Indicator Repeater Issue

[qisar]

Hi all,

Recently a delivery driver kindly reversed into my vehicle and drove off, leaving me with a big bill and having to find a replacement front o/s wing, after mine was damaged beyond repair. 

Due to the age of my vehicle (1993) there are now limited spare parts available, however I was able to find a new, patent wing on eBay for around £40. This was shipped to me quickly and a local body shop was contacted, who subsequently painted the wing and fitted it to my vehicle. No problems here. 

Now, here's where the problem arises. The original wing had a hole present for an indicator repeater, which was not present on the new, patent part. The body shop who painted the wing and fitted it to my car, did not cut a hole out for the repeater as they claimed that this was not an MOT requirement, and that cutting such a hole would cause the new wing to "rust". After contacting a local garage however, they have claimed that having the repeater is a requirement and that it not being present would result in an MOT fail. 

So, who is right here? Is it the body shop or garage? 

[rhyds]

First off, what kind of car is it?

Secondly, some of the MOT testers can confirm, but I'd imagine that if the car was originally fitted with side repeaters then its required to have them now.

[remmington]

May 13, 2021 17:22:53 GMT 1 rhyds said:

First off, what kind of car is it?

Secondly, some of the MOT testers can confirm, but I'd imagine that if the car was originally fitted with side repeaters then its required to have them now.

Yeah - what sort of car is it?

[rhyds]

My guess is either an LR defender or a Golf MK2 as they'd still be selling those in 1993, but would have wing pressings available without repeater mounts

[Joepublic]

May 13, 2021 19:12:15 GMT 1 rhyds said:

My guess is either an LR defender or a Golf MK2 as they'd still be selling those in 1993, but would have wing pressings available without repeater mounts

MK3 began in 92

[qisar]

May 13, 2021 17:22:53 GMT 1 rhyds said:

First off, what kind of car is it?

Secondly, some of the MOT testers can confirm, but I'd imagine that if the car was originally fitted with side repeaters then its required to have them now.

Peugeot 106.

[studabear]

Side repeaters have been a legal requirement since around 1987

[valhalla]

Do you still have the old wing with the side-repeater?

Assuming the unit is not damaged, and it isn't the end of the world to source a new indicator - even if it is a generic one from someone like Car Builder Solutions - then it is not a bad job to just apply masking-tape to the area of the wing that you need to cut, and just run a hole-saw through the middle of it. The exposed steel can be protected in any one-coat paint that comes to mind/hand (AKA Hammerite/Smoothrite), as it is unlike to react with anything under it, and will be hidden by the indicator-repeater once it is fitted. Just use an artist's brush to apply a little paint around the cut hole from both sides of the wing, and the job is done.

[upkeep]

Common practice to cut the hole for the indicator in the Bodyshop world

[eddypeck]

1985 in UK for a side repeater, but not in other countries.


So for the example of a mk2 Golf which was available during this period. The repeater was part of the wing and the hole was there. In 85 cars there was a blank, in 86 a repeater. But European cars still had a blank. Because kids these days think it's cool they'll often get blanks off ebay and replace their repeaters. Passing MOTs is pot luck, depending on if the tester is taking notice of the year or just letting it fly because it's an 'old' car.

Imported variants they we didn't get in the UK, G60, Rallye, Country etc. all have blanks up to 1992. Can't speak for what happened on the MK3 from 93 onwards.

So I doubt this is VW but for other manufactures where a similar situation would be in play, I expect the wings come without a hole. Even if dealer supplied UK stock had a hole, I suspect an aftermarket wing would most likely be produced for the European market and would require a hole cutting.



Back to the Mk2 Golf, the scuttle repair panel, even genuine VW panel does not have a hole for the 'drivers side' wiper. As they are all produced for LHD market. 

I'd say it's the Bodyshops error. And even more so as they made the conscious decision not to cut it based incorrect information. I'm guessing this wasn't done through insurance?

[eddypeck]

Just spotted the 106 answer.

Very typical for French, Non UK early car has a solid wing.





But even if the body shop was right on the dates (they're not) if it's fitted it must work. So the fact it's fitted one side means the car has (or should have) side repeaters. On what planet would you have one! I gather they left the other side in place???

[upkeep]

106 in Europe had no right hand door mirror, French 605 had carbs no fuel injection or cats all uk 605's had fuel injection and cats with a much better trim level.