^^ Good point about the dodgy wiring. Makes me wonder why it’s not standard worldwide. I also wonder how much damage is caused by people accidentally starting in gear. The official “UK highway code” technique is to put the stick in neutral, not to depress the clutch.
I’ve had a situation where pressing the clutch pedal didn’t actually disengage the clutch. Pain in the ass to drive across Massachusetts with a stuck clutch. Near the end, as I was making my way to the Worcester dealership at 11pm to drop the car off in their lot (not an Audi), my battery was on its last legs from all the stalls and then starts from red lights. This was pre-smart phone so I had my buddy direct me over the phone from his home looking at Mapquest 
My point being, having the shifter in neutral is probably a better guarantee than pressing the clutch pedal.
Same here. I don’t know why beemercer is always so worried about tech inspection. If ned were really that strict and thorough there wouldn’t be many cars running… they’d all be waiting in a two mile long lineup at tech inspection!
its not that they are strict about every little thing. on a 12.0 and up car they check the battery tie down, check the overflow tank, make sure there is nothing unsecured on the exterior (center caps and lug nut/bolt covers), check your helmet and the last thing before they write your number is they instruct you to open the door, put the car in first, and crank the car with your foot on the brake and off the clutch. Its always the last thing they do.