Last night I picked up my 2011 Mini Cooper Clubman. Tonight i noticed something very odd and possibly wrong. A friend told me I only had one reverse light (it just passed the safety 2 days ago). On closer inspection i saw that only the right side tail light had a clear lens for a back up light. The left lens is all red. Is this a quirky thing with the Mini or should I talk with the dealer?

Avro

 

Yes. It's normal.

 

Thanks.

 

Clubbie only has one reverse light.

 

Yep, normal.

Weird to me though. However, if you look at both your rear lights, you'll see that the driver's side does have a clear/white reverse light, its just that the lens on that side has red covering it.

I believe you can buy an aftermarket lens that has that portion removed so you have two reverse lights.

 

I don't spend much time in reverse so it doesn't bother me at bit.

 

There's a how to on here somewhere about modifying the other one so you have 2 reverse lights...which is nice at night to give you extra light out back.

 

The left lower tail light is used as the rear fog light. This is a safety requirement in the EU. It's a red light that is the same brightness as brake lights but stays on full time, when switched on. That empty slot by the gear shift is where the switch would be. The it's snowing or very foggy it makes you visible from the rear. Mini didn't spend the money to make two different sets of tail lights. So we US spec cars have everything but the switch and some programming.

There are also instructions on how to get it functional in the U.S. spec car, if you want to go that route.

Cheers.

 

Following our Classic Mini Ideals, you could mount a full sized driving light on the back / on either one of the "barn doors" and bingo....lots of light. I love my classic, but I love my Clubman and the unique and tasteful rear quarters so I don't think I will go that route either.

 

Buy a passenger side UK reverse lens, Left) wire it up.