Car sold without legal lights

TLSH31

I bought a car from a large dealer nearly two years ago.

I took it for the first MOT today and it failed because the headlights are european and point the wrong way. Also the reverse and fog lights are the wrong way round.

The garage who MOT'd it said I should go back to the dealer and ask them to put it right as they sold me a car which isn't road legal. Are they obliged to do this? Will they have to pick the car up as it's not legal for me to drive and provide me with an alternative as I am left with no vehicle and extra costs to travel to work.

If they refuse can I get Trading Standards involved and how long does this take as I can't afford to keep the car off the road for long. However I'm told the parts and labour will be costly and I can't really afford to pay for the repair upfront!

I have spent hours on google without finding any answers to any advice would be greatfully received.

Silk

I take it the car was an import ?
Did you buy the car knowing that it was an import ?

Rolandtheroadie

I'll set myself up for a fall first.
Is it right hand drive? If it's right hand drive, how can the headlights point the wrong way? Every country in the world that drive on the right will have them pointing the same way. (Japan, Australia, Cyprus, New Zealand)
Can fog/reverse lights be a right or a wrong way round? A reverse light isnt needed for an MOT is it? So that should be out.

What is the make and model of car?

mikey72

My father had a Golf from new like that. They were changed for uk spec by the dealer at the first MOT when it was found. Just been wrongly built. But it was one owner, and dealer serviced, so there was no arguement they had been changed before anytime in it's life.

TLSH31

It's a Ford Focus.

It is right hand drive but apparently the headlights point as if it's driven on the RH side of the road. I think its the fog light which is required to be on a certain side rather than the reverse light but I'm not sure.

I had no idea it was imported it doesn't say on the V5 and no way of knowing about the lights by looking at it myself. It was only 12 months old when I bought it with one owner. I have read that you can register a car bought on continent as new in the UK as long as you do it within a certain time and it hasn't been registered previously.

As this was sold to me to drive in the UK does that mean it's not 'fit for purpose'?

I'm hoping that the dealer will agree to change them as with the Golf but I wanted to try and work out what my actual rights were before I contact them tomorrow.

Silk

Is the rear fog lamp on the O/S looking at the rear of the car or is that where the reversing lamp is ?

TLSH31

It's on the N/S but should be on the O/S

Silk

Ok,
It sounds like an import as you think ordered on the continent etc and what should have happened was the lights should have been changed when it came in and its been missed ?
It was a popular thing to do a few years ago with firms specialising in that sort of thing.
It's possible the dealer didn't notice due to human error when he sold you the car.
I suppose thinking it through the MOT station is correct that the dealer did sell you an illegaly equiped car although its probably not on purpose.
Best to contact the dealer and explain whats happened and hope for the best

1984ReturnsForReal_2

scotsman4th wrote: »

I'll set myself up for a fall first.
Is it right hand drive? If it's right hand drive, how can the headlights point the wrong way? Every country in the world that drive on the right will have them pointing the same way. (Japan, Australia, Cyprus, New Zealand)
Can fog/reverse lights be a right or a wrong way round? A reverse light isnt needed for an MOT is it? So that should be out.

What is the make and model of car?

The lamps reflect & direct the beam to cover the areas needed whilst driving on the opposite side of the road. They light up the kerbside so you can see it rather than blind all oncoming drivers...

So if the lighting isnt changed with a car from a country that drives on the right crashes happen & its the same with ours going to europe. Nothing to do with what side the steering wheel is on.

KeithP

1984ReturnsForReal wrote: »

The lamps reflect & direct the beam to cover the areas needed whilst driving on the opposite side of the road. They light up the kerbside so you can see it rather than blind all oncoming drivers...

But if the OP has never driven the car at night he wouldn't have noticed the headlights pointing at the wrong side of the road would he?;)

1984ReturnsForReal_2

KeithP wrote: »

But if the OP has never driven the car at night he wouldn't have noticed the headlights pointing at the wrong side of the road would he?;)

Obviously.

Because if he did drive it in the dark he would of noticed a few hundred people flash at him everytime & even Paris Hilton isnt that popular.

I wonder what the RTA rate is where he lives???

:eek: