Non-working front fog lights OK on pre-2018 car?
Discussion
I've got a race car I need to get MOTd, 2004 RX-8. It has front fog lights but they don't work - the wiring's been cut, so will be a bit of a pain to get them working and I don't need them. (Don't think I can remove them due to race regs).
Looking here it says that the front fog lights aren't inspected for a pre-2018 car: https://www.motester.co.uk/mot-test-of-lights/
However the text of the individual requirements suggest it's OK not to have them, but if they're there they need to be working.
Can anyone confirm if non-working front fog lights are a problem for a pre-2018 car?
Looking here it says that the front fog lights aren't inspected for a pre-2018 car: https://www.motester.co.uk/mot-test-of-lights/
However the text of the individual requirements suggest it's OK not to have them, but if they're there they need to be working.
Can anyone confirm if non-working front fog lights are a problem for a pre-2018 car?
They don't have to work for an MOT. Construction and use regulations say any lights fitted to a vehicle including aftermarket fogs and spots must work although I've never known anyone get a ticket from plod for them not working.
MOT regulations are based on construction and use but don't apply all regulations.
MOT regulations are based on construction and use but don't apply all regulations.
imagineifyeswill said:
They don't have to work for an MOT. Construction and use regulations say any lights fitted to a vehicle including aftermarket fogs and spots must work although I've never known anyone get a ticket from plod for them not working.
MOT regulations are based on construction and use but don't apply all regulations.
That's not correct at all, nothing to do with construction and use regs. MOT regulations are based on construction and use but don't apply all regulations.
All lamps that are fitted must be working, however it is permissable to deliberately disable non mandatory lamps (ie not just that they are corroded or a blown bulb). From your description of cut wires that is what has been done.
(Qualified automotive engineer)
Probably best to ask here for the correct answer:
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Should be OK on pre 2018 car according to
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/mot-inspection-manual-...
Best to check at an MOT station though.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/mot-inspection-manual-...
Best to check at an MOT station though.
As per the posts above, the front driving / fog lights, on my '91 205 GTI, were purely decorative after they stopped working due to aging dodgy plug contacts / wiring in 2010. I disconnected them, as i never used them anyway, and it went on to pass every MOT since then without being mentioned.
Although - for originality sake - i finally decided i might as well get them fixed / working a few weeks back with new units, wiring, etc, as other wiring was being sorted so it made sense to do it in one go. Although i doubt they'll ever get used
Although - for originality sake - i finally decided i might as well get them fixed / working a few weeks back with new units, wiring, etc, as other wiring was being sorted so it made sense to do it in one go. Although i doubt they'll ever get used
Strange - I'll imminently have a similar question.
I've grabbed an oil cooler which, for ideal airflow, requires fog light removal.
I'm wondering if I can get by an MOT with a single fog light operational, or perhaps with a "Halo" style LED on one side.
I was looking at the MOT Regs and I can't see anything referencing that front fogs must be a pair, but law of common sense dictates...
(That is on a 2019 Car, so they are a tested item, Unless I remove both?)
I've grabbed an oil cooler which, for ideal airflow, requires fog light removal.
I'm wondering if I can get by an MOT with a single fog light operational, or perhaps with a "Halo" style LED on one side.
I was looking at the MOT Regs and I can't see anything referencing that front fogs must be a pair, but law of common sense dictates...
(That is on a 2019 Car, so they are a tested item, Unless I remove both?)
[quote=Little Pete]Not a testable item on a vehicle first registered before 1st of March 2018, you’ll be fine.
Has the law changed? Back in the early 90’s when I used to prepare Peugeot 205GTI rally cars, the first thing we did is remove the little under bumper front spot lights, and cover the hole with plastic Hella light covers.
The MOT people told us that if the lights were there they had to work properly, and not dazzle or what ever. Removing them was not a problem.
Has the law changed? Back in the early 90’s when I used to prepare Peugeot 205GTI rally cars, the first thing we did is remove the little under bumper front spot lights, and cover the hole with plastic Hella light covers.
The MOT people told us that if the lights were there they had to work properly, and not dazzle or what ever. Removing them was not a problem.
Haltamer said:
Strange - I'll imminently have a similar question.
I've grabbed an oil cooler which, for ideal airflow, requires fog light removal.
I'm wondering if I can get by an MOT with a single fog light operational, or perhaps with a "Halo" style LED on one side.
I was looking at the MOT Regs and I can't see anything referencing that front fogs must be a pair, but law of common sense dictates...
(That is on a 2019 Car, so they are a tested item, Unless I remove both?)
Front fog lights were historically kerb-side only and worked well to, well, light up the kerb. We don’t get much fog in the last few decades, I have used mine about 3 times since 1998 (when my cars first had front dogs as standard).I've grabbed an oil cooler which, for ideal airflow, requires fog light removal.
I'm wondering if I can get by an MOT with a single fog light operational, or perhaps with a "Halo" style LED on one side.
I was looking at the MOT Regs and I can't see anything referencing that front fogs must be a pair, but law of common sense dictates...
(That is on a 2019 Car, so they are a tested item, Unless I remove both?)
