15 replies to this topic

[coop]

do all new cars have to have those central brake light things?

[MiniMick]

Do you mean the high level brake light?

[coop]

Do you mean the high level brake light?

possibly...the one in the middle say on the end of a spoiler. or top of the rear windscreen...

[GUMBALL~3000]

Not 100% sure. I dont think they do, but not too sure.
Would be interested to know.

[screech]

not all new cars have them.

[MiniMick]

Don't think it's a legal thing more of a gimic extera safety feature thing (could possible help keep car insurance group down) not that alone but adds up if you see what i mean?

[coop]

hmm interesting.

i just remember seeing top gear where they were reviewing (i think) a new jag, and they said (from what i remember) the rear end was a bit rubbish due to accomodating the middle brake light thing.

[Bean]

i was under the impression that ALL new cars have to have them from about '96 onwards

[panelbeaterpeter]

Vehicles first used on or after 1 January 1971 must be fitted with at least two obligatory stop lamps. Any additional stop lamps fitted and connected must be tested. Can't find any info saying you must have a third brake light, although all modern cars I can think of have one, so maybe cars have to be manufactured with one, but I imagine if you were to remove it, it would pass, but having one present and not operational would be a failure. I'll ask my MOT friend tomorrow!

[Black.Ghost]

Vehicles first used on or after 1 January 1971 must be fitted with at least two obligatory stop lamps. Any additional stop lamps fitted and connected must be tested. Can't find any info saying you must have a third brake light, although all modern cars I can think of have one, so maybe cars have to be manufactured with one, but I imagine if you were to remove it, it would pass, but having one present and not operational would be a failure. I'll ask my MOT friend tomorrow!

My thoughts exactly. If its there its gotta work is the general rule.

There are quite a few new cars that don't have the third brake light. Some should though, especially those people who brake lights and rear lights wired up the wrong way round

[Mini_Magic]

i was under the impression that ALL new cars have to have them from about '96 onwards

Defiantly not as MPIs didn't have them.

I don't believe they are mandatory on any car. Only that if there is one installed, it must work for the MOT.

[Bean]

you're right!!

sorry

[Ethel]

MPI's are knocking on a bit now though.

Hard to see how they would specify it, be quite difficult to fit one to a flatbed van, though I'm pretty sure it's been discussed on several occasions, usually in relation to HGVs shunting cars because they have no hope of seeing the brake lights when nose to tail in traffic. Maybe they're obligatory elsewhere 'n we get them in the UK by default?

[Dan]

Additional stop lamps
Any additional stop lamps fitted and connected must be tested. Where extra lamps are fitted and there is doubt as to whether they are connected, the benefit of this doubt should be given to the presenter

They are still counted as additional lamps, not obligatory lamps. AFAIK there have been no major changes to the lighting regulations since 1989, only lots of ammendments.

Edited by Dan, 19 February 2008 - 12:59 AM.

[coop]

thanks for the answers.....it was just one of the many things i think about on the commute into work

MPI's are knocking on a bit now though.

not old...just older