Wing mirrors for MOT

Verbrannt16

Hello everyone,
my car is due MOT on May 5 so I'm taking it to the mechanic this week to see what needs done. Does anyone know if both wing mirrors have to match to pass MOT? My car has had a few previous owners and the driver's side wing mirror is a different model to the passenger's side; in both cases the glass is intact and the mirror manually operatable by moving the inside toggle switch, so I'd say they're in full working order.

vax2002

All it needs to do is work if it is fitted.

Antnshell

Just incase anyone else is interested, you only need to havde drivers side wing mirror and rear view wing mirrir to pass an MOT.

I found this out this year after id spent 90plus replacing my passenger wing mirror replaced only to be told it would have passed without it!!!

Premier_2

Verbrannt16 wrote: »

Hello everyone,
my car is due MOT on May 5 so I'm taking it to the mechanic this week to see what needs done. Does anyone know if both wing mirrors have to match to pass MOT? My car has had a few previous owners and the driver's side wing mirror is a different model to the passenger's side; in both cases the glass is intact and the mirror manually operatable by moving the inside toggle switch, so I'd say they're in full working order.

How do you mean different models?

If you mean one side is red and the other green than that doesn't matter, but I'm not sure how you get an exterior mirror from a different make/model of car to fit yours? :huh:

Exterior mirrors are usually manufactured to the smallest possible size (so not to adversely affect aerodynamics & fuel economy) whilst at the same time large enough to provide at least the minimum field of view required.

So if you do somehow have different mirrors fitted, I would urge you to replace them with the correct type in the interests of safety and fuel economy

Sgt_Pepper_2

Antnshell wrote: »

Just incase anyone else is interested, you only need to havde drivers side wing mirror and rear view wing mirrir to pass an MOT.

I found this out this year after id spent 90plus replacing my passenger wing mirror replaced only to be told it would have passed without it!!!

Or two wing mirrors.

Verbrannt16

Premier wrote: »

How do you mean different models?

If you mean one side is red and the other green than that doesn't matter, but I'm not sure how you get an exterior mirror from a different make/model of car to fit yours? :huh:

Exterior mirrors are usually manufactured to the smallest possible size (so not to adversely affect aerodynamics & fuel economy) whilst at the same time large enough to provide at least the minimum field of view required.

So if you do somehow have different mirrors fitted, I would urge you to replace them with the correct type in the interests of safety and fuel economy

No I don't mean different colours; when I bought the car (second hand Seat Ibiza, year 2000), it had two different wing mirrors; one is a different size and shape, ie. slightly longer casing. Presumably one is the original and the other is a replacement from a newer Seat Ibiza or different model (Seat Leon etc), I'm not sure.

Premier_2

Verbrannt16 wrote: »

No I don't mean different colours; when I bought the car (second hand Seat Ibiza, year 2000), it had two different wing mirrors; one is a different size and shape, ie. slightly longer casing. Presumably one is the original and the other is a replacement from a newer Seat Ibiza or different model (Seat Leon etc), I'm not sure.

Exterior mirrors are not necessarily symmetrical to each other ... but it does make for a very odd looking car when they are not.

Edit: Maybe its a VW thing?

verityboo

There have been several cars with different mirrors on each side, the Mercedes 190 for example

Verbrannt16

Premier wrote: »

Exterior mirrors are not necessarily symmetrical to each other ... but it does make for a very odd looking car when they are not.

Edit: Maybe its a VW thing?

It is rather odd looking, a lot like the above pic in fact. As long as it gets me through MOT though, being the fourth owner of the car I'm not sure if those are the original mirrors.

Premier_2

... and it would appear a 2000 Seat Ibiza is another example:

LHD:


RHD:

Verbrannt16

Yes that's what they're like - and thankfully are supposed to be it would seem! Thanks for your replies everyone.