Seeking amber

[DiyNutJob]

The micra gets excessively frequent MOT advisories on the rear indicator lights fading in colour. This problem is partly an entrapment by the car manufacturer. The housing plastic for the indicator is white. Hence any light coming through is whitened. I am unconvinced they have done the plastic that way accidently. Is there such a thing as an extra-amber bulb to counter this problem?

Left to right: china, bosch, and lumro. China bulb is the best of the bunch in appearance and during light up, but it is not E-marked or legal. Bosch is brand new and I estimate it to be borderline "faded" in MOT. Lumro is 3 years old and blown. I don't believe it had faded, and was made that way. The lumro was bought on the claim by the ebay seller of being natural amber glass, which was bull ox. It seems obviously now that no amber glass could receive an e-mark because the marking scheme would be for profit by forcing expiring of bulbs frequently caused by degradation of the bulb coating.

China was was happy to give me 10 bulbs for free after I pointed out those lacked the e-mark while product images shown otherwise. These can't be used because if the insurance finds them, any claim however unrelated would be declined.

 

[Mottie]

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[Mottie]

These can't be used because if the insurance finds them, any claim however unrelated would be declined.

Yawn. Here we go again. All cobblers. What tyres are on it? Brakes shoe/pad material? Discs? Cam cover gasket? Timing belt? Battery? Does it have 20 year old oil in the engine? Do you seriously expect us to believe any insurance claim will be refused because of an unapproved indicator bulb or are you just looking for a 30 page argument?

 

[Burnerman]

So long as it’s a 21W bulb, who cares?
John

 

[DiyNutJob]

So long as it’s a 21W bulb, who cares?
John

I reckon you should care. Non-e-marked are not legal.

 

[DiyNutJob]

are you just looking for a 30 page argument?

It can be arranged. It's all fun and games until you get a decline.

 

[Burnerman]

For sure, I wouldn’t dabble with non e tyres for example, but for bulbs I’d take the risk.
If I could be arsed to source them of course......I just ask my motor factor, buy the bulbs in 10 packs and forget all about it.
John

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Yawn. Does it have 20 year old oil in the engine? Do you seriously expect us to believe any insurance claim will be refused because of an unapproved indicator bulb or are you just looking for a 30 page argument?

Is the correct answer!

 

[Mottie]

China was was happy to give me 10 bulbs for free after I pointed out those lacked the e-mark while product images shown otherwise. These can't be used because if the insurance finds them, any claim however unrelated would be declined.

This insurer (I don't use them, just a random find): https://www.click4warranty.co.uk/blog/what-modifications-affect-car-insurance/

says:
2. Manufacturer Parts Replacement: Replacing existing car parts with manufacturer-approved parts typically doesn’t affect your insurance, as long as they don’t enhance performance or significantly increase the car’s value.

Would those China bulbs enhance the performance or increase the cars value?

You seem to be contradicting yourself which is not unusual for you is it? Yep, I think it’s just the 30 page argument you are after. Count me out.

 

[flameport]

This problem

If the lamp really has 'faded' fit a new one. It's a £2 part that lasts for years.
Millions of vehicles have amber lamps for the indicators. Millions do NOT have problems with them fading.

Buying shyte from the likes of ebay and direct from China vendors in an attempt to save 1p is the cause of your problems.

These can't be used because if the insurance finds them, any claim however unrelated would be declined.

In the unlikely event of your car being the subject of an insurance claim, it will be taken directly to the crusher and they will give you the £50 it's worth.
No one will look at or care what indicator lamps were installed.

 

[Burnerman]

I'm out.......life's too short.
John

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

If the lamp really has 'faded' fit a new one. It's a £2 part that lasts for years.

They don't fade, but rather the amber coating soon flakes off the glass. The simple, permanent fix, is to wrap some amber filter material tightly round the lamps, after the amber is scrapped off.

 

[johnny2007]

I've sent a text to my brother who worked as an accident assessor/inspector or whatever they're called for axa insurance for over 10 years.
Let's see what he says...

 

[DiyNutJob]

This man has the right answer ^^^. The probability of them checking is low if the claim is cheap. If the the accident is with an expensive third party car, then they will be searching for non-compliance with a fine comb.

 

[DiyNutJob]

They don't fade, but rather the amber coating soon flakes off the glass. The simple, permanent fix, is to wrap some amber filter material tightly round the lamps, after the amber is scrapped off.

You would be modding a regulated part. If you don't declare, your claim is declined.