7 replies to this topic

[scotty]

Hi,

Im close now to get my car back on the road but ive noticed that the rear valance hasnt got a hole for the rear fog light to route through.

As the body has had a full rebuild and paint i was hoping that i wouldn't have to drill the valance to fit the bracket and grommet hole.

I'm assuming that the light is needed for MOT? does it have to be low level or could it be fit in the rear window temperary for the mot?

Has anyone else had the same problem

thanks in advance

Ian

[Skortchio]

Haven't had that problem, but many people (me included) move the fog light into the rear light cluster, replacing the right side reverse light.

Assuming you have one in your cluster.

It is (so I've read) not correct to do so but as all modern cars have this set up it seems odd that the Mini shouldn't be allowed.
MoT requirement search might provide some confirmation on where and how it has to be displayed.

[Doz1971]

How old is your Mini ... Cars produced before 1980 don't need one.

[Ethel]

Strictly speaking you can't have a fog light in the rear cluster as it'd be too close to the brake light. If your car is older than 1 April 1980 you don't need a fog light. You could put one in the bottom of the rear window and let it double as a high level brake light.

[Bungle]

Haven't had that problem, but many people (me included) move the fog light into the rear light cluster, replacing the right side reverse light.

Assuming you have one in your cluster.

It is (so I've read) not correct to do so but as all modern cars have this set up it seems odd that the Mini shouldn't be allowed.
MoT requirement search might provide some confirmation on where and how it has to be displayed.

you have to put your car through type approval like modern car manufactures do

[tiger99]

You are expressely not allowed to use the fog light as a high level brake light, to avoid confusion. That is why they have to be a certain distance apart. I think you may also fall foul of the Construction and Use Regulations by mounting it high up, in the window, although I can't easily get a copy of the relevant regs to confirm. The MOT does not check everything for legality, nor will a valid MOT certificate prevent the police from prosecuting if they happen to know that something is violating the C&U Regs, so I would advise checking carefully. It MUST be securely mounted, on the centre line or offside. I think that you would have to drill the parcel shelf.

I would just carefully drill it and touch up the paint afterwards. You are safer with a rear fog light, especially in a small and inconspicuous car like a Mini, even if it is before 1980 and does not legally require one.

The MOT info is here: http://www.motuk.co.uk/manual_130.htm

[scotty]

Thanks for all the replies people. My car is a 1994 mini 35. I think i will end up just drilling v v carefully and do the job right how it was ment to be.

But thanks for the ideas and info

cheers

[Cooperman]

I made an aluminium bracket from a 1.25" wide x 4" long ally strip and mounted the fog-light onto the boot lid at about the middle in terms of height and on the RH side. I coated the mating faces of the bracket with bath sealer to prevent corrosion and it works fine.