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[XJ Fan]

My third (high level) brake light has stopped working. I have changed the bulb (twice) but no joy, so out a circuit tester at the loom connection, and no power. Anyone have any ideas on how to fix (apart from testing the loom backwards until I get power)?

Related question: Does a car have to have a high level brake light to pass an mot? I know if there is one fitted, it has to work, but what about full removal?

Thanks in advance


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[Jonny Jeep]

If the third brake light is in the tailgate the wire break is most likely in, or very close to, the flexi tubing the wires runs in between the tailgate and body.

As far as the MOT goes here's what required.

Vehicles first used on or after 1 January 1971 must be fitted with two obligatory stop lamps.

Additional stop lamps fitted and connected must be tested. Where extra lamps are fitted and there is doubt as to whether they are connected, the benefit of this doubt should be given to the presenter.

I wonder if that would be covered by telling them it's not currently connected.

[XJ Fan]

Thanks Jonny, handy information. I wonder if I simply remove the light fitting, leaving the hole, if that would suffice?


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[Dave69]

if its not fitted it cant be tested,

IIRC if a car is relatively new (post 95 etc) then it must be fitted with a high 3rd brake light which must work. morst likely needs further confirmation. There is an online mot manual that can be refered to in regards to queires.

[Jonny Jeep]

I quoted the online manual above, now edited into a quote to make it clearer. There's no mention of any year past 1971 regarding brake lights.

[XJ Fan]

Thanks both. IIRC mk1 XJs don't have a third brake light, and they were in production to what, 1997? I think I will just remove it, and cross my fingers. I won't be able to fix it in the 2 week window I have.

[Brynjaminjones]

I think the later MK1s have one at the bottom of the rear windscreen, behind the glass

[Mike Pavelin]

IIRC if a car is relatively new (post 95 etc) then it must be fitted with a high 3rd brake light which must work. .

Nope.