2013 MOT - Front fog lights?

[Smudger]

Just a quickie, 'er indoors had her car MOTd today, and they pulled her up on a smashed front foglight. Now, it passed last year with it smashed (I've been waiting for her to buy a new one so I can fit it), but the bloke said that it wasn't included in the test last year, but it is this year. Is this right? Rear fogs, yes, I can see their mandatory but I see fronts as an accessory, not a necessity.

Was he right, or was it single female treatment?

[kalniel]

Advisory or fail?

[Smudger]

Fail. As in 'It's failed, we can replace it, you'll owe us £xx...'

[chuckskull]

Well it's a weird one. Technically front fogs aren't part of an MOT but equally technically non-working lights are a traffic offence, even if they're just bolt ons. All lights should be working. It's the kind of thing an insurance adjuster would screw you on too. So get it fixed.

http://www.motuk.co.uk/mot_testing.htm

EDIT: Failing her and asking for money is the single female treatment deffo. It's not a MOT fail. It's considered an auxiliary lamp not a position lamp. With the usual caveat IANAL.

[kalniel]

Fail. As in 'It's failed, we can replace it, you'll owe us £xx...'

Doesn't sound right. Ask him if he/the MOT station minds being named in your report to a national motoring magazine then fire an email to honest john or similar.

[kalniel]

Well it's a weird one. Technically front fogs aren't part of an MOT but equally technically non-working lights are a traffic offence, even if they're just bolt ons. All lights should be working. It's the kind of thing an insurance adjuster would screw you on too. So get it fixed.

http://www.motuk.co.uk/mot_testing.htm

EDIT: Failing her and asking for money is the single female treatment deffo.

But according to that they're not even on the list of lamps to check

Front and rear position lamps, End Outline Marker Lamps and registration plate lamps
Stoplamps
Rear Fog Lamps
Direction indicators and hazard warning devices
Rear reflectors
Audible Warning (Horn)
Headlamps
Headlamp aim
Electrical Wiring and Battery

[Smudger]

I thought as much. The last time I checked, the actualy light was still working, it's just the glass had been smashed by a stone chip or summat.

[chuckskull]

But according to that they're not even on the list of lamps to check

It's one of those stupid quirks n the law. it's not tested in the MOT but if you're caught driving with only 1 functioning, it's a fixed penalty notice or a 'fix it' if bobby's in a good mood.

[kalniel]

It's one of those stupid quirks n the law. it's not tested in the MOT but if you're caught driving with only 1 functioning, it's a fixed penalty notice or a 'fix it' if bobby's in a good mood.

So advisory would be the correct response from the station then?

[chuckskull]

So advisory would be the correct response from the station then?

Yup.

[chuckskull]

Because my google-fu was failing me a minute ago;

https://www.gov.uk/getting-an-mot/pr...ur-test-result
http://www.vosa.gov.uk/vosa/contactu...ompliments.htm

[filbert]

I've seen this before when I was testing, I said I could fail it if I wanted.

So everyone said no you can't it's not testable, I'm not sure what is/not testable now as I've not done them for a while, still we'll take it they're not testable still(don't think they are).

So the fog light as a fog light is not testable but as part of the body it is, you say it's cracked so the tester can refuse to do a brake test as the glass could fall out and damage his equipment or assistant, so now the tester can fail it as not completing the test.

If you remove it or the glass it will then pass.

[HalloweenJack]

You can't include an item in the MOT if its not a requirement under the Constructions and Use regulations.

[Agent]

What is the code that it's failed on? It will be next to the item on the report.

[chuckskull]

Filbert makes a good point, anything sharp or loose on the car will be a legit fail. I assumed the only problem were lens missing and not lighting up any more.

Better link with 2012 and 2013 changes highlighted. http://www.motester.co.uk/mot-inform...st-checks-list Still only refers to required lamps, not accessories.

I suppose at a stretch you could argue with them all on the beam pattern is incorrect, but it is a stretch and still more in advisory territory. Unless you've done something odd like have them come on with the headlights.

[GoNz0]

you can tape over both for a retest but tbh your Mrs is lazy if she waited over a year to replace a damaged lens, she would be well pissed off if the car in fronts fog light glass fell out and took out 2 of her tyres wouldn't she ?

Take the hint and replace the light.