Emira's First MOT - It failed..

[geoffbland]

Fog lights are a lot brighter than normal tail lights and usually smaller to piece through the fog. Typically 25W instead of 5W. They do not come on automatically, I assume as it is difficult to design a sensor that measures visibility.
They can be dazzling if left on when visibility improves, especially to anyone wearing glasses to drive. It's really annoying to be behind one of those drivers that drives around with them on constantly - who probably doesn't even know how to turn them off.

https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1989/1796/schedule/11

 

[Beachbum]

The UK Highway Code says to only use the rear fog light if visibility drops below 100m
In my case I take that to mean that normal tail lights are not visible at 100m

Auto on headlights do not work in fog, you need to turn them on manually, which so many people do not do and just have their DRLs on, meaning no rear lights at all.

 

[JimyFloyd]

I'm glad this wasn't just me (well not really, but you know what I mean!). Mine failed it's first MOT on this and I'd never used it (SORN in winter). Seems like it was a manufacturing issue from the get go.

I'd love to know whether or not this worked from new...! Seems odd that the reverse light has been fine, but the fog light broke...!

 

[geoffbland]

The UK Highway Code says to only use the rear fog light if visibility drops below 100m
In my case I take that to mean that normal tail lights are not visible at 100m

Auto on headlights do not work in fog, you need to turn them on manually, which so many people do not do and just have their DRLs on, meaning no rear lights at all.

Be really careful using full headlights in fog it's often better to just side lights. The main headlights can reflect back off the water droplets in the fog and significantly reduce your visibility. I've had lots of practice with this driving around the Pennines where we get a lot of fog.

https://nationalhighways.co.uk/road-safety/travelling-in-severe-weather/travelling-in-fog/

 

[FlashingBlade]

I'm glad this wasn't just me (well not really, but you know what I mean!). Mine failed it's first MOT on this and I'd never used it (SORN in winter). Seems like it was a manufacturing issue from the get go.

I'd love to know whether or not this worked from new...! Seems odd that the reverse light has been fine, but the fog light broke...!

You'd think it would be something that would be picked up on PDI.

I just contacted the dealer for an update. No ETA and part is on back order. Which means that the car will have to go off the road until they get it in.

Utterly ridiculous that Lotus doesnt have parts availability for basic parts.

 

[Colin P]

I'd be approaching the breakers on ebay to buy a second hand one. If in warranty then sending a bill to Lotus. I ended up having to do that with a part on my Alpine which was defective in a brand new car and where it took them a year without ever supplying the part they paid up with no arguments with an extra fiver or so for my trouble!..
Even if it became an issue its not worth having the car off the road for such a minor thing.
Given the comments on US cars though, I do wonder if it is a software issue, especially if the reverse light works - presumably the dealer has checked that.

 

[FlashingBlade]

Thats what I'm currently trying to do, find the part with a breaker or other second market. I've also sent an email to lotus customer service (not that I'm expecting that to do anything).

 

[geoffbland]

Could you buy an aftermarket one to attach to the back grill with a zip tie just to get you through the MOT?

 

[FlashingBlade]

It would be the wiring that would be the issue. I dont know what the connector is to the stock oem unit.

Lotus seem totally unbothered and I'm not going to use my dealer again after this is resolved for anthing other than the door replacements that I'm still waiting on. I'll use a specialist for servicing and anything that goes wrong from now on. I asked them for the part number so I can try and source one and they wouldnt give me it.

I dont know what they'd expect people to do if the Emira was their only car.

 

[Rayjoedef]

mine doesn't turn on!

 

[FlashingBlade]

Dont think US cars have them

 

[Colin P]

Part number. Interestingly only one part number which suggests to me that the non functioning US lights must be software.

 

[Beachbum]

Depending on how urgent it is to get the car back on the road, take the car to an independent and get them to fix it. Then have Lotus work out what caused the initial failure and then get it reverted back.

 

[FlashingBlade]

If I could get the part, I would. The alternative would be to do a make-do DIY fix and splice the wires which I suspect lotus would then use to invalidate the warranty claim.

I got a crappy email back from them today basically saying 'we'll be in touch'. I emailed back essentially saying go and take one off the production line or provide me with a courtesy car until they can supply the part.

Dont get me wrong, I'm trying to be reasonable and I dont mind waiting a short while for a part within a reasonable time, but its the open ended ETA for a really small part that isnt on. Are we talking weeks or months or longer? In the meantime, I'm paying £700 a month for a car that cant be used because of their supply chain.

I'm also going to look at claiming from the finance company if its going to be extended wait and I also reminded them of the Consumer Rights Act which states goods must be of satisfactory quality and durable, and where repair is the remedy it must be carried out within a reasonable time and without significant inconvenience to the consumer.

An open-ended wait for a lighting part on a three-year-old car still in production satisfies neither.

I really hate taking a hard nose approach but it seems they dont really care so it forces you down that route.

 

[Beachbum]

Unfortunately, I think car manufacturers have some get out clauses with regards to the Consumer Rights Act. No idea if those clauses give them a get out in this scenario, but something you might need to be aware of

 

[Beachbum]

If I could get the part, I would. The alternative would be to do a make-do DIY fix and splice the wires which I suspect lotus would then use to invalidate the warranty claim.

I got a crappy email back from them today basically saying 'we'll be in touch'. I emailed back essentially saying go and take one off the production line or provide me with a courtesy car until they can supply the part.

Dont get me wrong, I'm trying to be reasonable and I dont mind waiting a short while for a part within a reasonable time, but its the open ended ETA for a really small part that isnt on. Are we talking weeks or months or longer? In the meantime, I'm paying £700 a month for a car that cant be used because of their supply chain.

I'm also going to look at claiming from the finance company if its going to be extended wait and I also reminded them of the Consumer Rights Act which states goods must be of satisfactory quality and durable, and where repair is the remedy it must be carried out within a reasonable time and without significant inconvenience to the consumer.

An open-ended wait for a lighting part on a three-year-old car still in production satisfies neither.

I really hate taking a hard nose approach but it seems they dont really care so it forces you down that route.

They have been kind enough to supply their phone number, I would call them and keep hassling.
Mask your number, when you call, so they can not block it.

 

[FlashingBlade]

Unfortunately, I think car manufacturers have some get out clauses with regards to the Consumer Rights Act. No idea if those clauses give them a get out in this scenario, but something you might need to be aware of

They do and they dont. They dont have exemptions for the Act itself but in most cases, its not the car manufacturer who you have the contract with, its the finance company that supplied the car. If its going to be off the road for an undefined period of time, I'm going to try and negotiate reduced payments for that period. May or may not work but worth a try.

Meeting the payments isnt a problem for me, its just the principle of paying the money for something that cant be used.

 

[FlashingBlade]

I received an email yesterday from Lotus Escalations Team to say the part will now be at my dealer next week.

I really dont want to believe it was due to me acting all 'Karen' and making demands. I dont want to believe thats what it takes to get a resolution these days.

 

[Russc]

100% it`s because you kicked off i`m sure. Sad but true. Hopefully they get it sorted.

I would have gone all heath robinson and zip tied a light to the rear grill and ran a cheap halfords switch into the cabin but appreciate not everyone would want the hassle just to pass a MOT

Appreciate you letting the forum know though, i`ve just gone out and checked mine because of your post (it worked)

 

[FlashingBlade]

Unfortunately, you're probably right. I'd asked for a loan car, financial compensation for any transportation costs incurred, for them to take a fog light off the production line etc etc and escalation to the finance company and the ombudsmen.

Its nice to know they have an escalations department though, dont take the first response from customer services if you're not happy with it - escalate.