Talk Morgan Forums Talk Morgan Members Section Dealer Talk Berrybrook Aero Plus8 advert

As Morgan experts, ( including the MOT tester), you should be aware that all aero based Morgans left the factory with an airbag fitted with the exception of the speedster & the Mk 1. The plus 8 definitely had airbags fitted.

To a non expert its obvious that the passenger glovebox is not as it left the factory.

It’s not about being Anal it’s about being responsible legal and Insured ….as a dealer I find that outlook fairly irresponsible tbh.

A quote from AI:

MOT Test RegulationsDefinite Failure (if caught). The DVSA (formerly VOSA) MOT inspection manual states that a vehicle will fail if an airbag fitted as original equipment is obviously missing or defective. If the inspector spots a non-airbag wheel on a model that required one, it is an automatic fail.The Dashboard Light CatchPass or Fail Loophole. In practice, many aftermarket modifications pass the MOT only if the "resistor trick" keeps the warning light off and the installation looks factory-neat. However, an eagle-eyed tester who knows the Aero 8's exact spec can still fail it.Insurance PoliciesRisk of Voided Coverage. Removing standard safety equipment is a major modification. If you do not explicitly declare it to your insurer, they can completely void your policy, leaving you personally liable in an accident.

What if someone who is not familiar with the factory spec of the Aero Plus 8 buys it and then has an accident - would insurance fail to pay out because the 'standard safety equipment' had been removed? And if so, who is then liable: the dealer who knew it should be there, but sold the car as roadworthy, or the individual who unknowingly bought an illegal vehicle?

It almost certainly breaches the Consumer Rights Act. A dealer must not knowingly sell a vehicle which has been illegally modified. The purchaser would find out as soon as they tried to insure it and presumably would wish to exercise their rights and return the vehicle.

In practice I'd imagine that the dealer would offer the car with the original steering wheel (and passenger airbag), leaving it to the customer to decide. Either way it seems like an enormous risk to take even without the obvious safety implications.

Another reason to stick with buying older cars if you want to modify them!

Of the 8 Aero based Plus 8’s for sale on Pistonheads 4 of them have got steering wheels without airbags, which I assume were not the factory fit ?

On my 2016 series 5 aero airbags were optional so they were likely not optioned at build.

As a dealership we would require the next owner to sign a waver about modifications on a vehicle.

It's not upto the tester to know spec of a car given to them, they have to follow the guide lines set to either pass, fail or advise.

And to put your minds at rest, it left the factory without any airbags and is stated in a letter with the car file.

So now if any of you are interested in purchasing the car, please let me know.