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Red rear indicators and mot
Posted: Wed Apr 08, 15 9:54 pm
by XP29
I know 1965 and earlier cars can run red rear indicators. But with post 65 cars (mine is April 66) is there not a "testers discretion" thing for getting a car through or is it a final no? I ask as on my car the whole of the rear of the car lights up as stop/tail light and half of each side flashes as an indicator. As this is about 2-2.5 feet of big red flashing light, it seems silly for this to fail the mot, but I can put a very small Amber light possibly half hidden away and get it passed!

Posted: Wed Apr 08, 15 10:05 pm
by John
A lot of people still have the US red indicators, just need to find the right MOT station. As it`s all electronic these days ask before you get it done as if they fail it for it it will remain on the system
Posted: Wed Apr 08, 15 10:14 pm
by Mossy68
Lovely rear end pic .....
Not sure on the " legality" of this.
Was a grey area but may have been resolved ?
As John says , still plenty of red ones about.
The way they should be. !
Posted: Wed Apr 08, 15 10:22 pm
by XP29
Thanks guys, I have asked at a local mot place that looked as though it would be "friendly", he said about passing it but putting an advisory that it had external Amber indicators fitted, but I wanted to avoid that as I won't be.
I know I can fit led boards to get an amber light, but I would like to keep it as it should be if I can.
Posted: Wed Apr 08, 15 10:32 pm
by Mick
If they aren't wire the indicators into the reversing lights.
Posted: Wed Apr 08, 15 10:33 pm
by Mossy68
I'd have a phone about
As I said , it was a grey area where as European regs state that the turn signal should be the correct colour the car was manufactured with. On the other hand the UK law is the pre 65 rule. Lots of debate in the past , which may have been settled. ?
Got to keep them red on a Gen 1 Charger though.

Posted: Wed Apr 08, 15 10:35 pm
by Mick70RR
My car has been through 10 MOT's with red indicators on the back. Just find a friendly MOT station.
I used to be an Mot tester and always passed them including my own car.
That caused a topic for conversation when I had a producer.
Posted: Wed Apr 08, 15 10:36 pm
by SJH
Hello XP29,
I am currently doing this with my 67 Charger. I used the inner and outer bulbs for rear/brake lights and used the middle bulbs for indicators only using an amber LED bulb to shine amber through the red lens .
The brake light switch is wired through the indicator switch so I had to run a new wire from the brake light switch to the brake lights, and wire the rear lights from the number plate lamp as the rear lights use a resistance wire.
Shayne
Posted: Wed Apr 08, 15 11:10 pm
by XP29
I have seen a gen1 with the reverse lights as the indicators. It just seems daft to go from a huge light that's very noticable, to one under the bumper less noticable to get a pass because of a red/Amber thing.
Posted: Wed Apr 08, 15 11:20 pm
by XP29
SJH wrote:Hello XP29,
I am currently doing this with my 67 Charger. I used the inner and outer bulbs for rear/brake lights and used the middle bulbs for indicators only using an amber LED bulb to shine amber through the red lens .
The brake light switch is wired through the indicator switch so I had to run a new wire from the brake light switch to the brake lights, and wire the rear lights from the number plate lamp as the rear lights use a resistance wire.
Shayne
Hi SJH, I see you already have spoken to Adrian. He has led boards fitted for the Indicators.
If you have any gen1 queries
http://www.66-67charger.com/forum/ubbth ... p?ubb=cfrm is great place for info. Gibber on there is your man if your gauges go out.
Posted: Thu Apr 09, 15 7:02 am
by cadboy
XP29 wrote:I have seen a gen1 with the reverse lights as the indicators. It just seems daft to go from a huge light that's very noticable, to one under the bumper less noticable to get a pass because of a red/Amber thing.
It is not a problem as long as the drivers behind you know what it is when a RED indicator is flashing.
In UK most drivers are not used to seeing RED for indicator, only for brake.
So if someone hits you from behind when you were turning, then problem with insurance and the rest could follow, not worth the hassle mate, as the law says after 65 all AMBER indicator (does not matter the size).
Posted: Thu Apr 09, 15 7:55 am
by John
If the person at the back cant see them brake lights flashing or not Ali, they sure aint going to see a little amber bulb flashing

Posted: Thu Apr 09, 15 8:27 am
by MilesnMiles
Just as appoint of law, irrespective of friendly MOTs it is illegal for post '65 cars to have red indicators. I had my red indicators pass MOTs without problem, but the police eventually pulled me and told me categorically that I would be nicked if I drove it again without converting the indicators.
There is no grey area on this, it's just whether the police or the MOT guy care or not.
Posted: Thu Apr 09, 15 8:33 am
by SJH
XP29 wrote:SJH wrote:Hello XP29,
I am currently doing this with my 67 Charger. I used the inner and outer bulbs for rear/brake lights and used the middle bulbs for indicators only using an amber LED bulb to shine amber through the red lens .
The brake light switch is wired through the indicator switch so I had to run a new wire from the brake light switch to the brake lights, and wire the rear lights from the number plate lamp as the rear lights use a resistance wire.
Shayne
Hi SJH, I see you already have spoken to Adrian. He has led boards fitted for the Indicators.
If you have any gen1 queries
http://www.66-67charger.com/forum/ubbth ... p?ubb=cfrm is great place for info. Gibber on there is your man if your gauges go out.
Hello XP29, thanks for the link.
I had the same concerns as you for the rear lamp operation but did not want to compromise my MOT man should anything happen
Shayne
Posted: Thu Apr 09, 15 8:40 am
by db
I use orange bulbs in my reversing lamps. They're puny but legal. I'm very aware of it, especially on sunny days...
Turning right with a biker behing me is a bit nervy to say the least! I'd like to improve things but don't know how.