NCT rear third/centre/high brake light

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ClubMan

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Failed my NCT today due to the third centre brake light (high on the hatchback door) not working. Just needs a free visual re-inspection though. However, the problem isn't the bulb but the wiring itself. I can probably fix it myself but... could I just remove the light fitting altogether? It's a failure (with a visual re-inspection required) if it's installed and not working, but it's not a mandatory requirement to have a third/centre/high brake light in the first place. (I've checked the NCT manual for details on this). So if it's removed then does that satisfy the visual re-inspection does anybody know? A few Boards and Reddit threads suggest that this might/should work but nothing authoritative that I could find.

(No need to tell me that I should just bring it to a garage and get it fixed, thanks - I'm already aware of that option :) ).
 
Years ago we had a Mitsubishi spacewagon 7 seater with factory fitted side reflectors.
During the 1st NCT test the mechanic came to me and said he wanted to show me something and to follow him. To my surprise he brought me onto the test floor and over to the car. He told me that the side reflectors were the wrong colour (red instead of amber) and that he would have to fail because they were present. I picked up on his tone and asked if I could borrow a screwdriver. He obliged and I removed both reflectors. The car passed and every test form then on the reflectors were removed before the test and left on the passenger seat. It passed every time.
 
Years and years ago I removed front fog lights as one was damaged beyond repair and at the time the money wasn't there to replace it.

It worked for me then. The car passed.
 
Thanks but my question is specifically about the rear third/centre brake light. If I remove it will it pass the re-inspection or (a) is it the case that if there's a factory installed third brake light originally then it must be present and working or (b) might removal of it be considered a modification and maybe a cause for a different failure?
 
Take it off and get the free recheck.
Just call in, no need to book in.
If it passes you are okay.

If they won't pass it then you will need to repair it and call back for a second free recheck.
 
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This could be caused by a broken wire in the rubber bellows in the same place that caused your previous rear wiper fault.
 
S class said:
This could be caused by a broken wire in the rubber bellows in the same place that caused your previous rear wiper fault.
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Good memory! :) That's exactly the problem. All of wires from the body, through the rubber tubing, into the hatchback/tailgate have snapped due to flexing and lack of slack. :( Common problem with many vehicles. This means that the rear wiper, rear window heating element, and the centre rear brake light are all non-functional right now. But the centre brake light is the priority for the NCT visual re-inspection. Matching some of the wires is straightforward but not all of them. Might have to trace back to the BCM (Body Control Module) aka multitimer unit in the passenger footwell to figure them out. :rolleyes:
 
S class said:
Take it off and get the free recheck.
Just call in, no need to book in.
If it passes you are okay.

If they won't pass it then you will need to repair it and call back for a second free recheck.
Click to expand...
Thanks @S class - I assumed that a free visual re-inspection was a one shot thing. Can you actually have multiple attempts?
 
ClubMan said:
Thanks @S class - I assumed that a free visual re-inspection was a one shot thing. Can you actually have multiple attempts?
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I don't know for certain. I had free visual checks before. A staff member usually just walks out to your car in the carpark and looks to see if the fault on your failure cert is fixed. There is no initial log on to their system. If it's still not working okay I reckon the staff member just tells you to come back again and doesn't log it. So there is no evidence that you are coming back a second time.
 
ClubMan said:
That's exactly the problem. All of wires from the body, through the rubber tubing, into the hatchback/tailgate have snapped due to flexing and lack of slack. :(
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Ouch!
ClubMan said:
Common problem with many vehicles. This means that the rear wiper, rear window heating element, and the centre rear brake light are all non-functional right now.
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A lot of manufacturers run the wiring loom in this way, some better than others. I wouldn't say it's a common problem with many vehicles in my experience. But definitely a big issue in some makes and models!

Can you share what the make/model of car you have?

Over the years from owning an Alfa and others...I'd suspect from what you are saying the electrics would be akin to Renault/Peugeot/Citroën to hazard a guess.

Feel free to diss the above.

PS Open to correction but for NCT visual inspections, things are either working or not. No limit in checks, you could drive over and replace a bulb and bring the car back for a check.
 
To directly answer your OP, here is the current NCT checklist.

It would appear that section 4.3 applies to your situation. While I haven't gone through all the 159 pages, I would assume that if your vehicle has a "third high brake lamp" then you need to get if functional or remove it to pass the visual inspection.
 
Crazy, that you can be failed on something that isn't mandatory to begin with - begs the question, are the NCT acting outside of their remit?
 
They test all in-scope components presented to them as per the test manual linked above, which is their remit.

If you want to check on how well you secure a child's car seat, leave it in the vehicle for the test. Of course one of the checks the RSA offer around the country might be more convenient as they will fix any issues on the spot and advise on correct installation, the NCT will just issue an advisory or fail if incorrect.
 
Wandering_Dazed said:
Ouch!
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The rear wiper and most of the rear window heater wires were already snapped but I probably broke the others when I went poking about. :confused:
Wandering_Dazed said:
Can you share what the make/model of car you have?

Over the years from owning an Alfa and others...I'd suspect from what you are saying the electrics would be akin to Renault/Peugeot/Citroën to hazard a guess.
Click to expand...
2014 Dacia Sandero so based on an older Renault Clio (II or III I think?) platform.
 
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Wandering_Dazed said:
To directly answer your OP, here is the current NCT checklist.

It would appear that section 4.3 applies to your situation. While I haven't gone through all the 159 pages, I would assume that if your vehicle has a "third high brake lamp" then you need to get if functional or remove it to pass the visual inspection.
Click to expand...
Thanks. I'd already gone through the relevant parts of the NCT manual but it's still unclear if (a) removing the third brake light would satisfy the visual re-inspection or if there was ever a factory installed third brake light then it needs to be present and working and (b) if more than one visual re-inspection visits are allowed.
 
Leo said:
They test all in-scope components presented to them as per the test manual linked above, which is their remit.

If you want to check on how well you secure a child's car seat, leave it in the vehicle for the test. Of course one of the checks the RSA offer around the country might be more convenient as they will fix any issues on the spot and advise on correct installation, the NCT will just issue an advisory or fail if incorrect.
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Yeah, that's the reason that I always remove my spare wheel for the test. I'm sure it's fine and if I ever used it I'd double check the tyre pressure and inflate as needed, but I didn't want it to be present for the test in case it became a potential point of failure.
 
Leo said:
Of course one of the checks the RSA offer around the country might be more convenient as they will fix any issues on the spot and advise on correct installation
Click to expand...
I presume you mean this?

Children - FAQs

Check It Fits child car seat service from the Road Safety Authority (RSA). Free, expert child car seat service. Nationwide local visits. Online virtual checks.
www.rsa.ie www.rsa.ie
 
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