Are these things MOT fails?

Joe_Horner

AdrianC wrote: »

It's worth remembering that whilst the high level brake light may not be an MOT fail, it IS still required by law to be working if present.

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1989/1796/regulation/23/made

Not quite. It must be working "if fitted", which is subtly different and why the MOT won't fail one that's not wired up. A light can be physically present on the vehicle without being "fitted" - "fitting" requires it to be connected.

There may also be a Construction & Use requirement to have one present - I think they became a legal requirement around 1998 or so in the UK, but can't find anything definitive on a quick google.

No, there's no current requirement within UK law for high level. Since 1991, they've been permitted here - before that most of them would have been illegal because they're above the maximum 1.5m height above the ground that was allowed by the RVLR schedule 12.

They now come under the "optional stop lamps" provision of that schedule, which removes the height restriction. But, as optional lamps, they don't have to be fitted even if they were original equipment.

For that matter, if you remove the side lights you can also remove all other lights (including brake lights and indicators) as long as you only drive during daylight

jaymidlands

to be safe with centre brake light put a bit of card between it and screen if you can or tape over the outside..

streetcat

MOT done and passed!!! So thanks everyone for the replies. My father in law is wiring it up today hopefully, and also fitting the reverse light switch sensor, so luckily doesn't matter too much if it's required or not by law as it shall by done

Thanks again for all the replies

Netwizard

Good result

mrmot

IanMSpencer wrote: »

You would have failed if you were showing a white light to the rear though, a slightly different issue than explicitly testing a reversing light. Is surprised how many cars have wiring issue that cause a disco effect on braking or signalling.

It wouldn't fail, only the obligatory lamps can be failed for showing white light to the rear. If the car has two rear fog lamps and the nearside one was showing white light, it can't be failed, if the offside one was showing white light it could be failed. If the reversing lamps were permanently lit the tester could only advise.

specialboy

mrmot wrote: »

It wouldn't fail, only the obligatory lamps can be failed for showing white light to the rear. If the car has two rear fog lamps and the nearside one was showing white light, it can't be failed, if the offside one was showing white light it could be failed. If the reversing lamps were permanently lit the tester could only advise.

It is an offence to show white light at the rear of a vehicle unless its reversing.

Joe_Horner

specialboy wrote: »

It is an offence to show white light at the rear of a vehicle unless its reversing.

Yes, but it's not an MOT fail unless it's coming from one of the obligatory lamps because anything else isn't tested. The exception to that is hazard lights fitted to a vehicle that doesn't legally need them (about pre-84 iirc?). In their case, even though they're not required, if they're installed they must work.

You could fit a 500w halogen spot shining straight at the driver behind for when they don't dip and it wouldn't be part of the MOT - as far as the test's concerned, it's not obligatory so it's not there.

specialboy

Permanently lit reverse lights would fail though as they are showing white light at the rear, although an untested item they shouldn't be lit all the time.

tedted

not a testable so therefore not a fail,what would your reason for failure?

streetcat

Oh quick question.

Had an advisory:

"Front brakes imbalanced requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair".

My Father in law is going to have a look at this. Judging by what I've read, it can sometimes just be a lubrication matter (not pretending to understand mind you, just what I've read).

My question is though, I've noticed other people online who had that advisory were given percentages, e.g. 20% imbalance on driver side etc? Is that important to know, as it wasn't told any percentage, so no idea how bad the imbalance is?