Q "My local motor dealer says that my warranty will be invalidated unless I fit the manufacturer's tow bar" |
A 94/20/EC was designed to create free trade. If you fit a Type Approved tow bar it will not invalidate the vehicle warranty. Under Block Exemption Rules a motor vehicle manufacturer cannot prevent a franchised outlet from supplying or fitting components deemed to be of equal quality to that supplied by the vehicle manufacture - such as a Type Approved Tow bar. |
Q "How can I tell if a tow bar is EC Approved or not" |
A It will have a label, data plate or stamping showing an 'E' number (e.g. E11*01*1662) This figure denotes that it is EC Approved in the UK (E11) and has an approval number of 1662 which is in fact EEC's Vectra Saloon/Hatch/Estate. |
Q "Why has EC Approval for tow bars been introduced" |
A Directive 94/20/EC was introduced as part of EWVTA to provide a common standard though out the European Community, Irrespective of where a tow bar has been manufactured, providing it has been type approved, a customer will know that it has been manufactured to a known technical and quality standard. |
Q "What happens if I do not fit a Type Approved Tow bar" |
A If your car is first registered on or after the 1st August 1998 you could be prosecuted for an infringement of Construction & Use regulations or your insurers may decline to pay out in the event of an accident claim. If you are unsure which tow bar to fit please feel free to contact us. |
Q "I only tow a small trailer to the tip now and again - do I need a Type approved Tow bar?" |
A YES. You need a Type Approved tow bar even if you do not use it for towing! Otherwise it does not comply with the Road Traffic Act. |
Q "Can I transfer my non approved tow bar from my 1996 Vauxhall Vectra to my 'T' reg Vectra?" |
A NO. Only Type Approved tow bars can be fitted to relevant vehicles first registered on or after 1st August 1998. |
Q "Can I fit a type Approved tow bar myself or do I have to go to an authorised fitter" |
A YES. You can fit the tow bar yourself provided that it is installed in accordance with the instructions provided. |
Q "Does 94/20/EC mean that I can only have a swan neck tow bar fitted as supplied by the vehicle manufacturer?" |
A NO. A tow bar with the popular two-hole flange ball faceplate and tow ball made by an Independent tow bar manufacturer can be EC Type Approved. Over 2/3rds of are EC Approved range of tow bars are of the two-hole flange type. |
Q "I have a Vauxhall Tigra, but can't find a Type Approved Tow bar listed, can I have one specially manufactured?" |
A NO. When the vehicle was EC Type Approved the manufacturer did not declare it to be suitable for towing. It therefore has no specified towing capacity and no specified mounting points. Towing with, or even the fitment of a tow bar to any such vehicle registered on or after 1st August 1998 would make you liable to prosecution. Other such examples are the Ford Ka and the Audi TT coupe. |
Q "I am going to by a 1999 'T' reg Escort Hatchback. The tow bar fitted to it is not Type Approved. What do I do?" |
A Insist that the tow bar is removed immediately and replaced with one that is Type Approved. If you do not get a satisfactory response you should report the matter to your local trading standards office.
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Q "I have a non EC Approved tow bar on my 'P' reg Laguna Hatchback (An EC Type Approved vehicle, which was registered in the UK in January 1997). Can I legally use the car to tow my caravan to Germany?" |
A YES. Although the EC Regulations are applied differently and introduced at different times in different countries, it is the country of registration that defines how and when you comply with the relevant EC Regulation. |
Q "If I have an accident whilst towing on the continent using a non EC approved tow bar on my 'R' rag Omega will I be liable for prosecution for not having an EC Approved tow bar?" |
A NO. Provided the vehicle is registered in the UK before the 1st August 1998, however if the tow bar is considered to have contribution to causing the accident for reasons of inadequacy e.g a poor made "home made" unit, or obviously incorrectly installed than naturally prosecution may be a possibility. |
Q "I have a Motor Caravan and a 1999 Transit Van - do I need to fit a Type Approved Tow bar to them?" |
A NO. Vans, Pick Ups (including double cabs, crew cabs), Chassis Cabs, Motor Homes, Personally imported vehicles (not bearing EC Type Approval), vehicles not for use on the public road and any vehicle classed as a motorcycle do not need a Type Approved tow bar although in the case of the Transit Van most tow bar manufactures would Type Approved there tow bar for it. |