Are Reversing lights tested in a UK MOT?

[Mike E (uk)]

Hi,

The reversing lights on my 406 do not work, but it is not the bulbs.

It could be the switch, but it is too cold to investigate. MOT due in a few days- can I leave it for now or will it fail?

thanks,

Mike

[Tim Leech]

Nope, not part of the MOT.

[kiwi]

Nope, not part of the MOT.

Wow they are here in NZ! Basically if an external light is fitted it must work that includes Front Foglamps and the none compulsory fitted Rear Fog Lights.

You 100% sure the UK MOT does not include Reversing Lights?

[Dollywobbler]

Tim's definitely right. It's the only case of a light on the car that doesn't have to work. Another oddity is that the rear wiper is not a test point so clearly they don't care whether you can see what's behind you!

Given how cars are styled these days, and the way people drive, clearly a lot of people don't care what's going on behind them either...

[Vanny]

The MOT Tester website is a very very good guide to what is and isn't on the MOT.

http://www.motester.co.uk/CarOwnersGuid ... ested.aspx

In the lights section it does not list the reverse lights as a requirement for test, however it deos list else where that ANY safety device fitted to the vehicle must function correctly. This would suggest your reverse lights must work.

In the case of the rear wiper, i have a fail certificate which lists the rear wiper as a failure becuase it was fitted but the switch was knackered. I removed the wiper arm, and as this meant the wiper was no longer fitted it passed.

[citronut]

the other rear light that dose not have to work for a UK MOT is the N/S rear fog lamp, and Vanny the rear wiper is not an MOTable item in the UK, so i think the test station that failed it dont know what they are talking about

regards malcolm

[Defender110]

It's not quite that simple
There is the ' The Construction and Use a Act ' which is complicated but basically if the vehicle was manufactured with it then it should be functioning when tested this can also include accesories fitted after manufacture but before sale if a type approval certificate or cerificate of conformity applies. So in theory I would think the reverse lights on a BX should be working for test but other vehicles that were not manufactured with reverse lights wont need any to pass an MOT so generally testers may turn a blind eye. The N/S rear fog lights of most UK cars were not constructed for use and therefore not required to be working (you will find that althought there might be a n/s fog light in the cluster it will not have a working bulb holder in UK spec. cars) The same could apply to the rear wiper and the examiner could well have been within his rights to fail the car if it is fitted but not working.

[Defender110]

The MOT Tester website is a very very good guide to what is and isn't on the MOT.

http://www.motester.co.uk/CarOwnersGuid ... ested.aspx

In the lights section it does not list the reverse lights as a requirement for test, however it deos list else where that ANY safety device fitted to the vehicle must function correctly. This would suggest your reverse lights must work.

And if you watch the video on the lights test the examiner clearly reaches in the car to engage reverse and checks the reverse light on the Golf?

[macplaxton]

The MOT Tester website is a very very good guide to what is and isn't on the MOT.

http://www.motester.co.uk/CarOwnersGuid ... ested.aspx

There's also the official VOSA manual @ motinfo.gov.uk too

[macplaxton]

And if you watch the video on the lights test the examiner clearly reaches in the car to engage reverse and checks the reverse light on the Golf?

Oh no he doesn't. He reaches into the car to activate the hazard warning light switch.

[citronut]

some UK spec cars do have both rear fogs fitted and functional, but for a UK car if,when fitted the O/S rear fog has got to work, but the N/S dose not need to be wirking, and in all the many years i have worked on cars and taken then for a MOT, the rear wiper has never had to work at all,

the same for reverseing lamps,

regards malcolm

[Defender110]

And if you watch the video on the lights test the examiner clearly reaches in the car to engage reverse and checks the reverse light on the Golf?

Oh no he doesn't. He reaches into the car to activate the hazard warning light switch.

I was referring to after the hazards but I was still mistaken it was the rear fog he is activating, the brightness makes it look white in the video (on my laptop at least)

[macplaxton]

I was referring to after the hazards but I was still mistaken it was the rear fog he is activating, the brightness makes it look white in the video (on my laptop at least)

I did watch it a couple of times and couldn't see any reversers come on.

Btw, it was a tongue-in-cheek pantomime style "oh no he doesn't", but I couldn't find an emoticon for it.

[Mike E (uk)]

car failed mot, but not on the reversing lights

[macplaxton]

Care to expand....