Reverse lightbulb change on Mini Clubman Cooper

home_bird

Morning all

Just noticed the reverse light on drivers side doesn't come on when reversing. I know it could be that there is a problem with the switch but before I take it to the garage, i would like to change the bulb myself in case it has blown.

I am a complete novice re. car things so I was wondering how easy it is to do, and where would I get a bulb from? And if all else fails, can I just take it to a local garage, rather than to Mini?

It's a 13 plate petrol in case that makes a difference.

Thanks for your help in advance.

tykesi

Are you sure it definitely has two? If so and the other light is working it's not the switch.

You will be able to buy a new bulb from any local motor factors which are likely to be much cheaper than Halfords and much MUCH cheaper than Mini.

To find out what bulb you need take the old one with you, open the back door(s) and there should be an access panel to the rear of the light cluster, remove this and locate the reverse bulb, take it out and buy a new one which is exactly the same. Replace the bulb and access panel and test - simples!

Google bulb replacement for your specific model, I'm sure there'll be instructions or a you tube video on how to do it.

Strider590

Get it sorted certainly, but note it's not required to pass an MOT, so don't feel rushed into paying someone silly money to do a job that should be very simple.

As long as your NOT one of those idiots that reverses out into the main road in the morning, then it's not really essential.

Once you have the bulb out, you'll be able to tell if it's blown, as the wire element inside the bulb will be broken/burnt.

I just bought a pack of 10 P21W bulbs and 10 W5W bulbs for less than £3 on eBay.
Admittedly it's a bit of a pain because you have to include the line "-LED" to avoid getting half a million results for cheap/nasty LED bulbs that don't work in many modern cars.

But I reckon the same would be well over £20 at Halfrauds.

home_bird

Thank you for your replies.:T

I will certainly look for a tutorial on u tube. Don't want to pay silly money for such a small thing. There's always my very capable neighbour who'll help me if I get stuck. Unfortunately, hubby is useless at this sort of thing.

AdrianC

I think you'll find that there is only one. Looking at pics of the rear, it looks as if the driver's side pair to the reversing light is the fog light. Not uncommon.

vikingaero

As Adrian has said the MINI Clubman only has one reversing light on the near side and the drivers side is a foglight. I know as I own one!

enfield_freddy

what a sad photo


the original mini clubman was a mini saloon with different bonnet/wings/front panel
the mini that was "elongated" and had a (pair of) rear door(s) as opposed to a boot lid was the mini countryman

AdrianC

enfield_freddy wrote: »

the original mini clubman was a mini saloon with different bonnet/wings/front panel
the mini that was "elongated" and had a (pair of) rear door(s) as opposed to a boot lid was the mini countryman

It's only seven years since BMW launched that...

enfield_freddy

and about 50 yrs since the original mini countryman https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5060/5511312511_6c7a1edfa0_b.jpg


and the 1975 mini clubman http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/98/Mini_Clubman_1980.JPG


and don,t the new car makers "love" to use older car names , even when they get them wrong

Cornucopia

Halford's charge £6.99 to change a bulb (I think it's a fixed price irrespective of how tricky a job it is).

home_bird

AdrianC and vikingaero

So when I reverse and only one reverse light comes on (passenger side) is normal on my Mini Clubman?