Wing mirrors ripped off - car still legal?

theukmoog

theukmoog

theukmoog

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Thanks to some drunken scrotes ripping both wing mirrors from my car at the weekend (along with some other cars along the road, judging by the debris on the path), I now have no wing mirrors and dread to think how much they will cost to replace (Ford Fusion - electrically adjustable and heated).

So, I was thinking about not bothering to replace them until I can park off-road again, in a few months time, as with my current run of luck they'd be sure to be ripped off again the day I get them replaced!

However, last night, a mate mentioned that he thought it was a legal requirement to have both wing mirrors, something I hadn't considered.

I've googled around this morning and found lots of very contradictory advice... so does anyone know the law on this? Is it a legal requirement to have one or both of the external 'wing' mirrors in working order in the UK?
 
What on earth made you buy a Fusion??

Same as you cant find a difinitive answer on google, i thin the police wouldn't notice you unless you got stopped at a checkpoint anyway.
 
I'm pretty sure it is a legal requirement, but even if it wasn't would you REALLY want to be driving around with no wing mirrors?! It'd be a monumentally stupid thing to do.
 
IIRC the drivers side one is a legal requirement, the near side is optional a long as you have a rear view mirror.

However I wouldn't want to do any driving without either unless I could entirely avoid multilane roads.
 
Minimum you'll get is a producer and be asked to aquire proper mirrors before the producer expires and prove that at a police station. You may get a points and fine if you're unlucky.

I think you're allowed to drive with just one mirror on the near side (passenger) but that may have changed now.
 
The minimum requirements to meet the law are two rear view mirrors, one of which must be an offside door/wing mirror, the other can be the interior mirror or a nearside door/wing mirror.
 
Hi,

You need one of the two exterior ones fitted to your vehicle fitted. But there is also safety aspect to this as well, changing lanes etc. i couldn't drive the vehicle without any wing mirrors, particular in current weather aswell having tobe super viglient for possible dangers.
 
[TW]Fox;13241209 said:
I dont understand how you could ever contemplate driving without mirrors. How will you change lanes etc? :confused:
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Are you telling me you only use your mirrors before changing lanes and never turn your head to check the blind spots... as I'd be more concerned about that!
 
theukmoog said:
Are you telling me you only use your mirrors before changing lanes and never turn your head to check the blind spots... as I'd be more concerned about that!
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Not at all, I use both mirrors and check the blind spot by turning my head. But i can't imagine driving without using my mirrors at all.

Pay for new mirrors or stop using the car.
 
[TW]Fox;13241209 said:
I dont understand how you could ever contemplate driving without mirrors. How will you change lanes etc? :confused:
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This.

Once I went out with my n/s mirror folded in (damn you cheap mitsi not putting auto folding in UK cars /rant), shockingly I never actually noticed until 10 minutes later when I was going round the biggest/busiest roundabout in town. Suffice to say my eyes nearly popped out when looked over to change lane and saw no mirror, pretty dangerous!
 
[TW]Fox;13241209 said:
I dont understand how you could ever contemplate driving without mirrors. How will you change lanes etc? :confused:
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By using your neck, should as said check blind spots anyway. I always do as course of habit but it may be a biker thing.
 
Finglonga said:
By using your neck, should as said check blind spots anyway. I always do as course of habit but it may be a biker thing.
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But you use the mirrors ALL the time - quick glance here and there to make sure you are aware of whats around you. You cant spend half your journey not looking where you are going!
 
My rear view mirrior is pointless in this weather, I have no rear windows to use.

Wing mirrors are vital! However I do get in a lot of cars and see the left mirror pointing in a direction that is no use to the driver. A girls car the other day had it pointing at the floor as it 'helped her park'.

Don't worry about the people on your left then.
 
Simon said:
A girls car the other day had it pointing at the floor as it 'helped her park'.
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What, permanently? I point mine at the floor when i'm parking next to curbs so i don't scrape my alloys, but obviously put them bk to normal when i'm finished.
 
Clarkey said:
This.

Once I went out with my n/s mirror folded in (damn you cheap mitsi not putting auto folding in UK cars /rant), shockingly I never actually noticed until 10 minutes later when I was going round the biggest/busiest roundabout in town. Suffice to say my eyes nearly popped out when looked over to change lane and saw no mirror, pretty dangerous!
Click to expand...

did that a few times in my volvo, and they seem to take an age to come out after pressing the button when moving :p
 
According to my insurance company and help hire, they both considered my car legal and driveable when my drivers side wing mirror was destroyed :confused:

For thew few days until it was booked in it was a nightmare. I use my mirrors all the time :(
 
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