Got a new Melotti tail tidy on the 1098. The number plate light they now supply is the type that is a case with 4 LEDs projecting downwards from the case but the LEDs are totally exposed no shield around them. The type they supplied before had the LEDs encased so as the light only projected downward. I came across a similar conundrum when I had as R&G tail tidy. I replaced the R&G light with one from M&P (the R&G one kept splitting due to vibration) and this was a 4 LED job with the LEDs encased in a clear plastic shield but the LEDs could still be seen from the rear. With that one I used shrink sleeve and glue to make a cover so as the LEDs could not be seen from the rear and only shone down onto the plate. Even with these lights over the top of the plate the LEDs still show up as white/blue white. My MOT tester who is VERY reasonable and more than fair, commented that he thought it could be construed as showing a white light to the rear and could be a cause of a test fail (although he didn't). I was thinking exactly the same thing even before the test. Also thinking that plod on a bad day could possibly use it as an excuse to relieve you of dosh too. The thing is are these things not meant to homologated (if I spelt it right) it just seems to me a gray area I could do without. God knows with HIDs and these QD exhausts I got enough to worry about Just wondering if anybody else has experienced similar problems or has any comments. John
Technically, you're right. It's showing a white light to the rear and should fail. My tester would fail.......Not sure if it breaks use and construction for same reason and could therefore warrant blue lights in your mirrors. Many aftermarket stuff doesn't meet with all the rules. TUV approval is a good marker, but doesn't necessarily mean it will meet UK spec. Type approval costs a lot of money so is often not pursued. The lights that used to come with Evoluzione tail tidy's caused the same problems and I used to sleeve them.
