Imported car, failed mot, questions

Wa gwan.

My partner bought a Japanese import Nissan Cube from a dealer in that London around a year ago.

The car is pretty dope to be honest. It’s mint condition but…

A not my partners cube pictured recently

We put it through its first(to us) mot yesterday, and it failed because it didn’t have a fog light fitted. The inspector explained that he cannot by law pass it without a working fog lamp.

Seemingly they don’t have fog in Japan. Either that or they find that regular lights are adequate and people only leave them on all the time anyway…etc.

When we bought the car it had 12 months fresh mot which presumably the importer bloke sorted out.
So it would seem that this mot was somewhat ‘creative’ as it shouldn’t have been able to pass.

We’re looking at about £200-250 maybe to get one fitted but we’ve lost out on the test fee too (unless they do a free retest. Not sure) so it’s not inconsiderable money-wise.

Obviously we’re going to contact the dealer who we bought it from but I suppose they’re likely to tell us to jog on.
Even if they asked us to bring the car back to remedy it, it’s a long journey from where we live, plus it doesn’t seem like they’d put much care into the job.

It feels like really we should be reporting the dealer and the test centre because as I understand it, importers have to make the cars fully uk road legal. I may well have that wrong though. Admittedly I don’t know much about it, though the dealer must be putting shed loads of imported cars onto uk roads every year and getting around this somehow. They had very good reviews as a dealer and our experience was pretty good, albeit unusual.

My partner was going to ring the dealer but I suggested email so we’d have a record of any reply.

Anyone had similar?
What to do?
Go on with our lives, meaningless as they are?
Bombers?
Shoes avec wee?
Frozen sausages?
Dogs?

Firstly have you double checked there isn’t one? Will be an aftermarket switch and possibly not obvious that it’s the rear fog.

Shouldn’t be anywhere near £200 to fit, on my jdm van I’ve used one of the 2 reversing lights and fitted an orange bulb, wiring and switch (probably under £20 all in). Worst case there are plenty of bolt/stick on lights that can be hooked up, again for sub £20.

I’d just give the dealer a call and see what they say, might be able to point you in the right direction.

I once had an MOT garage do work that wasn’t necessary as per the MOT regs, and so reported them. Made me feel better but no discernable outcome or ramifications for the garage.

I’m sure if you did a bit of googling into hazards around importing cars this issue would come up. And to me having a car MOT’d by a seller is a total fiddle anyhow. If you were just a little crooked you’d overlook faults to enhance the market value gained with a fresh MOT and get it out the door.

My stepwgn has LED foglights in the rear bumper (replacing the rear reflectors) rather than the usual light bolted on and hanging down. Think you can get them for a lot of cars now.

Any switches on the dash that the tester may have missed?

Looks cool. But I’m surprised it didn’t also fail on the rear wheels being outside the arches.

Firstly have you double checked there isn’t one? Will be an aftermarket switch and possibly not obvious that it’s the rear fog.

Shouldn’t be anywhere near £200 to fit

Yes, had a real good look last night. Been on a Cube Facebook group and it seems it’s a thing that does come up now and again.
I’ve looked everywhere for a switch. The place where most Cube owners seem to have theirs is a blanked switch on ours.

I guess the cost to fit is in neatly routing the wires internally and the labour involved.

I can certainly do it myself as I’ve fitted reversing lights etc on my van but I sort of would rather not have to. It’s a pain.

I’m sure if you did a bit of googling into hazards around importing cars this issue would come up.

Yes, it does.

Looks cool. But I’m surprised it didn’t also fail on the rear wheels being outside the arches.

That’s not ours btw. 😉 ours is standard.

To pass mot on the day of test you need a bolt on fog lamp (7.99 from Screwfix or Halfords), 5 metres of automotive cable and a switch (say another £5) some crimps and an hour of time. I wouldn’t bother even hiding the wires or making a smart job of the switch for now. Just wire it in and get the ticket. Then spend a bit of time doing a tidy install if you feel up to it.

But as mentioned above. Do not rule out the fact there may be a fog light that the test centre just haven’t found how to turn on yet!

Yeah, are you sure it’s not somewhere hidden behind another switch that the tester couldn’t find?
I’ve had a fair few imports, and quite often an OEM switch was used, but not an actual fog one (although IIRC it does need to be clear that it’s for the fog)

Most JDM wagons are full of mad stuff, are you sure they’re isn’t a button that you thought just shot laser beams into the sky or something that’s actually the fog switch?

Often reflectors or, as above, reverse lights are used to house the actual bulb. That’s how I’ve always done mine, as opposed to one of those stick on square monstrosities.

Tbh I don’t think you’ll get anywhere chasing the importer 🙁

To pass mot on the day of test you need a bolt on fog lamp (7.99 from Screwfix or Halfords), 5 metres of automotive cable and a switch (say another £5) some crimps and an hour of time. I wouldn’t bother even hiding the wires or making a smart job of the switch for now. Just wire it in and get the ticket. Then spend a bit of time doing a tidy install if you feel up to it.

