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Broken Top Brake Light
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I was checking my brake lights and noticed the strip of LED brake lights along the top of the back window isn't working. The regular brake lights are working fine though.
The car is new and under warranty so will be taking it to Ford dealer to get it fixed, but was just wondering on the legalities. Ideally I would want to take it to get fixed after christmas is over if I can, but not obviously if it involves driving around illegally.
Thanks.
The car is new and under warranty so will be taking it to Ford dealer to get it fixed, but was just wondering on the legalities. Ideally I would want to take it to get fixed after christmas is over if I can, but not obviously if it involves driving around illegally.
Thanks.
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Can't confirm that though.
It is not an offence to drive without one so you will be OK until after the Christmas break.
I think you'll find that if it's 'FITTED' it must work.
No, it's not a legal requirement. If it's connected it must work.
Vehicles first used on or after 1st January 1971 must be fitted with two obligatory stop lamps.
Additional stop lamps fitted and connected must be tested.
Where extra lamps are fitted and there is doubt as to whether they are connected, the benefit of this doubt should be given to the presenter.
This is from the mot testers manual.
To me, this means that you could say that you aren't sure if the other stop lamp is connected and be given the benefit of doubt.
Yes, just tell the tester it's disconnected.
You won't be stopped as the legally required 2 stop lights are working.
I think they are more interested in drink drivers this time of the year:), if they can manage in this weather.
I'm sure there are some oddities in there, particularly with rear fog lamps - if there are two fitted then at least the offside one must work? A near side not being mandatory - a single fog lamp must be either central or on the offside. I know some car manufacturers have clusters with two fog lamp apertures but only a bulb in the o/side one
Reverse lamps and front fogs are not MOT testable though.
ditto - if fitted I must be in workng order.
The same rule goes for rear seat belts. Old cars dont have them, and if not fitted there is no law to say you have to get them retro fitted,
But if they are there, they must be in working order.
By the way, modern - high intensity brake lights are LED based - so you cant simply replace a bulb - you need a whole new board fitted. Not sure, but sounds costly (never had one failed myself - they should last far better than regular bulbs).
We aren't talking about rear fog lights but you only need to have the offside (right hand) one working.
You are correct about reverse lamps and front fog lamps.
To eliminate confusion....http://www.motinfo.gov.uk/htdocs/m4s01000001.htm
As of yet.
Give it time, as sure as chickens lay eggs those bureaucratic European buffoons in Brussels will put a stop to that.
The mot test is going to get tougher in 2012, lots of new regs and testable items....they are still under discussion as I understand it.
A useful link, thanks.
A lot of cars have the third brake light with lots of small bulbs or LEDs, so interpretting this it would still pass with some of the lamps out and the high level is an 'additional lamp'. The OP said it's a new car so it wouldn't be testable for 3 years anyway, but I suppose if you got an awkward copper he might pull you over for it not working
I don't think the LED's are broken, the chances are it has just become disconnected in some way. Only I don't know the first thing about car mechanics so haven't attempted to find out what's wrong with it.
I've answered this so has another poster. It's not a legal requirement so if it's not working it doesn't matter.
But hey ho if that's what you believe, even wrongly, that's OK.