MOT failure advice re. numberplate light

Hello all,

Is anyone out there able to help with what might seem a silly question - My V40 failed its MOT today because the numberplate lights do not come on when the light switch is turned to the first position without the keys in. The front lights and rear lights do but no numberplate ones. The trouble I'm having understanding this is that when the ignition key is turned to position 2, the numberplate lights do come on (meaning current in there and bulbs ok!).

Ive been studying the haynes manual wiring diagrams for a a couple of hours and cannot understand if the numberplate bulb wire is joined to the rear light wire thus on the same circuit, why they would fail to come on with the rear lights with no key and then come on when the key was turned.

Surely it can't be that complicated but I don't think I can see the wood for the trees.....

Is anyone able to offer a small clue?

Thanks, Alex

[pphilpot]

Hi, my 1997 V40 number plate lights do the exact same thing - i.e. they don't light up when there's no key, and they do when the key is in position 2.

It's never failed a MOT on that (not that I'm aware of)!

[Viper_7]

My previous Volvo did this too....I;d go back and point this out.
They work perfectly in the normal driving position.

[Andys101]

you must show side lights with the ignition in the off position.
i dont know if this means numberplate lights as well, however if not having the numberplate lights on with the ignition off is a design feature then this is a pass.

have a look at this

[4 forty]

the number plate lights only come on when you turn the ignition key on, if the key is turned off, and as you say, the number plate light is not lit when you turn your side[PARKING] lights on, this is correct, you will also notice only one bulb on each side of the rear light is illuminated, this is to mimimise battery loss whilst parked. when the key is turned on, you will see two bulbs lit up on either side.
inform your mot station that these are not side lights, but parking lights!!.

this site is a forum run by mot testers

http://www.motester.co.uk/
paul

[Ambiesda]

"My V40 failed its MOT today because the numberplate lights do not come on when the light switch is turned to the first position without the keys in. The front lights and rear lights do but no numberplate ones."

Alex, if the key is not in the ignition, and turned to the first position, then the numberplate lights should not come on. This is due to the fact that only the side lights come on as "parking lights" as required in certain aspects of parking as described in the Traffic Act and amendments. There is no need for the number plate to be illuminated while the vehicle is parked. The parking lights are wired as low drain on the battery.

Having stated that, the MOT regulations are confusing as to this aspect.

"Where more than one rear registration plate lamp, or bulb, is fitted as original equipment , anyone in operative lamp or bulb is a reason for rejection. (see information column: multiple number plate lights) (Method of inspection)5. With the side and rear lamps switched on, check that the rear registration plate lamp(s) is (a). fitted (b). working, and (c). does not flicker when tapped lightly by hand. (Reason for rejection) 5. A rear registration plate lamp (a). not fitted (b). not working, or (c). flickers when tapped lightly by hand.

Note: The precise position of obligatory side and rear lamps is not part of the inspection, but check visually that the lamps are at about i. the same height, and the same distance from the side of the vehicle."

Hope this helps.
Regards

Malky

Hi all,

Thanks very much for all the helpful replies. It really does not make sense that the number plate lights come on with the parking lights and from what you all have said it looks like the tester has made a mistake.

From the computer printed new style MOT fail certificate the car failed on section 1.1.5 (c) (with ignition off) reg plate lamp bulb not working - I guess this is where the grey area is as it looks like you can't turn on the V40s lights without the key in (as you can with most other cars), only put the parking lights on.

I think I may have fun arguing this out with them, who knows how many other Volvos they've failed in this way. Although they didnt fail mine last year and it must have been the same then.

I appreciate your help. Thanks again.

Alex

[DurhamRed]

I think the tester is wrong here, I mean I've just taken my car for test in the last 2 weeks and it passed fine, after all if you remember a few years back almost all cars were fitted with a battery saving feature which would not allow dipped beam without ignition on. I don't recall any cars failing then as I also don't see why a Volvo S40 should fail now, as long as the car is correctly lit when driven.

[4 forty]

you could of course challenge the testers desicion by taking it to a vosa testing station,
if they pass it, the tester will be called to task.

paul

Hi All,

Just an update regarding my numberplate lights....I took it for another MOT today (at another garage) and it passed ok. But the tester called up VOSA for advice after hearing about the previous problems and they told him if they are not supposed to come on without the key in then put it down as an advisory.

So that is what I have, an advisory that my numberplate lights dont come on with the 'side' (parking!) lights.

So alls well that ends well, but a huge ball ache for a problem created by woolly wording in the MOT checklist and an over enthusiastic tester.

Cheers