Hi,
The vehicles are all over 10 years old, so that eliminates them from the SVA (Single Vehicle Approval) process, which is good.
It will probably be the lights most likely to cause problems on the MoT inspection, although to some extent it will depend upon the actual person you get for the test. I've had dealings with various inspectors on American vehicles over the years -- Some are sticklers for the "my book says....." line, while others take a more practical approach to an imported vehicle and are prepared to let the rules become a little elastic over small items. Unfortunately, there are also one or two who don't deal with older vehicles that much and will try to insist that an item must be fitted when it isn't actually required for a car of that age, so it's a good idea to familiarize yourself with the requirements for lights, mirrors, etc.
As you say, the headlights are a must to change for driving on the left. Rear fog lights have only been required on new cars since 1980, so you won't need to worry about that.
Turn signals ("indicators" in British parlance, or "direction indicators" officially) are the usual point of contention. All new British cars have used amber lights front
and rear since 1965, so the rules only allow for white front and/or red rear signals on older vehicles. I would guess that your 1977 bus, being VW, is already amber both ends, but not sure about the 1970 one (I believe 1970 or 1971 was the first year that the U.S. allowed amber rear signals, but I'm not certain).
This is one of those areas where it can depend upon the inspector. The testing station I've used for the last 10 years or so has one of the "good guys" who is willing to take a pragmatic approach to imported cars and bend the rules a little. He's always passed my American vehicles with red signals on the rear without a problem (even on my '87 Bronco II). Just be aware that some inspectors won't allow it to slide at all, and with some you might get away with the "wrong" lights on, say, a 1970 vehicle but not a new one.
Side repeaters for turn signals aren't required on pre-1986 vehicles, so that's not an issue. Again, you have to watch some of the inspectors though if they don't deal with older vehicles regularly, as they will sometimes try to insist that you have something which is not required by law. It's always good to be familiar with the rules so that you can challenge anything like this.
The only other MoT lighting rule which might cause you a problem is that relating to the front parking lights. Officially, they are required to be white here, the only exception being if they are incorporated within a yellow headlight. So technically, amber parking lights are out, although even the stricter inspectors don't seem so hot on that as they are on the turn signals. One way to get around the issue without having to mess up the front of the vehicle is to swap the headlights for the type which have an integral parking light bulb, then just parallel them up to the existing parking/running lights. (There's nothing to stop you displaying amber running lights on the front, it's just that they don't count as the officially required parking lights.)
Side marker lights aren't required by law here, but they are perfectly acceptable, so there's no need to disconnect them.
I understand they make you fix structural rust (Neither of mine have any) but do they get nitpicky, because they can, about ALL of the rust spots?
It should only fail if the rust affects structural integrity, or if it leaves the body work in a state which is considered dangerous to pedestrians, etc.
One of them has a minor but detectable exhaust leak. Are they going to jump all over this or can I let it slide?
It depends how minor. Tiny leaks shouldn't be a failure, but obviously open to a degree of interpretation by the inspector.
You can read the actual wording of the current MoT inspection manual here:
http://www.motuk.co.uk/manual/contents.htmWhat are the differences for the motorcycle? I hear that UK bikes do not have front running lights, is that about it?
Not required by law I believe, but motorcycles are a little out of my league. Again, the MoT manual can be found here for details:
http://www.motuk.co.uk/manual/mc_contents.htmHope that helps a little.
