6.1.6 Coupling mechanisms and towing equipment

Official wording

The defect clauses

1. 6.1.6 (a)Major

   A towbar component damaged, defective, fractured or corroded

   Corrosion in a structural area explained: what it means and what puts it right

2. 6.1.6 (b)(i)Major

   A towbar component excessively worn

3. 6.1.6 (b)(ii)Dangerous

   A towbar component so worn it is likely to fail

4. 6.1.6 (c)(i)Major

   A towbar attachment defective or insecure

5. 6.1.6 (c)(ii)Dangerous

   A towbar attachment likely to become detached

6. 6.1.6 (d)Major

   A towbar safety device damaged or not operating correctly

7. 6.1.6 (e)Major

   A towbar coupling indicator not working

8. 6.1.6 (f)(i)Minor

   Towbar obstructing the registration plate or any lamp

9. 6.1.6 (f)(ii)Major

   Towbar obstructing the registration plate so that it is unreadable

   Registration plate missing, insecure or illegible explained: what it means and what puts it right

10. 6.1.6 (g)(i)Major

    Unsafe modification to towbar secondary components

11. 6.1.6 (g)(ii)Dangerous

    Unsafe modification to towbar primary components

12. 6.1.6 (h)Major

    Coupling too weak

13. 6.1.6 (i)(i)Majorunder 0.1 per 100 fails

    The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any towbar mounting bracket is significantly reduced

14. 6.1.6 (i)(ii)Dangerous

    The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any towbar mounting bracket is so weakened that the towbar is likely to become detached

Wording and categories reproduced from the DVSA inspection manual under the Open Government Licence. Frequencies are items per 100 failed class 4 tests across the DVSA anonymised MOT dataset; a clause with no figure was not recorded often enough to appear in any model’s top forty failure items. 2 of 14 clauses link to our own explanation.

Grading

What the categories mean

Dangerous

a direct and immediate risk to road safety or the environment. The vehicle fails and must not be driven until repaired, even to a garage.

Major

a defect that affects safety, the environment or other road users. The vehicle fails.

Minor

a defect with no significant effect on safety or the environment. Recorded on the certificate; the vehicle passes.

The full guide to defect grading

Section 6

Other sub-sections of body, structure and attachments

• 6.1.1General condition
• 6.1.2Exhaust system
• 6.1.3Fuel system
• 6.1.4Bumpers
• 6.1.5Spare wheel carrier (if fitted)
• 6.1.7Transmission
• 6.1.8Engine mountings
• 6.2.1Body condition
• 6.2.2Cab and body mounting
• 6.2.3Doors and door catches
• 6.2.4Floor
• 6.2.5Driver’s seat
• 6.2.6Passenger seats
• 6.2.7Driving controls
• 6.2.8Cab steps (if fitted)
• 6.2.12Handgrips and footrests

All sections of the manual

Common questions

What does 6.1.6 mean on an MOT certificate?

It refers to sub-section 6.1.6 of the MOT inspection manual, "Coupling mechanisms and towing equipment", within section 6, body, structure and attachments. The letter or letters after it — (a), (b)(i) and so on — identify the specific defect from the 14 listed here. 4 of them are graded Dangerous, 9 Major and 1 Minor.

Which coupling mechanisms and towing equipment defect is recorded most often?

"The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any towbar mounting bracket is significantly reduced" (6.1.6 (i)(i)), recorded about 0.0 times per 100 failed MOT tests nationally.

Does a Minor defect fail the MOT?

No. a defect with no significant effect on safety or the environment. Recorded on the certificate; the vehicle passes. Major and Dangerous defects fail. A Dangerous defect also means the car must not be driven until it is repaired.