MOT with rear light covers.

[Cougarbloke]

Has anyone passed an MOT with the rear light covers still on the car? I've heard that it may fail due to the relector parts of the lights being covered up?

[JetSilver]

http://www.fastcougar.com/forums/messageview.cfm?catid=80&threadid=65476

[Mac1]

Before having the rear light covers fitted I did check the legal position and was advised that they were illegal because no reflector would be visible from the rear/side.

Some cats have already gone through MOT and not been picked up.

I sorted it by cutting a hole and fitting a reflector. Does not, in my view, look as good but I didn't want the hassle of having to remove the covers and sort in the future. Nor did I want to give some over zealous PC a reason for pulling me!

This came up sometime last August through Tim Ford and at that time my car was on the Interford pics which happened to show the reflector positions.

Have just taken some pics of my car and hope to post soon. Regret I'm one of those that have never got round to pics, my scanner giving more probs than it's worth.

[Cougarbloke]

Thanks guys.

I'm off to get the MOT done and am hoping they don't notice the lack of reflectors. If they do, I'll just buy some and stick them on but take them off after the MOT.

I'll keep you posted.

[Cougarbloke]

Well, it passed with the light covers still on the car and no additional reflectors...:biggrin:

[JetSilver]

Cool :)
Ive been looking at other cars since this subject was raised a few weeks ago and some cars
have no reflectors at all that i can see.While others like the Focus have them in the bumper
:confused:

[cougarfella]

:biggrin: glad to hear you passed the mot as i have just fitted rear covers today!!

[P999LTS]

:biggrin:Reflecters are a legal requirement but are not tested as part of the MOT. There are many things not tested e.g. speedometer, fog lights etc.

Lack of a reflecter could however lead to a Fixed penalty ticket (£40.00) or a legitimate requirement for a breath test.

[JetSilver]

They are tested as part of the MOT.

Rear reflectors
There must be two reflectors fitted reasonably symmetrically, securely attached and not obscured.
* Must be fitted to all vehicles first used on or after 1st April 1986, but if fitted, must be tested.
** Must be fitted to all vehicles first used on or after 1st April 1980.

[P999LTS]

Yes, a legal requirement but not on the MOT check list

[JetSilver]

http://www.motuk.co.uk/manual_140.htm

Rear reflectors are listed as tested items.

http://www.via.gov.uk/about_us/contact_services/publications/pdf_docs/mot.docs/vt30.pdf