MINI white taillamps failed MOT

[Pistachio]

I have just had my BMW MIni failed on some brakes but also for no rear red reflectors!! It never failed before since being registered in 2002 and was supplied with the white tail lamps by BMW as a special edition. So whats the score anybody had similar?
Isnt it BMW's job to make sure the car complies with the law?
(NB If this has cropped up before apologies)
pix attached for ref not my own

[Theflyer]

Never seen those on a Mini before.

100% sure that is factory?

[Shmee]

All cars in the UK must have red rear reflectors, even if they are stick on things just to pass the MOT. I'm not sure it can have come completely without any, even Astons like the DBS that have completely clear lights have to have silly red reflectors elsewhere.

[Pistachio]

Theflyer said:

Never seen those on a Mini before.

100% sure that is factory?

Yep came from a an authorised BMW dealer as an approved second hand car. We bought as second owner 2 years after first sold by the same dealer
I have seen others like this also. But strange that it has only be picked up 10 years after on an MOT and also that BMW havent recalled the car

Edited by Pistachio on Tuesday 29th November 12:56

[5lab]

I can't see the pic, but does the rear bumper have red rear reflectors in it? what was the special edition?

[Theflyer]

Pistachio said:

Yep came from a an authorised BMW dealer as an approved second hand car. We bought as second owner 2 years after first sold by the same dealer

So it's not a factory fit then.

[Dr Interceptor]

These are them...



They are not a factory fit item, but they are an OEM accessory. It is a legal requirement to have a red reflector on the rear of your car, not having one will be an MOT fail.

When you buy the clear MINI lights, a pair of red reflectors are included as part of the kit to be mounted on the bumper. They do look crap though, so most don't fit them.

Either find a new MOT centre, or fit a pair of red reflectors. Bear in mind though, you might be running an insurance risk if something were to happen like your car being hit whilst parked on the street - and the reflectors werent fitted.

[Pistachio]

doogz said:

Pistachio said:

Theflyer said:

Never seen those on a Mini before.

100% sure that is factory?

Yep came from a an authorised BMW dealer as an approved second hand car. We bought as second owner 2 years after first sold by the same dealer

That doesn't mean they're not aftermarket parts the original owner fitted.

No it was a dealer item offered by the BMW from new

[Pistachio]

5lab said:

I can't see the pic, but does the rear bumper have red rear reflectors in it? what was the special edition?

No red reflectors in my bumper.

[Theflyer]

So it's just been fitted incorrectly then.

[Pistachio]

Theflyer said:

Pistachio said:

Yep came from a an authorised BMW dealer as an approved second hand car. We bought as second owner 2 years after first sold by the same dealer

So it's not a factory fit then.

Not sure but BMW approved accessory and sold as a road legal car.

[VeeDub Geezer]

Dr Interceptor said:

These are them...



They are not a factory fit item, but they are an OEM accessory. It is a legal requirement to have a red reflector on the rear of your car, not having one will be an MOT fail.

When you buy the clear MINI lights, a pair of red reflectors are included as part of the kit to be mounted on the bumper. They do look crap though, so most don't fit them.

Either find a new MOT centre, or fit a pair of red reflectors. Bear in mind though, you might be running an insurance risk if something were to happen like your car being hit whilst parked on the street - and the reflectors werent fitted.

This.

[Dr Interceptor]

Pistachio said:

No red reflectors in my bumper.

For reference, the clear lamps have never been included as part of a 'special edition'.

As per my post above, you need to fit a pair of red reflectors.

[Pistachio]

doogz said:

Pistachio said:

5lab said:

I can't see the pic, but does the rear bumper have red rear reflectors in it? what was the special edition?

No red reflectors in my bumper.

Hence the fail.

But it never failed before over the last 7 years of MOT's

[Dr Interceptor]

Pistachio said:

But it never failed before over the last 7 years of MOT's

Because the MOT tester didn't pick up on it... this tester has, and has failed your car.

You should therefore have 10 days to go to Halfords, buy a pair of reflectors, fit them, get a free retest and a pass.

[Pistachio]

Dr Interceptor said:

Pistachio said:

No red reflectors in my bumper.

For reference, the clear lamps have never been included as part of a 'special edition'.

As per my post above, you need to fit a pair of red reflectors.

Yep this is being done, but why did the BMW dealer sell the car without it being road legal??

[Frik]

Theflyer said:

So it's just been fitted incorrectly then.

Or the previous owner removed them.

Either way it would appear that the dealer sold you a car that was not road legal. This should be interesting.

[jagracer]

Pistachio said:

No red reflectors in my bumper.

There's a similar picture on google and it has two reflectors at the bottom of the bumper mounted around half way from the centre to outside of the car

Edited by jagracer on Tuesday 29th November 13:07

[Dr Interceptor]

Pistachio said:

Yep this is being done, but why did the BMW dealer sell the car without it being road legal??

Because they traded the car in, valeted it, put it on their forecourt and sold it to you...

You can't blame a dealer for not spotting something so minor.

[ZesPak]

Dr Interceptor said:

When you buy the clear MINI lights, a pair of red reflectors are included as part of the kit to be mounted on the bumper. They do look crap though.

So they fit the theme of the clear lights.