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Do you need reverse light for MOT?

Do you need reverse light for 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. Although a spare wheel is not a requirement for an MOT check – a ‘space saver’ spare fitted as a road wheel will not pass.

How do you check a reversing light on a car?

If the lights were added after the car was made, the switch may be a manually operated one mounted on the dash. To check the reverse switch is working correctly, turn the ignition on and select reverse gear. Connect one side of the test lamp to earth and probe each terminal in turn. The switch should illuminate when each terminal is touched.

What do you need to know about reverse lights?

Reverse lights on a vehicle must be white in color, and these come standard on all vehicles. If you need to test your reverse lights but do not have anyone around to help, there is a way you can do it by yourself. Turn the ignition switch to the “on” position (without starting it), then put the transmission in reverse with the parking brake on.

How many terminals does a reverse light switch have?

This type of switch has two terminals. On an automatic gearbox the switch is similar in appearance but usually has four terminals instead of two. Two are for the reverse light circuit and two for the inhibitor switch circuit which prevents the car being started in any gear position other than ‘N’ or ‘P’.

What happens when two reversing lights go together?

If the bulb still fails to light, the fuse may have blown. You should also suspect a blown fuse if two reversing lights go together. In many cases the fuse protecting the reversing lights also covers other accessories (see your car handbook to find out which ones).

How do you find a switched fuse on a car?

Locate a switched fuse that reads cold while your engine is turned off. Put your key back into the ignition and turn it to the on position. You don’t necessarily need to start the engine though. Probe the fuse again: if it lights up, great! You have double checked that this fuse is a switched fuse.

If the lights were added after the car was made, the switch may be a manually operated one mounted on the dash. To check the reverse switch is working correctly, turn the ignition on and select reverse gear. Connect one side of the test lamp to earth and probe each terminal in turn. The switch should illuminate when each terminal is touched.

Reverse lights on a vehicle must be white in color, and these come standard on all vehicles. If you need to test your reverse lights but do not have anyone around to help, there is a way you can do it by yourself. Turn the ignition switch to the “on” position (without starting it), then put the transmission in reverse with the parking brake on.

If the bulb still fails to light, the fuse may have blown. You should also suspect a blown fuse if two reversing lights go together. In many cases the fuse protecting the reversing lights also covers other accessories (see your car handbook to find out which ones).

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Ruth Doyle