mechanics.tradeBrake lights
Testers wrote brake lights down 880,483 times during 2025, 13th on a list of 265 kinds of defect.
880,483recorded in 2025
2.9%of all recorded defects
13thon the national list
What it is
The tester checks your brake lights come on together, show the right red, and go out again cleanly. A car with a high-level third light has that checked too on most models.
What the tester can write down
| Wording on the certificate | Category | Recorded in 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | Major | 682,330 |
What you can do about it
Back up to a wall or shop window at night and press the pedal, and you will see the reflection. If every light has gone at once it is usually the switch behind the pedal rather than the bulbs.
Nearby on the list
Every defect on the list, from 42,728,066 MOT tests in 2025.