MOT tomorrow brake light question

londonice

Hi, 
I had a failed right brake light bulb so went to buy a replacement. Halfords site specified incorrect ones so I'm going through a quandary. 
I recognise that a failed bulb will fail the mot. However a disconnected light would be overlooked as long as there's two working brake lights. Or so I think. So I've removed the bulb completely. 
Could anyone with knowledge please advise me if this is correct?
Thanks

Bigwheels1111

I had a Vectra estate, it had 2 stop lights in the boot panel and 1 in each wing and a central brake light in the spoiler.
The boot lights would burn out all the time, Bulbs and melt the light unit.

Replacement unit was £300 X 2 agh.
But as you said, no bulbs are a pass if the ones in the wings work.

400ixl

londonice said:

Hi, 
I had a failed right brake light bulb so went to buy a replacement. Halfords site specified incorrect ones so I'm going through a quandary. 
I recognise that a failed bulb will fail the mot. However a disconnected light would be overlooked as long as there's two working brake lights. Or so I think. So I've removed the bulb completely. 
Could anyone with knowledge please advise me if this is correct?
Thanks

What are you counting as two working brake lights?

Are you saying one in the rear cluster and the high level brake light? Or in the example above where there are lights on both side of the car and the high level brake light?

londonice

400ixl said:

londonice said:

Hi, 
I had a failed right brake light bulb so went to buy a replacement. Halfords site specified incorrect ones so I'm going through a quandary. 
I recognise that a failed bulb will fail the mot. However a disconnected light would be overlooked as long as there's two working brake lights. Or so I think. So I've removed the bulb completely. 
Could anyone with knowledge please advise me if this is correct?
Thanks

What are you counting as two working brake lights?

Are you saying one in the rear cluster and the high level brake light? Or in the example above where there are lights on both side of the car and the high level brake light?

Left rear brake light and top....

Bigwheels1111

2 outers or 2 inners. Ignore centre light.
A working pair.
Most mot garages will charge you say £10 to supply and for a bulb.
I would go with that option if you can’t get a new bulb in the morning.

400ixl

londonice said:

Left rear brake light and top....

Don't believe that will pass. You need the two outer edges, you could remove the high level brake light.

molerat

Vehicles first used on or after 1 January 1971 must have 2 stop lamps, one on each side.

Additional stop lamps, over and above the mandatory requirements, must be tested. However, if you are not sure if they are connected, you should give the benefit of the doubt.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/mot-inspection-manual-for-private-passenger-and-light-commercial-vehicles/4-lamps-reflectors-and-electrical-equipment#section-4-3-1

So middle not working / disconnected is OK but left & right must be working.

Surely if you have removed the bulb it is easy enough to see which one you need ?

londonice

molerat said:

Vehicles first used on or after 1 January 1971 must have 2 stop lamps, one on each side.

Additional stop lamps, over and above the mandatory requirements, must be tested. However, if you are not sure if they are connected, you should give the benefit of the doubt.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/mot-inspection-manual-for-private-passenger-and-light-commercial-vehicles/4-lamps-reflectors-and-electrical-equipment#section-4-3-1

So middle not working / disconnected is OK but left & right must be working.

Your handbook will state what type of bulb is fitted.  Easy enough to find on the internet as well.

Unfortunately halfords bulb selector recommended incorrect bulbs. I'll just have to let the mot centre know!

prettyandfluffy

As above, most MOT places will replace the bulb for you prior to testing if you tell them when you book in.

baser999

I’d go with @Bigwheels1111 option as well, tell the garage you’ve noticed the brake light out so could they fit a bulb before putting the car through the MOT. If they then fail the car on that issue, kick off 😏

londonice

Thanks everyone, I went back to halfords who happily swapped the wrong bulbs, all lights are working now!!  Hope she passes the mot