mechanics.tradeSidelights
Sidelights came up 1,235,059 times at the MOT during 2025, the 8th most recorded defect on the list.
1,235,059recorded in 2025
4.0%of all recorded defects
8thon the national list
What it is
These are the low-level lights you use at dusk, front and rear. The tester checks each one lights, shows the right colour, and is not obscured by a cracked or missing lens.
What the tester can write down
What the tester writes depends on how serious it is: major and minor.
| Wording on the certificate | Category | Recorded in 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | Major | 976,383 |
| A lamp with a multiple light source up to 1/2 not functioning | Minor | 132,893 |
What you can do about it
Walk round the car with the sidelights on and you will spot a dead one immediately. Bulbs cost very little, and on most cars the rear ones are reached through a flap in the boot lining.
Nearby on the list
Every defect on the list, from 42,728,066 MOT tests in 2025.