really doesn't look good, but removing it causes huge problems with insurance and the vehicle inspection too.

Probably not what you're aiming for, but I think the Supersport wheel looks a little nicer and might be retrofitted, I have it on my Plus Six. Not as nice as the traditional / MotaLita type, but I'm OK with it. However, the silver boss reflects onto the windscreen. I've put black leather over it.

Some Darwin Award categories.....
Seatbelts...nah! I don't need them.
Glasses so I can see......nah. Never seen it written down.
Bald tyres...nah. They are just slicks.
Cheap brake pads....nah. The money saved will buy a few pints at Wetherspoons breakfast time.
Airbags....nah. Never needed them in the past. What could go wrong.
I am a DG. Driving God. My skills will keep me safe.
Speed limits....nah. I'll floor the pedal everywhere. See the DG above. Laws don't apply to me.
Axle stands.....nah. My bottle jack is ok and it is a quick job under the car.

Other categories......
Isolate electrics to work on them? Nah. I am good enough to bodge them when live.
Water leak. Nah, it's only a small one.
That smell isn't gas. My torch is dead....I'll use my lighter instead to look. ( this one is true! A mate knows an assumed intelligent man who did this to diy checks for gas leaks! )
Sunblock....nah. I like my mahogany tan.
I'll use this acid to clean stuff. PPE.....nah. I am ok
Introduce politics....oops!
US population....I'll vote for Trump. What could go wrong?



The list is long!

A deactivated or missing original equipment driver's airbag is an automatic MOT failure. Under UK MOT testing regulations, if a car was originally fitted with airbags as standard equipment, they must be present and fully operational.

Removing an airbag from a Morgan Plus Four is highly discouraged.

It will trigger a permanent warning light, which causes an automatic MOT failure.
It also invalidates your insurance policy and leaves you without critical crash protection, potentially risking serious injury from accidental deployment during removal.

1. Insurance ImplicationsMost insurance providers explicitly require the vehicle to retain its factory-standard safety equipment. If you remove the airbag without prior notification, you run the risk of having your policy voided in the event of an accident. You must always ask your insurer first.

2. Legal and MOT Consequences While driving without an airbag isn't universally illegal in the UK, it is inextricably linked to the vehicle's roadworthiness. The MOT test requires the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) warning light to operate normally (turning on, then off after a few seconds). A permanently illuminated light signals a major safety defect and guarantees a failure.

3. Electrical and Mechanical HazardsModern Plus Fours feature tightly integrated Supplemental Restraint Systems. Removing the airbag can cause multiple knock-on effects:

Fault Codes: The ECU will register an open circuit in the SRS, triggering dashboard warning lights.

System Disablement: Disconnecting one part of the SRS can fault the entire module, preventing other remaining safety systems (such as seatbelt pre-tensioners) from deploying.

Accidental Deployment: Handling explosive airbag modules requires specialized training. Careless removal poses a significant risk of accidental deployment and severe injury.

Same for a catalytic convertor. A mate was an MOT techie. We chatted about decatting....
A quick easy fail if not seen, let alone emissions test. Not there? No need to carry on!

All right, all right people - I get the message, thank you. Actually, the feel of the OE wheel in the hands is very good, it is more just the look of it, however one can get used to anything.

Thanks to all you scaremo... I mean contributors.