Yeah, I thought a bolt on one, but my partner says that the tester impressed on her that it had to be done properly in a dash switch housing etc.
I’m not sure that’s true exactly but hey, at least there are some testers out there that GAS what goes through.

I’ve heard of some import places that use a clip-on fog light to get cars through their first MOT, they do a few cars all at once and just move the light to each car as it’s being tested. Doesn’t seem particularly kosher but it’s down to how the MOT test rules can be interpreted.

That aside, £200 is WAY off the mark. As others have said, plenty of much cheaper options available. Quick scan of eBay suggest you should be able to sort out for about £12.

Yeah, are you sure it’s not somewhere hidden behind another switch that the tester couldn’t find?

The tester, AND me.

Most JDM wagons are full of mad stuff, are you sure they’re isn’t a button that you thought just shot laser beams into the sky or something that’s actually the fog switch?

Quite possibly! 😂

, on my jdm van I’ve used one of the 2 reversing lights and fitted an orange bulb, wiring and switch (probably under £20 all in)

Is that legal then to ‘borrow’ one of the reversing lights?
I think the Cube has two and it’s something I’ve seen mentioned on the Cube Facebook pages.

I’ve heard of some import places that use a clip-on fog light to get cars through their first MOT, they do a few cars all at once and just move the light to each car as it’s being tested. Doesn’t seem particularly kosher but it’s down to how the MOT test rules can be interpreted.

Yes, this is my theory on what they must do, though obviously I wouldn’t be able to tell one way or the other.

Yup, you only need 1 reversing light.
My current car’s got through 12 MOTs with that setup.
I’ve had at least 3 other cars I ran like that as well 🙂

Didn’t buy it from Keighley, did you?

PS Cubes are awesome

Are you totally sure the Test centre is correct? They may be wrong. It has been known…

Thanks Submarined. I reckon that’s the route I’ll have to go down. 😊👍

defo sounds like the importer fudged it through. I have had a couple of Jap imports and they all had a fog light retro fitted.

Also be aware, some garages will do it nicely and integrate it into the rear cluster (maybe replace a reverse bulb if it has two and wire accordingly). Others will just bolt on something that hangs below the rear bumper and some will cut and shut the bumper.

So if you get someone to do it, make sure you know what you are getting/happy with.

I believe the button also has to have some sort of illumination to show when the light is on.

But it is a simple job in the grand scheme of things.

Can you look at the previous MOT online to see if there is any mention? But i would definitely contact them and ask for their advice or help. I am guessing the ideal outcome would be for the garage to cover the costs of the fog light install?

I believe the button also has to have some sort of illumination to show when the light is on.

Ah yeah, so long since I looked at mine, pretty sure that’s the case!

Ring the selling dealer, tell him it failed the test and ask him where the switch is for the fog light. Depending on his answer determines what you do next.

So if you get someone to do it, make sure you know what you are getting/happy with.

I believe the button also has to have some sort of illumination to show when the light is on.

Very true. Not that keen on the original importer doing the work as, what the F do they care?…

Yes I think it does have to be illuminated.

Can you look at the previous MOT online to see if there is any mention?

Yes, there isn’t any mention. Passed with no advisories. It really is in good condition.

Ring the selling dealer, tell him it failed the test and ask him where the switch is for the fog light. Depending on his answer determines what you do next.

Yes, we’re going to do this, though I thought email, so we’ve a record of what elaborate excuse he conjures up. 😂

Perhaps they thought they were doing the world a favour by keeping another one of the abominations off the road! 🙂

I would clip/blue tack one into the read window inside, run a cable and some switch or other within reach of the driver. Job Jobbed, then neaten up later.

I would also email importer and ask how it was first MOT’d without this….

A lot of cars only have one reversing and one fog light so completely fine to switch a second reversing bulb

Perhaps they thought they were doing the world a favour by keeping another one of the abominations off the road!

😳 Heathen… 😉

I would clip/blue tack one into the rear window inside

Is there anything that says they have to be outside the car? I did think about using an aftermarket brake light such as that goes at the top of your rear window but wasn’t sure if it had to be a certain way or position.

my partner says that the tester impressed on her that it had to be done properly in a dash switch housing etc.

It has to be an illuminated switch with a symbol that clearly denotes its purpose and only operable when sidelights are on. I don’t think the regs specify anything other than that. The rh reversing light could house it if it’s a suitable height and distance from the side of the car.

A lot of cars only have one reversing and one fog light so completely fine to switch a second reversing bulb

It may be legal but its a pretty rubbish place for a fog light. Having one hanging below the bumper might look a bit rough but it is a good functional location

The ginger one has it…

Phone the importer and tell them the MOT failed as you have to have a rear fog light and neither you nor the tester can find the switch/light…
Say your probably being blind, but can they tell you where they installed it and how its operated.

3 possible outcomes
1 – They tell you where it is, job jobbed
2 – They fess up, and offer to fit/cover the cost of fitting to avoid being reported
3 – They tell you to jog on.

