What does a brake light bulb do?

A brake light bulb is responsible for lighting up your brake lights when you apply the brake pedal. They are a crucial safety feature of your car, letting the people behind you know in plenty of time when you’re about to slow down. It’s a good idea to regularly check that all your brake lights are clearly visible and in good working order.

DS

DS is the premium automobile marque of the Groupe PSA. First announced in 2009 by Citroën as its premium sub-brand; it was suggested to be an abbreviation of different spirit or distinctive series. However, in French, the name is considered a play on words, as the translation of déesse becomes goddess in English.

How popular is DS in the United Kingdom?

As a newcomer to the UK market in its own right, there were around 35k DS cars on the roads in the UK by the end of 2018. Whether those figures will continue to rise at the same rate shown since their introduction in 2015, only time will tell.

Looking to provide a standalone marque to initially compete with brands such as Volkswagen and Audi, PSA decided that neither Citroën nor Peugeot would be able to carry the brand strength that would be able to make a serious threat in the market with an elevated price-point at the level of quality and luxury they set out to achieve.

DS: Establishing a new range of upmarket models

To compete with the likes of Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz, DS introduced a range of hatchbacks, saloons and SUVs but it’s undoubtedly their supermini city car that is proving the most popular.

The DS3, sold as a 3-door hatchback or a convertible, is available in countless customisation options and also as the subcompact luxury crossover SUV DS3 Crossback. The DS3 was voted Car of the Year by Top Gear Magazine, and first place supermini four times in a row in the JD Power Satisfaction UK Survey.

DS: Don’t be fooled into thinking they’re just a one trick pony

At the other end of the range you’ll find the DS7 Crossback. Here’s a large SUV designed to compete directly with the Audi Q5, the BMW X3 and the Mercedes-Benz GLC; that’s quite a jump for a car that’s built by Citroën.

The models that you’ll find between the DS3 and the DS7 are created with the same style for the market in mind. The DS4, a mixture of hatchback and SUV, and the DS5, a bigger hatchback priced and pitched against the Audi A4, the BMW 3 Series and the Mercedes C-Class saloons.

How often should brake light bulbs need replacing?

As with any car part, the quality of the bulb and how often it is used will determine how often the bulb needs to be replaced. Some bulbs can last for up to five or six years (traditional, incandescent bulbs). However, more modern LED bulbs have a life expectancy of around 12 years. Another factor that can affect the life of the vehicle is the amount of voltage running through the wiring. The higher the voltage, the shorter the lifespan of the bulb.

The law, vehicle regulations and your MOT

As they are an important safety feature, your brake lights will be checked during your MOT. If your lights are found to be faulty or completely broken, your car will fail its MOT. To avoid this unnecessary cost you should regularly check your brake lights and replace them whenever necessary.

What causes a brake light bulb to break?

Brake light bulbs can break for a variety of reasons. For example, because of a blown fuse, if water has seeped into the light or over time they can simply wear out. The most important thing is that you replace the bulbs as soon as possible as it can be very dangerous to drive without them.

What are the signs of a bad brake light bulb?

Usually, there a few signs you can look for:

• If your brake lights no longer light up at all when you apply the brakes

• If your brakes lights are dimmer than usual

• Slow responding bulbs

How often should you replace your brake light bulb?

As with any car part it depends on the quality of the bulb and how often it is used. Some bulbs can last for up to five or six years (traditional, incandescent bulbs). However, more modern LED bulbs have a life expectancy of around 12 years. Another factor that can affect the life of the vehicle is the amount of voltage running through the wiring. The higher the voltage, the shorter the lifespan of the bulb.

What happens during a brake light bulb replacement?

During the repair our certified mechanics will:

• Check your brake lights to see which bulbs need replacing

• They will remove the cover to access the bulb(s)

• They will then replace all the faulty bulbs, ensuring they have the correct bulbs for your make and model

• They will reattach the cover and test the new bulbs by applying the brakes

What is the average life of a brake light bulb?

Traditional bulbs will last for around five or six years, whereas more modern LED bulbs will last around 12 years.

Can you drive with a broken or missing brake light bulb?

No, you should drive with a broken brake light bulb. This can be very dangerous for you and for other road users as they will not be aware when you are stopping. This could lead to accidents and damage to your vehicle.