All red rear lights

[Matt_B]

I like the look of the all red rear lights - are they legal in the UK?

 

[AGC]

No dont think they are..... you cant get through MOT with them, altho I used red rear lights all year and swapped lenses before mot.

 

[Araon]

Yes as long as the indicators are a seperate lamp and flash amber

 

[wanderlust]

I run all red rear lights. The mot guy does make me change them to Amber though to pass me. There is a way of making them flash Amber by using a coloured bulb, can't remember what colour that is though

 

[ProfessorWheeto]

I'm running normal light backs, ie seperate indicator and stop/tail bulbs, but with all red rear lenses. If you run Amber LEDs they flash amber through the red lens which is perfectly legal. The mot testers handbook states the indicators must only flash amber, it doesnt matter what colour the lens is (which is why clear side repeaters, smoked rear lenses, lexus lights etc are all legal.)

MOT handbook is here http://motuk.com/mot_manual/index.asp" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Just been tinkering with my lights to make them a bit brighter (yes I went all blue peter and busted out the tin foil) so I have some photos to help...

Standard rear light backs

Amber LED bulbs

Proof it all works...

 

[Matt_B]

Thanks guys, I was think of using the amber LED's - not cheap though are they - but it'll be worth it!

Are the all red lenses a direct replacement or does the fitting need changing too? Whats the quality like of the complete kits from likes of C&C or Status?

 

[ProfessorWheeto]

Red lenses will go straight on.
Most of the new rear light backings I've seen are pretty poor to be honest.
Although the LED bulbs are more pricey they won't blow like standard fillament bulbs so should last a lot longer.

 

[Gadget Boy]

All red rear lenses are Great BUT Most other drivers in the Uk dont see them . I had all red rear lenses on the back of the Gadget Bus for years and two years ago i was driving through the town and turning left and heard a screech of tyres and saw the tyre smoke ,The woman behind ( Bless Her :evil: ) Didnt see the indicators even though Ive have orange bulbs behind red lenses and Just missed the back of the bus . F#ck that... I went straight out and bought red/amber lenses . they may look good But Id rather keep my bus than have some stupid bint smash into it cause she's sticking her Lippy on :roll: :roll:

Gadget

 

[Matt_B]

All red rear lenses are Great BUT Most other drivers in the Uk dont see them . I had all red rear lenses on the back of the Gadget Bus for years and two years ago i was driving through the town and turning left and heard a screech of tyres and saw the tyre smoke ,The woman behind ( Bless Her :evil: ) Didnt see the indicators even though Ive have orange bulbs behind red lenses and Just missed the back of the bus . F#ck that... I went straight out and bought red/amber lenses . they may look good But Id rather keep my bus than have some stupid bint smash into it cause she's sticking her Lippy on :roll: :roll:

Gadget

It's a very good point and I'm sure something that would be looked into if an accident did happen. I need to have a look at some before I decide.

 

[Trikky2]

Just out of interest - does anybody know whats the cut off date on amber indicators?

I know red ones are legal at some time period because lots of cars used to have them. For instance older Morris Minors used to flash red using the brake lights I seem to remember.

 

[Tofufi]

Just out of interest - does anybody know whats the cut off date on amber indicators?

I know red ones are legal at some time period because lots of cars used to have them. For instance older Morris Minors used to flash red using the brake lights I seem to remember.

Any car first used before 1st Sept 1965 can run red rear indicators.

I know as my bug was built 3rd Sept 1965

 

[wanderlust]

Where do you get the LED bulbs from?

 

[ProfessorWheeto]

Our local motorfactors does them, I got my ones at a local autojumble, think even halfords might be doing them now? If not theres always tons on ebay, maplins do them as well I think.

Just remember to double check the pins on the metal base, you need the ones with the straight level pins for indicators not the staggered or offset pins.

 

[Matt_B]

Where do you get the LED bulbs from?

I've been looking here, can't comment on them but just found their website which seems pretty good:

http://www.autobulbsdirect.co.uk" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

 

[Trikky2]

Just out of interest - does anybody know whats the cut off date on amber indicators?

I know red ones are legal at some time period because lots of cars used to have them. For instance older Morris Minors used to flash red using the brake lights I seem to remember.

Any car first used before 1st Sept 1965 can run red rear indicators.

I know as my bug was built 3rd Sept 1965

Thanks for the info Tofufi