4. Lamps, mirrors and electrical equipment-MOT Inspection Manual: Automobiles and Passenger Cars-Guide

We use cookies to collect information about how you use GOV.UK. We use this information to make the website work as normal as possible and to improve government services.
Headlights, position lights, daytime running lights, stop lights, indicators, hazard warning lights, fog lights, reversing lights, lighting "story", trailer power sockets, wiring and battery rules and for cars and passenger cars MOT test inspection.
"Mandatory headlamps" are a pair of matching high beam headlamps and a pair of matching low beam headlamps. These can be independent or a pair.
Buses used for the first time before October 1, 1969 only need a headlight. If two are installed, neither the high beam nor the low beam need be paired.
The following components must have a pair of high beams and a pair of low beams-can be installed separately or in pairs:
The type of headlight will determine whether the target must be checked on the low beam or the high beam (see Figures 1, 2 and 3).
As long as all upper edges of the beam (including any "peaks") are contained within the appropriate tolerance range, a flat top or other headlamp immersion beam pattern can be used.
The mask or conversion kit can be installed on the right-hand immersion headlamp to temporarily change the lamp used in the UK by removing the "backup lamp" on the right.
If the driver's beam aiming control is installed, the beam aiming should be tested without changing the control settings. If this causes the beam sight to malfunction too low, the control should be set to the "highest" position to recheck the beam sight.
On vehicles with a hydro-pneumatic suspension system, the engine must be running when checking the headlight targets.
Aim the headlights at the vehicle according to the manufacturer's instructions.
For complex lens systems (that is, lens systems with multiple lights behind a single lens), make sure that the test equipment is accurately aligned to the center of the low beam pocket.
You must not perform repairs during the MOT test, but you can make minor adjustments to the headlight aiming.
If the British and American headlights have an asymmetric main beam pattern, and their central area has the greatest intensity, it is called a "hot spot" and the inspection is performed on the main beam.
In general, there is also a round lens marked with the number "1", followed by an arrow indicating the direction of immersion.
In order for the Anglo-American bulb to pass, it must also be ensured that the brightest part of the image moves downward when immersed in the bulb.
The low beam or high beam must be lit immediately when switched on (depending on the position of the DIP switch).
The mandatory headlamp consists of a pair of matching high beam headlamps and a pair of matching low beam headlamps. These can be independent or a pair.
Buses used for the first time before October 1, 1969 only need a headlight. If two are installed, neither the high beam nor the low beam need to be paired.
In the four-headlight system, the outer headlight does not need to emit light of the same color as the inner headlight.
The precise location of the bulb is not part of the inspection, but you should visually check that the height and distance between the bulb and the sides of the vehicle are the same.
Existing halogen headlight units should not be converted to use with HID bulbs. If this conversion is carried out, the headlamps must be disabled.
The following components must have a pair of high beams and a pair of low beams-can be installed separately or in pairs:
Vehicles with high intensity discharge (HID) or LED low beam headlights may be equipped with a suspension or headlight self-leveling system. If these systems are installed, they must be working properly.
Sometimes it is difficult to determine whether the automatic leveling system is working properly. In this case, you should benefit from suspicion.
Vehicles do not need to install position lights, they can also be permanently disconnected, painted or covered. In this case, you should issue an advisory notice. These vehicles do not require end contour marker lights.
The vehicle must have 2 front position lights and 2 rear position lights, but the width of the tricycle or four-wheeler is less than 1300mm.
Daytime running lights (DRL) or headlights can be used as front row position lights. If DRLs are used as front position lights, they may or may not be dimmed when the rear position lights are turned on, and they may be dimmed or turned off when the front lights are turned on.
The front and rear position lights must be illuminated at the same time as the positioning plate lights and the tail outline marking lights.
Tricycles and four-wheeled vehicles with a width less than 1,300 mm must have at least one front light and one rear light. However, if the maximum vehicle width exceeds 1300mm, there must be 2 front position lights and 2 rear position lights.
Buses used for the first time before April 1, 1955 only need a rear position indicator. The bulb must be in the neutral or over-line position.
You must check the end contour marking lights of vehicles over 2100mm that were first used on or after April 1, 1991, excluding the rearview mirror.
If daytime running lights (DRL) are installed as original equipment on vehicles that are used for the first time on or after March 1, 2018, you only need to check them.
You can turn on the position light from the driver's seat by pressing the switch. The position lights must be illuminated at the same time as the license plate lights and any end contour marking lights installed.
Daytime running lights (DRL) or headlights can be used as front row position lights. If DRLs are used as front position lights, they may or may not be dimmed when the rear position lights are turned on, and they may be dimmed or turned off when the front lights are turned on.
When the front headlights or front fog lights are turned on, the front position lights may go out. If the position indicator is used in combination with the direction indicator, the position indicator may or may not be off when the relevant direction indicator flashes.
The front and rear position lights must light up at the same time as the end contour marker lights where they are installed.
If daytime running lights (DRL) are installed as original equipment on vehicles that are used for the first time on or after March 1, 2018, you only need to check them.
If the DRL has been manually turned off, sometimes they will not light up until the vehicle travels faster than 10 kilometers per hour (6.2 mph) or the vehicle travels 100 meters (328 feet).
Military vehicles may have a multi-position switch that cannot turn on the front and rear position lights with a single operation. This should not be considered a defect.
The precise position of the bulb is not within the scope of inspection. You should visually check that the height and distance between them and the sides of the vehicle are approximately the same.
Turn on the position lights and daytime running lights, and then operate all other lights in sequence. Check whether the position lights, end contour marking lights or daytime running lights are adversely affected.
If the position indicator is used in combination with the direction indicator, the position indicator may or may not be off when the relevant direction indicator flashes.
