We’ve been told by the company we lease our lorries from that 7.5 tonners don’t legally need to have either working reverse lights or a reverse bleeper. Both are fitted and both stopped working on one of the new ‘12’ plate LF45’s.
Also
All the LF’s 7.5, 12 & 13 tonners (6 vehicles all 61 and 12 plate) are showing signs of water and ‘mayo’ at the end of the dip sticks. There is also mayo on the underside of the filler caps. Now in my day, this meant oil and water mixing which was generally not good however, this is completely normal according to the lease company.
so, as the title says, they can’t be right, can they?
‘mayo’ is normally a sign of coolant getting into the oil, it emulsifies, hence causing the ‘mayo’ effect.
as far as i am aware, every vehicle on the road requires a functioning reverse light, but not a buzzer. are you sure the buzzer use doesn’t work when the lights are on? my wagon’s buzzer doesn’t sound with lights on (Iveco)
I’m fairly certain, on cars at least, that working reversing lights are not part of the MOT so assuming our wonderful UK laws are the same, they are correct in stating that, though as far as the VOSA issue is concerned, it will depend on the examiner at the time as to whether you’ll get issued. Just checked the goods vehicle MOT checklist & reversing lamps are not mentioned: http://www.dft.gov.uk/vosa/repository/2012%20Consolidated%20HGV%20Inspection%20Manual.pdf
As far as the emulsifying is concerned I’d say it is a problem, though it may just be a condensation issue rather than a leak, but as they are leased vehicles, the problem is theirs in the long-term.
Cold Up North:
I dont think that reverse beepers are compulsary below 7.5t and I dont think that a reverse light is compulsary as some trailers don’t have them.
Someone with a VOSA MOT test manual could tell you better.
CBC.
reverse lights and bleepers have never been compulsary (not part of the anual test) much like hi vis vests!!! but i believe reverse lights are to be introduced as a new item for test
tallyman:
I’m fairly certain, on cars at least, that working reversing lights are not part of the MOT so assuming our wonderful UK laws are the same, they are correct in stating that, though as far as the VOSA issue is concerned, it will depend on the examiner at the time as to whether you’ll get issued. Just checked the goods vehicle MOT checklist & reversing lamps are not mentioned: http://www.dft.gov.uk/vosa/repository/2012%20Consolidated%20HGV%20Inspection%20Manual.pdf
As far as the emulsifying is concerned I’d say it is a problem, though it may just be a condensation issue rather than a leak, but as they are leased vehicles, the problem is theirs in the long-term.
You’re right. For some reason I was thinking of pre 1979 cars and foglights… Blonde moment.
Your vehicles must be leased with maintenance included or they wouldn’t be saying this. So are the leasing company going to reduce the monthly rental because these lights don’t work then? Tell the tight-fisted whatnots that they are GOING to pay to have them fixed. If that’s their attitude then personally I’d keep quiet about the mayo and let them fork out for whatever repairs result.
only lights required by law to work are marker lights, sidelights,indicators and break lights to the rear of a vehicle, never seen any vosa bod checking reverse lights on test or at the roadside check
sorry forgot the fog light and number plate lights as well
Firstly im not sure on the lights but i dont think reverse lights or buzzer are actually legal neccesities but you can easily check by checking vosa guide to mot testing, but i would say not, mayo in the filler cap could easly be just condensation, check engine oil all the way down dipstick…
If the trucks are on 12 plates then surely the reversing lamp/alarm is a warranty issue, which any DAF dealer should handle for you without the lease company being involved?
Even if this equipment is not obligatory, if the truck reversed into someone/thing and they weren’t working it might well count as contributory/aggravating issue.
The oil contamination issue may just be the engine not getting hot enough for the condensation forming in it to boil off. Keep an eye on the coolant level though.
i can confirm that reverse lights and buzzers are not checked as part of the hgv test and im pretty sure its nothing to do with the roadside vosa bods although they work to a different manual to the testing chaps
Just drive them into the sea,they’ll be better off there and probably worth more money as part of a coral reef (or uk equivalent)…Daf’s are rubbish and i’m pretty sure that has been proved as fact.
Reverse lights do not need to work they are a non testable item.
Dafs always without fail have mayo on the dipstick due to condensation in the tube. The dipsticks on the 45s are ■■■■ on a fish half an inch between min n max that’s when you can read it after its dragged all the ■■■■■ up the tube lol.
Reversing lamps are not necessary nor are they tested when fitted, reversing alarms are not compulsory for MOT, they are only advised by HSE, but if fitted must be able to be silenced.
mayonnaise in the filler cap would probably point to condensation rather than a head gasket, especially on 61 plate and newer.
If you are unsure about the creamy substance, you need to have the seven hundred and ten checked, ask the maintenance unit to order a new one if it doesn’t improve.
Blonde moment.
