Cape Cutter 19 Association Forum

Do trailers need an MOT?


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I don’t think so. They obviously need to meet the legal requirements. I think it’s one of those things which is only tested in the event of an incident (eg in my dive club, a wheel came off the boat trailer!!). I occasionally hear of police in “boats” areas stopping tow vehicles, but that seems to be if there is a question about their weight. I imagine if there was a collision and a fault was found with the trailer there would be consequences.


Charles Erb CC19 #86 Aurora
travellingaurora.wordpress.com

No requirement for trailer MOT in UK. No requirement for any VIN either as far as I know.
This very much unlike our Euro neighbors.

Imho, there should be MOT.
Also agree with erbster.

So can we pull our boats in Europe? Do we need extra paperwork?


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I have towed mine across Sweden and must admit I didn’t consider any legal implications of the trailer.


Charles Erb CC19 #86 Aurora
travellingaurora.wordpress.com

I have experience only of France.

No expert, but....as far as I am aware...atm (pre brexit!)
Uk trailers towed by UK cars, (possibly may need to be towed by UK drivers?)

...are effectively exempt.

Loads of info on Drascombe assoc, and some on Swallow yachts assoc forums. Not sure on here?

Also like the requirement for French boat operators, in France, to have a "driving licence" for that boat.
Our SSR scheme is part of the arrangements to cover this requirement.

I would certainly get an ssr number if taking a CC overseas (it’s cheap, lasts 5 years and helps to confirm ownership/vat paid, if challenged).


Charles Erb CC19 #86 Aurora
travellingaurora.wordpress.com

I towed my Lune Whammel out to Greece with a UK registered car and trailer. I made sure it had an SSR. No problem through Shengen countries. Entering Serbia was leaving the EU. They only wanted boat and car papers, SSR was all they needed for the boat and car is only V5 and insurance. No reference on the insurance to the trailer. Re entry to the EU was into Bulgaria and then re-entry into EU Shengen for Greece. No problems at any stage.

Chris

I'm fairly sure that trailer insurance comes from the car insurance, when it is attached to the vehicle. Certainly wrt 3rd party issues.

Trailer as an object itself is insured as part of boat insurance, in my case.

What is not clear to me is who the trailer is insured by, should it damage something/somebody while separate from the car.
Eg should it roll away on a slip or in yard, while no car present?
I would hope that of the boat is on it, the boat insurance would cover 3d party liability?
But an empty trailer, not "with" a car?
Hope i never need to find out!

Trailer insurance has always bothered me. My trailer is insured whilst stationary by my boat insurance. However, I am not sure what happens in the event of an accident. I’m pretty sure if I had an accident/breakdown the trailer would be recovered with the vehicle, but I’m not so sure if the trailer had a breakdown whilst being towed. Obviously I have tools to change a wheel but I’m not sure about anything more serious.


Charles Erb CC19 #86 Aurora
travellingaurora.wordpress.com