Reverse lights

Post by **T25-GTi** » 24 Apr 2008, 06:36

Hi, we're pretty new and only had our van for a few weeks, and it wasn't till this weekend that i realised the van doesn't have any reversing lights?

So at first i thought it may just require new bulbs, so stripped the rear light units off and where the reverse bulbs should go, there are no connectors in the bulb sockets? so it looks like there has never been any reverse lights, also the light covers don't have any clear glass for reverse lights, so i'm a bit stumped.

The van is a left hand drive that came from italy in 1999, and has managed to get through its mot ok since then.

But just wondered if it is an mot requirement and if the last owners have just been lucky? or whether if its never had any, that they are not required?

Anyone else had the same problem?

Cheers. Rob

Post by **chriscburgess** » 24 Apr 2008, 07:44

No - Reversing lights are not part of the MOT. I just got my MOT this week and my lights don't work either.

I checked with the garage first as I was panicking as I could not get them working and they confirmed they do not check them.

Enjoy the van

Post by **Wavehead** » 24 Apr 2008, 11:08

I have a similar (albeit intermittent) problem with my reverse lights ... assume its a sticky switch when you select reverse. Never worried about the mot.

Post by **T25-GTi** » 24 Apr 2008, 20:16

Thanks for the replies, hopefully it'll be ok then

, was getting worried ver the complexities of having to wire one up. Regards Rob

Post by **Syncro G** » 25 Apr 2008, 13:22

Some of the european vans didn't have reversing lamps (german police/postoffice or something? probubly others aswell) and I have seen a van with only one too, that sounds like what you've got. The lenses inbord of the indicators are red. Don't know if they have the wireing inside that but from what you say they don't - wouldn't be surprised, its the same with the side that doesn't have a foglamp (you need one of them (on the right), and abveously all the other rear lights are needed. Chances are your van has the wires for a reversing lamp going into the rear clusters so if you want them you can just change the houseings and they'll probubly just work. You could then swap the red clusters with someone who wants to look different - they are RARE! Ebay it is then!

Post by **T25-GTi** » 26 Apr 2008, 07:43

Cheers, Yeh they do look different so i think we'll keep them if we don't require a reverse light by law.
We've got a seperate rear fog light as you say on the osr so thats ok.

Post by **Mocki** » 26 Apr 2008, 07:51

not that rare, i know of at least 3 other vans on here with them........

personally id rather see whats behind me in the dark.......