Hi,

My sons Focus 1.8 Diesel has a small crack in the rear fog light lens, is that an MOT failure?

If it's showing white light then yes,

You can buy *Lens repair tape* if you don't think you can get a new light unit in time for the MOT. 

Its not showing any white light, its just a crack, no holes in it or anything

29 minutes ago, jonj1611 said:

Its not showing any white light, its just a crack, no holes in it or anything

Unless you get a real 'jobsworth', I would say you'll be fine, at worst, maybe an 'advisory', but once you get the MOT, source a replacement lens from Ebay (used) no need to splash out on fancy Ford prices on such an item...

Yeah was thinking that, guess it depends who you get!

30 minutes ago, jonj1611 said:

Yeah was thinking that, guess it depends who you get!

Since it's a cheap fix why take the risk👍

6 minutes ago, williamweb said:

Since it's a cheap fix why take the risk👍

Some of us are risk takers, others risk averse - i would risk it LOL

i don't know if that focus has one or two rear fog lights. 

MOT manual says:

only check the right hand side fog light (drivers side). they should not check the other one.

assess damaged or repaired lamps for security colour light output and durability

a lens defect that has no effect on emitted light = not fail

a lens defect that adversely affects the emitted light is a fail. 

The MOT manual is on the Govt website for all to see.

But it's difficult to argue with a jobsworth MOT tester.

Years ago I had a car fail on a small crack on a rear light lens, it was easier to replace it than appeal. And if you did appeal I assume they will get their own back the next time you go in there.

It's good to find a MOT garage that does not take the p**s and try to exploit the customer for their own profit. I found one which i used for years and then he retired. Luckily I seem to have found another one. I think it they charge the full price or near the full price (where I go charges £45) then the business is less likely to try it on to get more money eg. they will adjust the headlamp beam free and not charge £25 for 1 minute's work.  If they advertise MOTs at £20 then the business model is likely based on making sure you can't leave without paying more.

This is not a dig at all MOT testers. some are fair, some just are not.

 

Many thanks for the replies, I will try and get a lens, can you get a lens or does the whole thing need to be replaced? But not sure if it will come before the mot

53 minutes ago, StephenFord said:

Some of us are risk takers, others risk averse - i would risk it LOL

If you're going to worry it's easier to fix it👍

23 minutes ago, jonj1611 said:

Many thanks for the replies, I will try and get a lens, can you get a lens or does the whole thing need to be replaced? But not sure if it will come before the mot

No idea what car it's for as you never specified - for my car, a 2005 Mk2, this is a new one........ this is a used one!

This is how it's replaced...

 

The rear red fog lamp on my Focus has a couple of cracks from damage done by the previous owner. There is no white light shining through and no loose bits of red plastic.

It's been through 5 MOT's each with a different tester and all passed.

If you don't like the look of it change it, otherwise leave it alone.

ScaniaPBman.

On 9/29/2020 at 6:58 PM, StephenFord said:

Some of us are risk takers, others risk averse - i would risk it LOL

In this instance, I'd say that's more a case of "being tight as f*ck!" 😁

1 hour ago, 1979Damian said:

In this instance, I'd say that's more a case of "being tight as f*ck!" 😁

Yeah i was thinking on similar lines.By-the-way remind us Stephen is that two or three times you have climbed Mt Everest👍

On 9/29/2020 at 6:58 PM, StephenFord said:

Some of us are risk takers, others risk averse - i would risk it LOL

Isn't that what risk takers do?Instead of not changing a light lens 👍

If it's a MK2.5, you can buy a Euro spec lens and red bulb so you get clear lenses both sides...looks tidier than one red and one clear.