Motorised vehicles with defective lights.

[Vigilies]

What is the panels perception of the proportion of motorised vehicles with defective lights of some sort, excluding number plate lights ( I don't count those ). My view from my commute is that it is overwhemingly cars at fault and is at something like one in ten vehicles with some sort of lighting defect.

 

[I like Skol]

Most half decent transport or delivery companies (bakeries etc) will have a system where drivers have to sign off daily with a zero defect slip that covers lights, tyres and mechanical problems. This takes care of the failed tail light as it can only in theory be faulty for upto 24hrs or 1 shift. Balance this against many motorists who rely on the lights being checked during a service or annual MOT or if they are lucky a switched on (get it?) work collegue might tell them they spotted a light out as they left the work carpark the other day..........

 

[I like Skol]

This has always been a pet peeve of mine. I've lost count of the number of cars that have one light out, especially a headlight bulb gone. When I've brought it to the attention of the driver they're usually disinterested which makes me wonder how long they've had the problem and if they intend doing anything about it.

THIS^^^^^^^^^

The number of times I have tapped on a car window and said "you have no working brake lights!" which often means 3 failed bulbs or a failed brake switch and the response is "yeah, thanks". No shock, no surprise, almost as if they know and don't care. The cycnical side of me wonders if it is intentional in some cases so they can get a newer car and a nice juicy personal injury claim against the poor muppet that crashes into the back of them?)

 

[mcshroom]

Far too many in my experience. How you can miss a headlight being out I don't know (I suppose I drive unlit roads more than many). Brake lights I can understand a little more as they are hard to check on your own (cars could really do with a test switch to turn the brake lights on so that you can go and check them - make it only work when the engines are off though, or you'll have people driving round with brake lights permanently on), but I am always surprised by the number who seem to rely on the centre brake light only.

Oh, and of course the number of non working indicator bulbs is astronomical

 

[Orange]

This happened to me - a failed headlight lamp and I was shocked to discover it was nearly £10 to replace it - just to buy it and fit it myself mind, not to have it done for me. Maybe that is why so many don't bother?

I must say though that it was the first time in 25 years of often very high mileage driving (50,000+ miles some years), that I've ever had to replace a bulb, so I wouldn't have thought it should be too common a problem?

 

[mcshroom]

Your lights last a bit better than mine then. I've had to replace dipped and sidelight bulbs about once a year on my megane (always the same cluster so I'm assuming dodgy electrics). ASDA do full light kits for about £5 quite often.

 

[Bromptonaut]

Far too many drivers never look round their cars at all. Only the service or MoT gets them checked which is why the MoT should remani annual. I check my headlights using reflections while on the move and the rear, including brakes, can be seen in the house windows as I reverse into the drive.

But then when you know it's gone how easy is it to replace. Bit of a skinned knuckles job replacing the nearside headlight bulb on my Berlingo. Some other vehicles require or at least advise entrusting job to a dealer.

 

[mcshroom]

Also how many people would actually know how to access their lights to change them in their cars.

I've always found a Haynes manual the most important accessory I've bought for my cars.

 

[gaz]

around 1/3 of the drivers i see on the road have some sort of light defect.

 

[I like Skol]

around 1/3 of the drivers i see on the road have some sort of light defect.

Are you talking about drivers or vehicles? If you do mean drivers I would say it is much higher than 1/3rd

 

[Vigilies]

I'm probably even worse off than Orange above, I got a deal on a Renault Grand Scenic froma relative that was too good to pass up as my car was at that certain age when lots of things start to go wrong at once. I bought the Haynes manual and discovered that Haynes recommend that you remove the front bumper and grill assembly and take out the headlight cluster to replace the bulb if a headlight is defective!
I think it must be a cunning plan by the manufacturer to extract more money for the most mundane of repairs.

 

[summerdays]

I have in the past tried to count the numbers of cars with defective lights and reckoned it to be about 10%. I can remember my Dad being stopped by the police to be informed he had a light not working.

 

[goo_mason]

There seem to be more and more each year. It's almost 1 in 5 now - either headlights, rear lights or brake lights. I recently saw someone driving with nothing but one fog-light on the front (the other one was broken). No headlights or sidelights working. Rear lights were OK though.

I've been told that many of the newest car designs mean a bulb-replacement involves a trip to the garage as you have to take most of the front off to get in there and change them. No wonder drivers are now putting off getting busted lights fixed - they'd rather wait until they all go so that they only pay once for a garage-mechanic's labour!

 

[classic33]

This happened to me - a failed headlight lamp and I was shocked to discover it was nearly £10 to replace it - just to buy it and fit it myself mind, not to have it done for me. Maybe that is why so many don't bother?

I must say though that it was the first time in 25 years of often very high mileage driving (50,000+ miles some years), that I've ever had to replace a bulb, so I wouldn't have thought it should be too common a problem?

Why should that count as an excuse. If they know the light is out before they set off then the vehicle is unfit to be on the road & should not be on the road. They should then be open to prosecution for driving a vehicle that is not fit to be on the highway

Noticed that when only one side is working it is nearly always the passenger side & that tends to be brighter than normal. A lot of taxis & private hire vehicles seem to operate in this manner, near me.

 

[Baggy]

I've been told that many of the newest car designs mean a bulb-replacement involves a trip to the garage as you have to take most of the front off to get in there and change them. No wonder drivers are now putting off getting busted lights fixed - they'd rather wait until they all go so that they only pay once for a garage-mechanic's labour!

Our car has warning lights for a blown bulb - it came on recently, tail light had gone. Used to replace the bulbs on my old car with no problem, so thought I'd do this one. It's a lot more involved that it used to be...had to give up as I don't have a socket set. Today the light is working though, I must have fixed it through mind-power! If it goes again a trip to the garage to get the wiring checked out is in order.

I can see how you might not realise a rear bulb has gone, but really can't understand how anyone can drive round with broken headlamps.