Doors

Information

This inspection does not apply if no driver’s or front passenger’s doors were fitted as part of the original design of the vehicle A lack of door handles because of original design characteristics or specialist modification is not a reason for rejection provided the door can be latched securely in the close position and the door can still be opened using the relevant control, for example, a button or a fob. 

Method of inspection 

Open and close the driver’s and passengers’ doors. Check that each latches securely in the closed position. Check also that front doors can be opened from both inside and outside the vehicle. 

1. Open and close the driver’s and passenger’s doors. Check that:

• each door latches securely in the closed position 
• the driver’s and front passenger doors can be opened from both inside and outside the vehicle
• the rear doors can be opened from outside the vehicle.

2. Check door hinges, catches and pillars for presence, security and condition.

Reasons for rejection

			Deficiency Category
1	a	A driver’s or any passenger’s door does not properly latch securely in the closed position	MAJOR
	b	A driver’s or front passenger’s door cannot be opened from both inside and outside the vehicle from the relevant control in each case	MAJOR
	c	A rear passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle using the relevant control	MAJOR

Note: Reason for rejection 1 b and c does not apply to:

			Deficiency Category
		Goods vehicles modified for the carriage of high value cargoes such as armoured security vehicles
		Front passenger doors if the door aperture has been permanently ‘filled’ as part of a specialised customisation provided that there are no obvious aperture gaps
2	a	A door hinge, catch or pillar deteriorated	MINOR
	b	A door hinge, catch or pillar insecure or deteriorated to the extent that a door cannot be readily opened or closed	MAJOR