Lights

Many modern cars are now designed so that their lights are built as a one-piece unit known as a cluster. These are easier for the manufacturer to produce than the older type of light unit, which is fitted separately to the car. Read more

It is essential to keep your car lights in good working order all the time. Apart from being dangerous, a defective light may also be illegal. If you do find a defective light unit, and you know the bulb is not at fault, the problem may lie in the light unit itself. Read more

Reversing lights are not generally a legal requirement but they are useful. They serve two purposes - to warn other road-users you are about to reverse, and to provide light if you are reversing in the dark. Read more

The majority of indicator stalks are mounted on the side of the steering column so you can easily operate them without having to release your grip on the steering wheel. Most modern stalks also have a self-cancelling device that is operated by the moving part of the steering column. This automatically switches the indicators off after you have turned into a bend. Read more

Reversing is one of the most difficult manoeuvres you can perform with your car, especially at night. The manoeuvre is made much safer and easier if your car has a pair of reversing lights, which come on automatically when you engage reverse gear to light up the area behind your car. Read more

Brake lights are a vital warning signal to other road-users and a legal requirement, so you need to make sure they are always in working order. You should check them every day but, because this is awkward to do on your own, they are often checked only rarely if at all. Read more