Side reflectors

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2

 Good morning.am i right in thinking that clear side reflectors are only leagal if wired to the sidelights so they show an orange light at night ??

cheers,advice welcome

3

As far as I understand what I have read you are correct.

4

 

 Are side reflectors compulsory on a vehicle this length , I think not .

White light must not be visible from the rear .

Regards JJ. 

5

 you are right but they come with orange bulbs which can be wired either to the indicators or sidelights,dont know which is correct

6

Forgive me for my confusion but i assumed reflectors don’t have bulbs as the plastic is reflective? Apologies in advance if i am missing something.

With side repeaters/indicators if the orange plastic is changed then an orange bulb needs to be inside

7

yes the plastic is reflective but they have bulb holders in them with orange bulbs,i thought i read somewhere that they were only legal if they light up but dont know what to?

the origionals are just orange so dont need to light up

8

i assume you have a mk1 or 2 as euro3s don’t have side reflectors so can’t investigate the set up with mine

hope you get a proper answer soon Cool

9

 Hi Mate,car is a 54 plate 2.5

10

I stand corrected, I have done a little research and it would appear under UK law side reflectors are not required. With this in mind the follow is from the UK MOT testers handbook (http://www.ukmot.com/1-4.asp#Text_top)

1.4 Reflectors
Information Method of Inspection Reason for rejection
This inspection applies to: Obligatory rear reflectors only, that is, those required by regulations to be fitted. 1. Check that two red reflectors are fitted to the rear of the vehicle, symmetrically one on each side. 1. There are not two red reflectors facing to the rear or not fitted symmetrically, one on each side of the vehicle.
Exemptions
Rear reflectors are not required by regulations if the vehicle is not fitted with any front or rear position lamps etc. (see section 1.1). 2. Check that each reflector is a. facing to the rear 2. A reflector
a. not facing the rear
b. in good working order and clean condition b. not in good working order or in clean condition, ie so damaged or deteriorated that its function is impaired
Optional reflectors
Optional reflectors Any additional reflectors fitted to a vehicle other than reflectors required by regulations are not included in the inspection. c. not obscured  Note: At least 50% of the reflecting surface must be visible from the rear c. obscured
d. securely fitted d. insecure
Approval mark
The inspection does not include a check that reflectors have the appropriate approval mark. Reflective tape Reflective tape is not acceptable as a substitute for a rear reflector. e. not obviously incorrectly positioned Note: The precise position of rear reflectors is not part of the inspection, but visually check that all reflectors are at about i. the same height, and ii. the same distance inboard from the side of the vehicle e. obviously incorrectly positioned

 

I read that as the side reflectors are not part of the MOT and as they are considered optional / additional it does not matter if they are white, amber or red.

Robbie, what do you make of it?

11

 Both of mine are wired up with clear and orange bulbs that indicate,and before that many many moons ago before the clear jobs hit the market i had miata ones wired to indicate some 20 odd years ago,i never been pulled and never failed an MOT with them like this,and i’m sure if there was a major problem my MOT guy would of slapped my hand by now???

12

 

 

Not strictly true. Optional lights are covered by the vehicle lighting regulations and must be amber but can be red if within 1m of the rear of the vehicle.   

13

 Stephen,

If you wire them up as you’re planning you’ll be fine (i.e. all orange). I looked into it before doing mine and was advised this was ok, plus it’s how all Volvo’s are done, so has to be UK road legal. Mine’s since passed a number of MOT’s fine.

I was advised, if I’d wired them up as stock (i.e. left the rears red) there would be an issue. How true I don’t know - it was surplus information as asthetically I wanted them all the same colour, and orange…

Hope you’ve got clarity?

Rich.

14

 Thanks Rich,that is the intentioni ran it past our mot testers and looked in manual so should be ok

thanks for your time