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Lamps, Reflectors & Electrical (Group B)

Headlamps and their aim, position and stop lamps, indicators, fog lamps, tell-tales and wiring — and how the manual categorises each defect.

What this topic covers

Headlamps and their aim, position and stop lamps, indicators, fog lamps, tell-tales and wiring — and how the manual categorises each defect. The full MOT Tester Annual Assessment app contains 40 questions on this topic, each referenced to its section of the DVSA manual.

Worked examples

Here are a few practice questions from this topic. Try answering each before reading the explanation.

Example 1

One of a car's two headlamps is completely inoperative. What is your action?

A. Major ✓ correct
B. Minor
C. Pass
D. Dangerous

Explanation: A headlamp missing or inoperative is Major. Minor covers an LED headlamp with up to half its light sources out, which is not the same as a lamp that does nothing. Passing would leave a vehicle with one working headlamp. Dangerous is not a listed category anywhere in the headlamp section. (Section 4.1.1, defect (a)(ii))

Example 2

During a dipped-beam check the beam image is obviously incorrect for the type of headlamp fitted. What is your action?

A. Major ✓ correct
B. Minor
C. Pass
D. Dangerous

Explanation: An obviously incorrect beam image is Major, alongside aim outside the laid-down limits and aim that cannot be tested at all. Minor is not offered for headlamp aim. Passing would leave an incorrectly aimed beam in service. Dangerous is not used in this section. (Section 4.1.2, defect (c))

Example 3

A tinting product has been applied over a headlamp lens, obviously reducing the light intensity. What is your action?

A. Major ✓ correct
B. Minor
C. Pass
D. Dangerous

Explanation: A product on the lens or light source that obviously reduces intensity or changes the emitted colour is Major. Minor is not offered for headlamp compliance defects. Passing would accept a deliberate reduction in headlamp output. Dangerous is not used in this section. (Section 4.1.4, defect (b))

Example 4

A front position lamp is showing a red light to the front. What is your action?

A. Major ✓ correct
B. Minor
C. Pass
D. Dangerous

Explanation: A lamp showing red to the front, white to the rear, or with heavily reduced intensity is Major. The Minor tier covers colour, position or intensity merely not in accordance with the requirements, which is a lesser finding than red showing forward. Passing would leave a vehicle displaying the wrong colour to oncoming traffic. Dangerous is not used at this section. (Section 4.2.3, defects (a)(i) and (a)(ii))

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More MOT Tester study notes

Get all 40 questions on this topic in the MOT Tester Annual Assessment app.