do they test sidelights in the MOT?
Thatch
Original Poster
585 posts
236 months
Saturday 19th February 2011
just put my dashboard all together, and realised the chuffing sidelights aren't working! do you think they'll let me off?
Saturday 19th February 2011
Yes they should fail the car.
However nor every MOT tester spots every fault. You could try and go for a retest if it fails just on Sidelights. But it SHOULD fail.
Saturday 19th February 2011
Before you pull the dash board back out, test if youve got live to bulb holders on the side lights,
Could just be the bulbs gone & you havent noticed before,,
Thatch
Original Poster
585 posts
236 months
Sunday 20th February 2011
yellowgriff said:
Before you pull the dash board back out, test if youve got live to bulb holders on the side lights,
Could just be the bulbs gone & you havent noticed before,,
good point.
unlikely to be the bulbs, as neither is working. I will check fuse first (although i'm not sure if side lights are on their own fuse or not)
I did fit a new side light indicator bulb on the dash (it was missing for some reason) and ironically that works fine!!!
Tuesday 22nd February 2011
Are your dash and cig lights working when you press the button? That button has 2 outputs, one for the dash and one for hte lights. For me the switch failed on the lights circuit, even thought the dash lit up the side lights outside were off (rear and front).
There was something else that I checked as well after searching from here, there is a multi-plug which can cause a similar issue, which is behind the carpet next to the passenger seat/ door pillar.
Thatch
Original Poster
585 posts
236 months
Saturday 26th February 2011
This is very annoying!
The rear side lights and dashboard indicator lights are working, but both front sidelights aren't!
So it cant be the fuse or the switch, unlikely for both front side light filaments to go at the same time, so what's gone wrong?
do the front and rear side light have independent circuits?
I'm at a loss!
Saturday 26th February 2011
Check if youve got live at the holders.. Have seen both bulbs go at same time before...
Thatch
Original Poster
585 posts
236 months
Wednesday 23rd March 2011
gavgavgav said:
...There was something else that I checked as well after searching from here, there is a multi-plug which can cause a similar issue, which is behind the carpet next to the passenger seat/ door pillar.
Sounds interesting! I will have a dig around there as that would make sense if the front and rear light circuits branch somewhere.
Other than that - it sounds like i will have to get under the wheel arches and check the live feed to the bulb (as Yellow griff suggests) - I hate the hassle it takes to get to the headlight bulbs!!!!
Thatch
Original Poster
585 posts
236 months
Wednesday 4th May 2011
yellowgriff said:
Check if youve got live at the holders.. Have seen both bulbs go at same time before...
Thanks Yellow.
Do I have to get into the lights via the hatch in the front wheel arch to do this?
Andrew
Thatch
Original Poster
585 posts
236 months
Friday 6th May 2011
Well i can confirm they do check side lights at the MOT - fail!!!
it also failed on headlight alignment!
So the garage sorted the alignment, and checked the front side light bulbs at the same time - both bulbs OK.
So i have a weekend of taking the dash out again and tracing the cable/connectors - Ho Hum!!!
Anyone know where the front and rear sidelight circuits split? (still cant work out why the rear should work when the front dont!)
cheers
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Posting Rules
It sounds like you're delving into the world of automotive maintenance and MOT testing, particularly concerning sidelights on a TVR Griffith. From the provided conversation, there's a lot to unpack here, so let's break it down:
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MOT Testing: This is an annual test in the UK ensuring vehicles meet safety, environmental, and roadworthiness standards. Sidelights are indeed checked during this inspection. They're essential for visibility and safety.
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Sidelights: These are low-intensity lights on the front and rear of a vehicle. They're used for improved visibility, especially in low-light conditions, and for signaling a vehicle's presence at night.
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Electrical Circuits: The discussion delves into troubleshooting the sidelight issue. It covers various potential causes such as faulty bulbs, fuses, switches, and wiring connections. Users explore whether the front and rear sidelights share the same circuit and discuss potential locations of multi-plugs and connections that could affect the sidelight functionality.
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Diagnostic Steps: The conversation suggests various steps for diagnosing the sidelight problem, including checking live feeds to the bulb holders, examining multi-plugs, and accessing the sidelights through the front wheel arch for inspection.
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Dashboard Lights: There's mention of the dashboard indicator lights working fine, which indicates a specific issue with the front sidelights.
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Headlight Alignment: The MOT failure includes headlight alignment, which the garage addressed, but the sidelight issue persists, leading to further investigation.
This conversation showcases a community troubleshooting a specific electrical issue with sidelights on a TVR Griffith, emphasizing the intricacies of automotive electrical systems, diagnostics, and the importance of proper functionality for MOT compliance.
