Disco 300TDi reverse light problems

There's a discussion in this group - "aux lighting and the law" - which includes a couple of people stating that the reverse light is not part of the MoT, although I understand that it *is* part of the regulations for a road-going vehicle which can be checked by police or a roadside DVLA checkpoint.

On the actuator switch - I had the exact same symptoms (on a Disco 300Tdi manual) and my friendly local LR mechanic replaced the switch at cost when he was doing other things to the car - so I don't think it can take very long! Sorry, don't know where he did it from, inside or outside.

Kieran Turner composed the following;:

If lights are fitted, they must work. Simple really .. ;)

In article , Paul - xxx writes

Wrong .! Reverse lights are not part of the MOT test.

Just as factory fitted front fog lamps and spot lamps are not part of the MOT.

The R380 reverse light switch is not adjustable, but can be got at from underneath with a bit of effort.

OK a little question if I had a Rover 800 which has 2 tail lights bulbs on each side I take it in for MOT and the n/s/r outer lamp doesn't work and the o/s/r inner lamp doesn't work (making it obvious that 1 bulb each side was out) Would this be a pass or a fail?

Andy.Smalley composed the following;:

Legally, I dunno .. but as the light unit still works as a brake light, then I'd say it's a pass. I could easily be wrong though.

Isn't this why many companies are now producing LED cluster brake lights for PSV's etc .. if they have 20 LED's in them, they can blow 19 before they _need_ to change the lgiht unit or 'bulb', so in theory they last

The NZ WOF (MOT equivalent) rules state than not less than 80% of the LED's must be working.

The major reasons for LED lights are reliability, lower current draw and voltage independance (ie a trailer can be used on a 12V or 24V vehicle without needing bulbs changed or voltage reducers fitted).

On or around Tue, 25 Jan 2005 16:33:45 -0000, "Andy.Smalley" enlightened us thusly:

I'd expect a fail. I get failed for only 1 of 2 number plate lamps operational on a regular basis.

ain't there something in C&U about lights being symmetrical, as well?

Yep - I would have been failed last year for only having 1 on the Disco - except the tester was a nice bloke at a proper Landie specialist so he naturally slotted a replacement bulb in.

In fact, the holder is just rubbish and the new bulb, just like the old one, is loose... must sort that... sometime...

Actually, I've been thinking of getting LED replacements, and the number plate lamps seem like a safe enough place to do a little test before changing anything else.

:) K

This was one of the questions on my exam and the vehicle would pass as for the no plate lamp I personally thinks it's a stupid rule that it should fail even if 1 bulb is out so tend to be a bit lenient on that side

Austin Shackles composed the following;:

But aren't they two discreet lamps, not a single lamo with two bulbs?

On or around Wed, 26 Jan 2005 07:58:08 -0000, "Paul - xxx" enlightened us thusly:

not always. I've been failed for one 2-bulb lamp having one failed bulb. I'm surprised you can get away with unmatched rear lights, too.

If one number plate light out of two is not working, remove or hide failed one......... Richard

It's down to the stupidity of the mot test like brake lights( the multi bulb/led ones) if 1 bulb is working out of 36, it's a pass as it's classed as a complete lamp not individual lights here's a tip for you if you have an addition brake light that doesn't work, like in a spoiler or something, tell the tester it's not wired up he can't fail it.

I remember when the HBOL was actually good - I had one that told you how to rewire your dynamo!! TonyB