Rear upper brake light - bulbs?

[Pip1968]

My wife's Mini Cooper 2006 has the thin strip brake light that sits on the upper part of the boot and one of the bulbs seems to have blown. Without taking it apart I would like to know can the small (presumably LED) bulbs be replaced or do you have to replace the whole unit?

There appear to be ten or so bulbs that light up in this unit when the brake is pressed.

Any pointers for replacement/repair most appreciated.

Pip

[DanGT]

If you are good at this sort of thing? The LEDs very rearly go wrong they should out last the car. Its is more lightly that one of the solder jounts is duff. It should be posible to resolder but I have to admit I have not fixed one on a mini yet.

[Pip1968]

Thank you for that. When I get a chance I will dismantle and inspect.

Pip

[RKDE]

The upper brake lights are sealed so you will have to prise them apart and normally the plastic breaks. I believe they are quite cheap from breakers and probably not too much from the dealer

[AOK]

My 3rd brake light on my r50 stopped working just before my MOT. Tried all sorts to try getting it to work but in the end I gave up and bought a second hand OEM unit off someone on another forum. I remember the unit I removed being very fragile. The sides of the plastic blistered off in my fingers.

THe only thing to mention, is, that if you have a roof spoiler (the standard one), you'll have to pry it off to get the brake light out.. stupidly designed imo.