Good chance of 2 or 3 I’d say, but in the case of 3, I’d report to the authorities, and just find a dedicated auto sparky to fit a fog light, in the scheme of car ownership <£200ish isn’t much really, what two tanks of fuel nowadays 😉

Seems to be something importers get away with I had to rewire a couple of JDM imports for a fog light. It was a while ago but I think I changed one reverse bulb for red and wired to front fog switch. It didn’t have to be bright! Another time I’m I used 2 if the 4 rear brake lights as fogs again just wired to front fogs which seem to be standard on JDM. Cost next to nothing but I’m happy soldering etc.

section 4.5.3 – MOT testers hand book on actual requirements as oppose to the many made up ones on here.

Construction and use regs are one thing – the MOT is a much easier process – Personally its overly easy and cars that pass are still left in an unroadworthy state…..

Front and rear fog lamp switches may be combined or independent switches.

The switch or switches must:

be secure
be able to be operated from the normal driving position
operate the fog lamps as intended
Rear fog lamps may be combined with the rear position lamps. Front and rear fog lamps are permitted to operate independently of any other lamps or ignition systems. The function of a fog lamp must not be adversely affected by the operation of any other lamp.

Interestingly, the reverse lights aren’t part of the MOT, so you could always just run that wiring to a dash switch instead of the gearbox switch and put red bulbs in.

Is that legal then to ‘borrow’ one of the reversing lights?
I think the Cube has two and it’s something I’ve seen mentioned on the Cube Facebook pages.

Yes, perfectly legal. You can also get LED bulbs that can light red/amber and also white so can be wired up to retain both reverse and fog lights – I’ll be changing to this at some point.

It may be legal but its a pretty rubbish place for a fog light. Having one hanging below the bumper might look a bit rough but it is a good functional location

Eh? That makes no sense… reverse lights are usually built into the rear light clusters as are the fog lights on non JDM cars.

Under the bumper is a way worse location as it not only looks gash but is going to get covered in salt/mud etc so more likely to fail and when in use less visible than being higher higher up the body of the vehicle.

is there a fog light switch (or any switch) here? directly under the vent to the left of the four way toggle

A lot of cars only have one reversing and one fog light so completely fine to switch a second reversing bulb

It may be legal but its a pretty rubbish place for a fog light. Having one hanging below the bumper might look a bit rough but it is a good functional location

My Seat Leon is like that from the factory. Foglight on one side and reversing light on the other. I guess lots of cars are like that also.

is there a fog light switch (or any switch) here? directly under the vent to the left of the four way toggle

It’s kind of like this, only with just one blank switch port. There is nothing anywhere that looks anything like a fog lamp switch and I’ve twiddled everything.

I even tried tapping my left foot 3 times while pulling down the sun visor and saying ‘lamp’ twice, just in case, but still no fog lamp 😐

Following this to see what solutions are available as my Mini has one of these:

Under the bumper is a way worse location as it not only looks gash but is going to get covered in salt/mud etc so more likely to fail and when in use less visible than being higher higher up the body of the vehicle.

It’s a pain as it’s all corroded, works loose on most journeys and looks terrible. Definitely go for something decent and discrete if you can.

Interestingly, the reverse lights aren’t part of the MOT, so you could always just run that wiring to a dash switch instead of the gearbox switch and put red bulbs in.

Oh really? The MOT Inspection Manual says different (for cars first used on or after 1st September 2009, anyway):
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/mot-inspection-manual-for-private-passenger-and-light-commercial-vehicles/4-lamps-reflectors-and-electrical-equipment#section-4-6-1

Interestingly, the reverse lights aren’t part of the MOT

I don’t think that’s true.

4.6.1. Condition and operation
You must inspect all reversing lamps fitted to vehicles first used from 1 September 2009 other than quadricycles and three-wheeled vehicles.

Reversing lamps must show a white light to the rear. On some vehicles it may be necessary to have the engine running before the reversing lamps will work.

At least one reversing lamp must be fitted.

and looks terrible. Definitely go for something decent and discrete if you can.

I suppose, if you prioritise how your lights look rather than how they function.

IMO fog lights should be well separated from brake lights. I know plenty of manufacturers don’t do it but lighting clusters seem to be becoming a style thing these days, rather than fit for purpose. There are some ridiculous ones out there now. Maybe it’s a plan to get BMW drivers to want to use the indicators 🙂

If you’re going to put a red bulb in one of your reverse lamp holders, make sure it’s the – literal – right one. I had to swap my fog and reverse lamps over when I brought my car to Europe.

That’s not ours btw. 😉 ours is standard.

Kayak and partner heading down to the MOT station with new lights 😉🤣🙃

Fog light regulations – link

In summary can be central or RH side, must be between 250mm and 1000mm above ground, so back window’s no good.

Must also have a tell tale i.e. warning light so that you don’t drive around with it on all the time (unless it’s a BMW 🙂 )

Also (strictly) needs an approval mark.