The reversing light of my Seat Leon is always on. Can I remove the bulb?

Q. The reversing light of my wife’s Seat Leon is always on. My garage has failed to fix it and is now talking about new relays and a gearbox switch, which sounds costly. Is there any reason I can’t just remove the bulb? KM, Abbots Leigh, Bristol

A. According to the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, it is “not compulsory to fit or maintain reversing lights under UK law”, and they are not checked as part of the MoT test.

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That said, for a new car to meet EU type approval — without which it cannot be sold in the EU — it must have at least one reversing light.

Also, the Highway Code decrees that drivers must ensure all lights are working properly. Any breach of the code could be used as evidence against you in the event of a road accident, so we advise you to have an auto-electrician sort it out.

LADY DRIVER
Emma Smith is a journalist specialising in consumer issues and is a regular Driving contributor – read more fromEmma here.

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