My expertise lies in automotive systems and troubleshooting, particularly electrical components like lighting systems. Understanding the complexities of circuits, connections, and diagnostics allows me to navigate through discussions like these and offer insights into resolving automotive electrical issues.
FAQs
Lights. A thorough check of all your vehicle's lights could be the difference between a pass and a fail on your car's MOT test. Headlights, sidelights, indicators, fog lights, brake lights and even your vehicle registration plate lights all need to be in full working condition.
What dash lights will fail the MOT? ›
Dashboard lights indicating potential failure of your car's engine, ABS & traction systems, headlight mainbeam, brake fluid level, power steering and seatbelts can all lead to an MOT failure.
What is checked in an MOT test? ›
An MOT involves dozens of checks on your car, ranging from the brakes and fuel system to lights, mirrors, seatbelts, windscreen wipers and exhaust system. It doesn't cover the condition of the engine, clutch and gearbox.
What is the pass rate for the MOT test? ›
The average first-time MOT pass rate this year is 71.7 per cent, the figures show. Only cars with more than 1,000 MOTs to their record in 2023 have been included in the lists to ensure there is a robust sample size of the vehicles being named and shamed.
Are side marker lights part of MOT? ›
You must inspect end-outline marker lamps on vehicles first used on or after 1 April 1991 that are wider than 2,100mm, excluding side mirrors. Class 3 vehicles do not need end-outline marker lamps. The front and rear end outline marker lamps on each side can be combined in one lamp.
Are reverse lights checked on MOT? ›
The reverse light is not part of the MOT - but always worth checking. All tyres should be above the legal minimum tread of 1.6mm across three quarters of the tyre. There should be no damage - check for bulges, splits, or cuts to the sidewalls. Make sure the tyre size is the same for the rear and front tyres.
Can you drive with a side light out? ›
If you are travelling under 30MPH and in a built-up area, side lights alone are not illegal, but most conscientious drivers will put their headlights on. You must check your brake lights regularly before any journey, as blown bulbs can be a chargeable offence. You could be pulled over and cautioned.
What is the most serious warning light in a car? ›
Check Engine light
An experienced mechanic will tell you that this warning light usually means something serious has gone wrong in your car's engine or transmission. Typically, this warning light remains on, and the check-engine indicator button will need to be turned off for a day to get it working normally again.
Is a faulty speedometer an MOT failure? ›
Speedometer. It is mandatory that the speedometer is working correctly and gives an accurate reading. Your view of the speedometer must not be impaired, so if the glass has been cracked and distorts your view, your vehicle will fail its MOT test.
What does the orange triangle mean on a car? ›
General Warning Light
A common warning light that can show up is this orange or yellow triangle warning light with an exclamation mark in it. This symbol means that there is something wrong with one of the systems in your vehicle, and generally it will come on when there isn't already a preset light for that system.
Are brake pads checked as part of an MOT test? As they make up part of the most important safety feature of our cars, the braking system is thoroughly checked during an MOT test. This includes brake pads, brake discs, and callipers. Brake pads with a thickness of 3 millimetres or under should be replaced.
What is not tested on an MOT? ›
Some of the most significant areas of a vehicle that are not assessed in an MOT include the condition of the clutch, gearbox and engine (apart from the engine mountings). This is because they are not regarded as safety-critical.
Are brake discs checked on an MOT? ›
A brake disc which is worn close to its minimum thickness will result in an advisory note but will not constitute a failure. A brake disc which is worn below this minimum will be classed as a major fault, resulting in an MOT failure.
Is a minor defect a fail? ›
A minor defect on your MOT certificate means that the fault found is not severe enough to fail the test, but should be repaired as soon as possible. Minor defects can't cause an MOT failure, no matter how many are found.
What constitutes an MOT failure? ›
Your vehicle will fail if the test result lists 'dangerous' or 'major' problems with your vehicle. You might not be allowed to drive until you fix the problems. You might also get a list of 'minor' or 'advisory' problems to monitor or fix in the future.
Can I drive with a major defect? ›
A dangerous defect means the car is unroadworthy. Dangerous defects must be repaired before the car can be driven, as it's illegal to drive an unroadworthy vehicle on the road – even to or from an MOT test. Major defects will also cause your vehicle to fail the MOT test and it must be repaired immediately.
How long does it take to fix a MOT after failing? ›
You'll only need a partial retest if you take the vehicle from the test centre for repairs and take it back within 10 working days. You can be charged a partial retest fee for this. In all other cases, you'll need to get a full retest and pay the full MOT test fee again.
