14 replies to this topic

[giner88]

Hello, i just wanted to know if side indicators are a legal requirement, i heard as long as you can see the front indicators from the side (which you can on a mini) its fine, but i just want to make sure before i go, ripping out the lights and welding up the holes where they once were.

regards

[Artful Dodger]

depends on the year i think, what year is your mini?

[giner88]

its a 1995 sprite, which i am guessing is gunna put it in the wrong bracket

[tommy13]

Vehicles first used after 01st April 1986 are required to be fitted with side repeater lights. There were a few exceptions which had "wrap around " lenses with special E markings which were acceptable. I think the Maestro was one such vehicle, however the mini does not qualify as the front lamp has to be visible when standing 1000mm to the side of the vehicle and level with the rear bumper.

[giner88]

so you know if this is a fail on an MOT then?

[tommy13]

I should clarify my last post, the "wrap around" lens is part of the front indicator lamp. some do not have the E marking but are sitll acceptable if they can be seen from the position described. Basaically you cannot claim your front lamps are the wrap around type and as such will be an MOT fail on your vehicle if you remove the side repeaters.

Edited by tommy13, 27 November 2011 - 02:07 PM.

[giner88]

ahhh man that sucks lol i thought i was being smart getting a less rusty newer mini buuuut theres loads of little things you cant do. cheers for our help guys

[miniman24]

My 1991 City E failed for not having these, Id fitted a fibreglass front and had a dumb moment and forgot to cut the holes for the side repeaters and refit them 15 min job to do on an FG front but still annoyed at myself So I would say yours would fail

[The Matt]

And yes. It's an MOT fail.

[ryan22_lgm]

mines 88 and didnt have them when i got it. i have put a new front end on and not put them there. passes MOT fine

[The Matt]

When people post things like that, it always makes me wonder what else the MOT tester hasn't noticed!

[ryan22_lgm]

what you trying to say > ?? :S

[The Matt]

Nothing about your car in particular. Just that if he's willing to "let that go" what other cars are out there with other things he's "let go"?

[ryan22_lgm]

i was gonna say my cars basically all new parts ! thats were all my moneys gone

[panelbeaterpeter]

Same here, I haven't got them and only one MOT inspector has ever failed it in 5 years, I just wired some up and taped them into the wing for the MOT. And I don't take it to "dodgy" MOT places thank you very much, I always take it to decent places who will spot anything dangerous, not that there ever is anything because the car is overly maintained if anything. I've had a few " you know you should have indicators there" type comments, but they've not failed it. I'm aware technically they should fail it, what with it being an '89.

So in short, yes you should have side indicators, but if you don't, it may not be spotted, and if it is, you can easily wire some up for the test.