Daytime running lights (DRL) or headlights can be used as front row position lights. If DRLs are used as front position lights, they may or may not be dimmed when the rear position lights are turned on, and they may be dimmed or turned off when the front lights are turned on.
Vehicles whose width exceeds 2,100mm for the first use on or after April 1, 1991 must check their end contour marking lights.
You only need to check the daytime running lights (DRL) installed as original equipment for the first use on or after March 1, 2018.
If DRL has been manually turned off, sometimes they will not light up until the vehicle travels at a speed exceeding 10 km/h (6.2mph) or the vehicle travels 100m (328ft).
Vehicles used for the first time before January 1, 1971 can only be equipped with one stop light, which can be installed in the center or offside.
In addition to mandatory requirements, other brake lights must be tested. However, if you are not sure whether they are connected, you should benefit from suspicion.
After stepping on the brake, all brake lights must be on immediately, and they must be turned off immediately after releasing the brake.
Vehicles used for the first time before January 1, 1971 can only be equipped with one stop light. The light can be installed in the center or towards the offside position.
In addition to mandatory requirements, other brake lights must be tested. However, if you are not sure whether they are connected, you should benefit from suspicion.
Vehicles first used before September 1, 1965 may have a brake light and a direction indicator.
Vehicles first used before January 1, 1971 can only be equipped with one stop light. The light can be installed in the center or towards the offside position.
In addition to mandatory requirements, other brake lights must be tested. However, if you are not sure whether they are connected, you should benefit from suspicion.
Depress the brake pedal to light the brake lights, and then operate all other indicator lights in sequence to see if the brake lights are adversely affected.
If the direction indicator is used in combination with the brake lights or the front and rear position lights, vehicles used for the first time before September 1, 1965 may have a white front indicator and a red rear indicator.
Vehicles used for the first time on or after April 1, 1986 must be equipped with amber side repeater indicators on each side.
Sequential/dynamic direction indicators should not be considered as the cause of failure.
Tricycles and quadricycles classified as mopeds do not require hazard warning lights. Only "strong" mopeds must have direction indicators.
The hazard warning light can only be operated with one switch, and the engine or ignition switch is in the on and off positions.
For three-wheeled vehicles and four-wheeled vehicles, the hazard warning lights must work when the engine is running and when the engine is turned off. This can be achieved by using the engine flameout switch or turning off the ignition switch.
If the direction indicator is used in combination with the brake lights or the front and rear position lights, vehicles used for the first time before September 1, 1965 may have a white front indicator and a red rear indicator.
Turn on the direction indicator, and then operate all other indicators in sequence to see if the direction indicator is adversely affected.
On a vehicle with direction indicator and position indicator used for the first time on or after September 1, 1965, the position indicator must be extinguished when the direction indicator flashes. The direction indicator light must only flash amber, and no white or red indicator lights.
The precise position of the bulb is not within the scope of inspection. You should visually check that the height and distance between them and the sides of the vehicle are approximately the same.
Sequential/dynamic direction indicators should not be considered as the cause of failure.
The indicator light must flash 60 to 120 times per minute. The semaphore type direction indicator does not need to flash.
Allow the front and rear fog lights to operate independently of any other lights or ignition systems.
The rear fog lamp can be combined with the rear position lamp. Allow the front and rear fog lights to operate independently of any other lights or ignition systems. The function of the fog lamp must not be adversely affected by the operation of any other lamp.
Turn on the rear fog lights and operate all other lights in sequence to see if the rear fog lights are adversely affected.
You must check all reversing lights installed on vehicles that have been used for the first time since September 1, 2009, except for four-wheeled vehicles and Class 3 vehicles.
The rear of the reversing light must show white light. On some vehicles, it may be necessary to run the engine before the reversing lights work.
You must check all reversing lights installed on vehicles that have been used for the first time since September 1, 2009, except for four-wheeled vehicles and Class 3 vehicles.
The rear of the reversing light must show white light. On some vehicles, it may be necessary to run the engine before the reversing lights work.
You must check all reversing lights installed on vehicles that have been used for the first time since September 1, 2009, except for four-wheeled vehicles and Class 3 vehicles.
The reversing light must be automatically operated when reverse gear is selected, and goes out when reverse gear is deselected.
On some vehicles, it may be necessary to run the engine before the reversing lights work.
You must check the license plate lights on all vehicles equipped with front and rear position lights.
The license plate indicator light must illuminate the rear license plate. Some vehicles may have these lights installed behind the license plate.
You must check the license plate lights on all vehicles equipped with front and rear position lights.
The mirror must be installed symmetrically. Although the exact position of the mandatory rear reflector is not within the inspection range, please visually check whether the height and distance between them and the sides of the vehicle are approximately the same.
High beam "story telling" is only required on vehicles first used on or after April 1, 1986. Type 3 vehicles do not need to check the high beam to tell stories.
If there is no tow ball or pin, but the accessory bracket is still in place, you must assess whether the power socket is equipped with a tow ball or pin:
If the accessory bracket is intentionally made unsuitable for further use, there is no need to evaluate the power outlet.
If you need tools or specialized equipment to remove the bumper or the access panel on the body to access the socket, there is no need to evaluate the trailer power socket.
A defective or missing trailer power socket with a flip cover and spring to hold the plug in place is not considered defective.
On vehicles equipped with a trailer with a 13-pin European socket, please use approved equipment to check whether the socket is wired to operate the trailer correctly:
You must check the batteries of all vehicles (including electric and hybrid vehicles). The check is not applicable to Class 3 vehicles.
Do not include personal or financial information, such as your National Insurance number or credit card details.
To help us improve GOV.UK, we would like to learn more about your visit today. We will send you a link to the feedback form. Just fill in 2 minutes. Don’t worry, we will not send you spam or share your email address with anyone.


Post time: Dec-22-2020