The MOT Files

Section 7 · Other equipment

7.1.6 Supplementary restraint system (SRS)

Manual indexed

Quick answer

Sub-section 7.1.6 of the MOT inspection manual covers supplementary restraint system (srs) and lists 1 defects. A reference like "(7.1.6 (a))" on a certificate points to the matching row below. The most recorded is "An SRS malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) indicates a system malfunction", about 1.1 times per 100 failed tests.

Official wording

The defect clauses

  1. 7.1.6 (a)Major1.1 per 100 fails

    An SRS malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) indicates a system malfunction

    Airbag warning lamp on, or airbag missing explained: what it means and what puts it right

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. 1 of 1 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 7

Other sub-sections of other equipment

All sections of the manual

Common questions

What does 7.1.6 mean on an MOT certificate?
It refers to sub-section 7.1.6 of the MOT inspection manual, "Supplementary restraint system (SRS)", within section 7, other equipment. The letter or letters after it — (a), (b)(i) and so on — identify the specific defect from the 1 listed here. 1 Major and 0 Minor.
Which supplementary restraint system (srs) defect is recorded most often?
"An SRS malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) indicates a system malfunction" (7.1.6 (a)), recorded about 1.1 times per 100 failed MOT tests nationally. We explain what it means and what puts it right.
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.