I'm looking to install some towbar wiring via a bypass relay to a 2013 Mk7.5 Fiesta and will require a 12v power source for it. Is there any anything in/near boot area so I don't have to go all the way back to the battery/fusebox?

The wiper motor is a switched live. 

1 minute ago, Jonro2009 said:

The wiper motor is a switched live. 

The only possible problem I can see with that is the lights won't work when the ignition is off. Mostly it would be OK but things like the Hazard lights and rear lights might be needed with the ignition off

Yeah I figured I'd best go for a permanent live ideally otherwise it's bound to let me down when I most need it!

Just found this excellent write-up for fitting a 12v accessory socket in a Mk7 and there's a fair bit of discussion about the lack of such a power source so I'll stop being so lazy and tap into the fusebox.

So as not to waste the thread, can anyone confirm that this model definitely needs a bypass relay or can I get away with tapping directly into the light clusters? I've done that for some parking sensors and haven't triggered any bulb failure warnings or similar issues?

5 minutes ago, unofix said:

The only possible problem I can see with that is the lights won't work when the ignition is off. Mostly it would be OK but things like the Hazard lights and rear lights might be needed with the ignition off

Don't forget by law, you need the hazards on trailers to work with ignition off

2 minutes ago, Neb_engineer said:

Don't forget by law, you need the hazards on trailers to work with ignition off

Makes sense.

2 minutes ago, MJNewton said:

can anyone confirm that this model definitely needs a bypass relay or can I get away with tapping directly into the light clusters?

You need the relays otherwise your indicators will hyper-flash. Also you are required to have a warning either a light or buzzer that tells you when the indicators are working on the trailer

Thanks for the confirmation @unofix, will proceed as planned. I'll only be fitting a 7-pin socket and I believe they're not subject to electrical testing in the MOT so I doubt the buzzer (or its potential absence!) will ever be noticed (hoping not as I was considering disabling it!).

For completeness and in case anyone else probes around in future it looks like the boot lamp has a 'permanent' 12v source (negatively switched) but it is hanging off the battery saver so will only remain live for so long after the ignition is turned off!