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By Jeremy Powell · 2 November 2026 · 4 minute read
A dark morning is a poor time to discover that one of your lights has stopped working. You might be leaving for an early shift, taking the children to school or heading to a customer’s house in your van. Either way, a simple walk-round while you’re parked can save a lot of hassle.
You don’t need specialist equipment for a first check. Give yourself five minutes, choose a safe, level place to park, and keep the engine running only if your vehicle needs it for the lights to operate. Follow the handbook for your particular vehicle, especially if its lights switch themselves off after a short time.
Start with the front
Turn on the sidelights, then the dipped headlights. Walk to the front and check both sides are illuminated. Look for a noticeably dimmer lamp, flickering, damaged lenses or condensation that doesn’t clear. A little temporary misting can occur, but standing water or persistent heavy condensation deserves investigation.
Next, try main beam and check that the blue dashboard symbol responds. Don’t aim the beams into another driver’s eyes, and never use main beam where it could dazzle someone. If you have front fog lamps, check them too, then switch them off.
The Highway Code says lights and number plates must be clean and clear, and lights must be correctly adjusted so they don’t dazzle. A working bulb is only part of the job: a dirty or badly aimed lamp can still make it difficult to see and be seen.
Check the rear without guessing
Walk behind the car with the sidelights or dipped headlights on. Are both rear position lamps illuminated? Is the rear number plate light working? The rear lights can be surprisingly easy to overlook because the dashboard may look perfectly normal even when a lamp has failed.
Brake lights are easier with a helper. Ask someone to press the pedal while you stand safely behind the parked vehicle. Check the high-level brake light as well as the lower ones. If you’re on your own, a garage door or shop window may show the reflection of the brake lights. Only use a reflection if you can see it clearly and the vehicle is secured; a helper is better than relying on a faint reflection.
For the reversing lights, use a helper and follow your vehicle’s safe operating procedure. Don’t leave a vehicle in gear, release the brake or stand behind a vehicle that could move just to test a lamp.
Indicators and hazards
Try the left and right indicators separately. Walk around to check both front and rear, and any side repeaters or mirror indicators. An unusually fast flashing indicator can be a clue that something is wrong, but it isn’t a substitute for looking.
Check the hazard warning lights while stationary. If a lamp flashes intermittently, appears much dimmer than its partner or has a broken lens, book an inspection. Check any trailer lighting separately if you tow for work.
The quick cleaning step
Winter road spray, salt and grime build up quickly. Wipe the headlamp and rear-light lenses, number plates and reflectors with a clean, soft cloth. Don’t scrape plastic lenses with gritty material. If you notice a cracked lens, exposed wiring or water inside a lamp, avoid makeshift repairs that might let more water in.
If your headlights are heavily clouded or yellowed, a garage can check whether restoration or replacement is appropriate. If other drivers keep flashing you, have the beam alignment checked rather than simply assuming they’re mistaken.
Why this matters for an MOT
Lighting defects are among the familiar reasons vehicles need attention at MOT time, but an MOT is not a substitute for daily roadworthiness checks. DVSA specifically encourages owners to check lamps and other basic safety items before the test. A car or van can become unsafe between MOTs.
GOV.UK says drivers should check that all lights work before driving. The Highway Code also requires sidelights and rear registration plate lights to be lit between sunset and sunrise, and headlights in the conditions specified by Rule 113.
If a light isn’t working, arrange a proper repair before using the vehicle where that light is required. If several lamps fail together, the fault may be more than a bulb; get an electrician or garage to investigate.
Save this five-minute routine
Before your next dark start, check front lamps, rear lamps, brake lights, indicators, hazards, number plate lights and the cleanliness of the lenses. A helper and five minutes are worth having. For work vans, put the check on your regular vehicle checklist so it doesn’t get forgotten on a busy morning.
Sources: GOV.UK vehicle safety checks; Highway Code, Rules 113–116; Highway Code, Annex 6; DVSA MOT maintenance advice.
These are basic checks, not a substitute for a garage inspection. The Highway Code on GOV.UK is the authority on the rules.
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Before the dark mornings arrive, spend five minutes checking your car or van lights. Park somewhere safe, switch on sidelights and dipped headlights, and walk around to see that both front and rear lamps work. Check indicators, hazards, the rear number plate light and any side repeaters. Ask a helper to press the brake pedal so you can check all the brake lights, including the high-level one. A clear reflection in a garage door or window can help, but don’t rely on a faint reflection. Wipe road dirt from lenses and number plates. Watch for cracked lenses, flickering lamps and heavy condensation. If something is wrong, get it checked before driving in conditions where the light is required. Your MOT is only a snapshot; roadworthiness matters every day. Full guide: https://powellhosts.co.uk/guides/winter/check-car-van-lights-before-winter
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