As a side note: we have a McDonalds near us, and the drive-through is up high, on the left, and facing you. Consequentially dipped headlights were quite strong to passing cars. They (were made to?) put up a fence to shield passing drivers.
The testers manual is public domain. I know, reading is harder than writing an internet question.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/mot-inspection-manual-...
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/mot-inspection-manual-...
You'll be fine - just explain to the tester they've been permanently disabled.
My road legal Clio race car has had it's front fogs removed so we can run proper brake cooling ducts, which most of the Clio boys also do.
Which race series are you running that says you need fogs out of interest?
My road legal Clio race car has had it's front fogs removed so we can run proper brake cooling ducts, which most of the Clio boys also do.
Which race series are you running that says you need fogs out of interest?
Pica-Pica said:
Should be OK on pre 2018 car according to
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/mot-inspection-manual-...
Thanks I'd not come across that. This part also gives me hope:https://www.gov.uk/guidance/mot-inspection-manual-...
Front fog lamps that are not wired up and do not have a corresponding switch are not required to work. If you are not sure that they’re connected, you should give the benefit of the doubt.
It's already a bit difficult to get MOTd with the harnesses and lack of airbags - my local garage wouldn't do it - the less grey areas the better.
DartyBistard said:
You'll be fine - just explain to the tester they've been permanently disabled.
My road legal Clio race car has had it's front fogs removed so we can run proper brake cooling ducts, which most of the Clio boys also do.
Which race series are you running that says you need fogs out of interest?
Thanks, yeah I'll be sure to mention that. It's for the CSCC RX-8 Trophy. Regs don't say you need them specifically but they list everything you can change and front fogs aren't on the list. (You need to keep the car very stock, even still has the stereo & A/C). https://www.classicsportscarclub.co.uk/_files/ugd/...My road legal Clio race car has had it's front fogs removed so we can run proper brake cooling ducts, which most of the Clio boys also do.
Which race series are you running that says you need fogs out of interest?
Grant.C said:
DartyBistard said:
You'll be fine - just explain to the tester they've been permanently disabled.
My road legal Clio race car has had it's front fogs removed so we can run proper brake cooling ducts, which most of the Clio boys also do.
Which race series are you running that says you need fogs out of interest?
Thanks, yeah I'll be sure to mention that. It's for the CSCC RX-8 Trophy. Regs don't say you need them specifically but they list everything you can change and front fogs aren't on the list. (You need to keep the car very stock, even still has the stereo & A/C). https://www.classicsportscarclub.co.uk/_files/ugd/...My road legal Clio race car has had it's front fogs removed so we can run proper brake cooling ducts, which most of the Clio boys also do.
Which race series are you running that says you need fogs out of interest?
Just a small observation on your hyperlink to the pdf you've got one too many [ symbols at the end so it comes up as a 404
Grant.C said:
Thanks I'd not come across that. This part also gives me hope:
Front fog lamps that are not wired up and do not have a corresponding switch are not required to work. If you are not sure that they’re connected, you should give the benefit of the doubt.
It's already a bit difficult to get MOTd with the harnesses and lack of airbags - my local garage wouldn't do it - the less grey areas the better.
The testing manual can seem a bit all over the place at times but the only part you need is this. Front fog lamps that are not wired up and do not have a corresponding switch are not required to work. If you are not sure that they’re connected, you should give the benefit of the doubt.
It's already a bit difficult to get MOTd with the harnesses and lack of airbags - my local garage wouldn't do it - the less grey areas the better.
As for the test station refusing to test it
Find a tester that can read the manual, there is a section in there relating to modified vehicles and what can be removed.
Little Pete said:
Grant.C said:
Thanks I'd not come across that. This part also gives me hope:
Front fog lamps that are not wired up and do not have a corresponding switch are not required to work. If you are not sure that they’re connected, you should give the benefit of the doubt.
It's already a bit difficult to get MOTd with the harnesses and lack of airbags - my local garage wouldn't do it - the less grey areas the better.
The testing manual can seem a bit all over the place at times but the only part you need is this. Front fog lamps that are not wired up and do not have a corresponding switch are not required to work. If you are not sure that they’re connected, you should give the benefit of the doubt.
It's already a bit difficult to get MOTd with the harnesses and lack of airbags - my local garage wouldn't do it - the less grey areas the better.
As for the test station refusing to test it
Find a tester that can read the manual, there is a section in there relating to modified vehicles and what can be removed.
My wife had a 2012 BMW 1 series convertible. Used. Every option except fog lights, horrible black blanking plates in their place.
I fitted fogs for cosmetic reasons. No wiring, not even a switch!
Passed a couple of mots before px’d it.
I wonder what the dealer / next owner made of it!
Grant.C said:
Thanks, yeah I'll be sure to mention that. It's for the CSCC RX-8 Trophy. Regs don't say you need them specifically but they list everything you can change and front fogs aren't on the list. (You need to keep the car very stock, even still has the stereo & A/C). https://www.classicsportscarclub.co.uk/_files/ugd/...
that looks like a cool series - best of luck with the build and racing mate.Gassing Station | Speed, Plod & the Law | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff