Fog light

[Bumpa]

The UK regs on rear fog lights state that there should be 100 mm minimum distance between the bulb of the fog light and the bulb of the brake light. I wonder if Allan's use of the reflector meets that requirement? Not that any MOT man is likely to quibble about it.

[Ian F]

Wasn't there a reply from Allan here yesterday?

Perhaps I was dreaming?

Ian F

[Bourne]

Wasn't there a reply from Allan here yesterday?

Perhaps I was dreaming?

Ian F

There was. He responded to Mike /Bumpa’s point then talked about how his car had pasted MoT’s despite a modification he’d made.

I can’t see the post either.

[Ian F]

Very odd. Perhaps Allan was able to withdraw that posting?
Please let us know Allan!

Ian F

[Allan T]

Apologies for the unintended mysterious ghost-post - I'd never heard about the 100mm rule Mike mentions, and was concerned about leading anyone into a life of mischief and wrong-doing!

Here's the history for your consideration.

I bought my MGB from a private seller in May 2000, and he kindly delivered it to an MG specialist garage who'd looked after my Midget for the previous twenty two years, for a service and a few changes. One ingenious item they added to the planned worklist was the rear fog lights. There were three qualified MOT testers at that garage including the man who added the lights, and the car was MOT'd before I drove it away a couple of weeks later. It had never crossed my mind til now the lights might not be legal. I stayed with that garage for a further seventeen years - thirty nine years in total.

Since the addition of the fog lights, to date the car has passed twenty five MOTs at four different Test Centres, with at least six different testers, with no mention of the 100mm.

I still think it's a very neat idea, and I'm happy the garage did it.

But it seems to be contrary to the regulations.

And are the views of an outlaw worth hearing?


Allan

[Ian F]

Thanks Allan.

I wonder if this may revolve around the fact that cars of this age don't need to have a rear fog light, and so it never gets to be part of the MoT test?

Always worth hearing from outlaws by the way!!

Ian F

[Bumpa]

It seems you're right Ian. I had always thought that if a fog lamp was fitted it must work and comply with the regs. But looking at the MOT inspector's handbook under the relevant section (1.3) it says:
This inspection applies to the one rear fog lamp which is required to be fitted to the centre or offside of vehicles first used on or after 1 April 1980.

Sttrangely, in this handbook there is no mention of the distance from the stop light. I only saw that in The Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations 1989 which are available on the web. https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/198 ... chedule/11

[Issug987]

If you fit a light to the reflector position, does that not do away with the reflector?

[Allan T]

If you fit a light to the reflector position, does that not do away with the reflector?

It doesn't.

The reflector part of the lens reflects light falling on it from behind as before.

And transmits light from the LED or bulb inside.

Allan

[Issug987]

Do you have a picture?