Do my front fogs have to work to pass the MOT?

[eldarvanyar]

A quick question, Do my front fogs have to work to pass the MOT?

I need a new fog light switch, the rears work but not the back. Mot is on tuesday.

[E30Mark]

A quick question, Do my front fogs have to work to pass the MOT?

I need a new fog light switch, the rears work but not the back. Mot is on tuesday.

I assume you mean the rears work OK, but not the front...

no to the front, yes to the rear

[eldarvanyar]

Thanks Mark,
yes my rears are working but the switch is not working with the front lights.
I will try and get one of ebay unless anyone on the zone has one.

[bigdek]

i think you'll find that if they are there they must work

[Brianmoooore]

Very surprised if you need a new switch, unless it has parts missing. They go faulty, but are easy to dismantle, clean, lubricate and re assemble. Good for another 15 years then!

[AutojumbleRich]

If they are fitted they have to work.I would just take them out for MOT then put them back when you have youre new ticket.That way you have more time to sort them out.

[E30Mark]

i think you'll find that if they are there they must work

Front fogs do not have to work. Period

[bigdek]

wrong.

[CraigG]

if they are there, they have to work im afraid. same with rear seats/seatbelts. spare wheel. reverse light.

[E30Mark]

They don't have to work, same as the reversing lights, spare wheel etc thet are not checked...

[jmc330i]

My touring passed its MOT (retest as it failed on front shocks) on Thursday, with only 1 front fog light working and that only works if you hold the button in - I dont think it should of passed if they must work.

The stuff below has been copied from a couple websites including the UK MOT site.

The Nominated Tester will check side lights, headlights, stop lights, number plate lights, two rear reflectors and indicator lights. Hazard warning lights will be checked with the ignition on and off.

All required lights are checked for:

operation
condition
security
Side lights and headlamps

are the correct type and colour
dip and aim.
Stop lights, indicators and hazard lights*

are the correct type and colour
do not interfere with each other in operation
driver's tell-tale works with respect to indicators, or there is an audible warning system.
Rear Fog lamps**

must be fitted to the centre or offside of the vehicle
tell-tale must work
must not be affected by other lamps and not be obscured
must be red.
Number plate lamps

All lamps fitted must be working.
Rear reflectors

There must be two red reflectors fitted reasonably symmetrically, securely attached and not obscured.
* Must be fitted to all vehicles first used on or after 1st April 1986, but if fitted, must be tested.
** Must be fitted to all vehicles first used on or after 1st April 1980.

[Brianmoooore]

I play the part of tester's assistant when I get my MOTs, and I've never been asked to turn on front fogs or reverse lights yet!

[fuzzy]

i know the reverse lights arent included on the mot as mine passed 2 months ago and theyve not been wired up to the cossie box yet,i didnt know that but he said not all cars have reverse lights(classics etc) so its not tested. he didnt check my front fogs , i was in the car turning everything on and off.it did fail on my wing indicator not being fitted as i had just fitted a new wing and hadnt cut the hole out yet

[kam-325i]

it depends on the tester, but the rules state that if they are fitted, then they can, not must, be tested.

[aauser]

I can guarantee you that front fog lights, reverse lights and spare wheels are NOT part of the MOT whether fitted or not.

Rear fog lights - drivers side only required for MOT - sorry forgot some cars have them fitted in the centre (Pug 206)

[Brianmoooore]

Rear fog lights - drivers side only required for MOT

Yes, forgot about that.
IIRC, base models of the original Metro were only fitted with the offside bulb from new, although the holder was there on the nearside as well.
This is an example of how non BMW manufactuers try to shave pennies from their costs.

[aauser]

This is an example of how non BMW manufactuers try to shave pennies from their costs.

That's true, it's surprising how many new cars you see with only the 1 rear fog, as you say Brian "shaving pennies"

[Simon]

Always thought the spare wheel had to be legal if fitted? So if illegal, just remove for the test?

[aauser]

Always thought the spare wheel had to be legal if fitted? So if illegal, just remove for the test?

No - just leave it there - it's NOT part of the MOT

There's loads of new cars nowadays that don't even come with spares fitted

[Simon]

There's loads of new cars nowadays that don't even come with spares fitted

Yes, that I realise, most new cars have a can of tyreweld and a small compressor fitted.

Had a quick word with a friend who's an MOT tester, and he says the manual does advise that a defective spare should be noted, and advice given, but is not a fail.

[pacerpete]

Ex mot tester here, front fogs are not a testable item and only the drivers side rear fog is mandatory.
From a safety point of view i reckon just one fog is better than two, the logic being, you know the driver in front has the fog light on as distinct from being on the brakes.

[eldarvanyar]

Ex mot tester here, front fogs are not a testable item and only the drivers side rear fog is mandatory.
From a safety point of view i reckon just one fog is better than two, the logic being, you know the driver in front has the fog light on as distinct from being on the brakes.

Thanks, I was beginning to wonder to be honest. I will try and dismatle and clean the switch, shouldn't be to hard. The front fog lights do turn on if I hold the switch half way.

[aauser]

Ex mot tester here

Yep - I'm one of them too !

[andyp]

ive had cars fail mot on front fog light not working, but i just change the bulb while the rest of the test is going on.

[Jon_Bmw]

i think you'll find that if they are there they must work

Front fogs do not have to work. Period

+1

My executive barge only has a drivers side rear fog too. As pete says, its safer than two

[dobbie82]

i think you'll find that if they are there they must work

Front fogs do not have to work. Period

+1

My executive barge only has a drivers side rear fog too. As pete says, its safer than two

+ 2

my fogs were never wired up but passed 2 mots one in pye motors in barrow and one in youngs motors in ambleside

[dobbie82]

p.s i should have a fog light switch coming off my 318 if you want one (if you fail to fix your or break it trying!)

[eldarvanyar]

Very surprised if you need a new switch, unless it has parts missing. They go faulty, but are easy to dismantle, clean, lubricate and re assemble. Good for another 15 years then!

Hi Brian, how do I dismantle the switch without breaking it?

[aauser]

ive had cars fail mot on front fog light not working, but i just change the bulb while the rest of the test is going on.

Andy, if you've had a car fail the MOT on front fog lights, they're either trying to scam you or they don't know how to do the MOT correctly

[eldarvanyar]

Well, guys I have just come back from the MOT testers and the car has PASSED without the front fog lights working.

In fact is sailed through no problems whatsoever.



Thanks for the advice guys, another E30 stays on the road for another year

[Brianmoooore]

I have just come back from the MOT testers and the car has PASSED
In fact is sailed through no problems whatsoever.

As I would expect an E30 to do.

[Brianmoooore]

Hi Brian, how do I dismantle the switch without breaking it?

Use a small screwdriver to lift the outer shell over the catches at the base of the switch, then lift the outer case upwards while holding the switch terminals downwards.
May be a good idea to start with your hazard switch first, as it has less pieces in it.

[smithy318i]

lol. I can't believe that a one word answer has spawned into a 2 page debate about foglights.

"No" is the answer! lol.

[eldarvanyar]

lol. I can't believe that a one word answer has spawned into a 2 page debate about foglights.

"No" is the answer! lol.

Thats the beauty of the zone everyone can chip in, question is are they right?????????

[E30Mark]

Thats the beauty of the zone everyone can chip in, question is are they right?????????

I'm always right, my mummy says so