Trailer light check in Exeter
Professional trailer light check services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£60
Typical Duration
20-30 mins
Location
Exeter, Devon
Trailer lights tested thoroughly - every function checked, faults identified, bulbs replaced if needed. Make sure you're legal and safe before towing.
Don't Risk The Fine
You're hooking up the trailer, lights were working last time you used it six months ago. But now you're not sure if everything still works and the last thing you want is blue flashing lights.
💡 Pro tip: Trailer light failures cause accidents. If your brake lights don't work, drivers behind can't see you stopping. Always test before towing.
Why Regular Checks Matter
More than avoiding fines:
| ✅ All Working | ❌ Faulty Lights |
|---|---|
| Drivers see you braking | Rear-end collision risk |
| Indicators show your intentions | Confusing other road users |
| Legal - no police stops | £100+ fine per faulty light |
| Number plate visible | Vehicle prohibition notice |
What You Get
🔧 The Full Test
I'll test every single light function on your trailer, check all connections for corrosion, identify any blown bulbs, and let you know what needs fixing.
📦 You're Left With
- Full report of light condition
- Blown bulbs replaced (if you want)
- Corroded connections cleaned
- Road-legal trailer
Pricing Guide
| What's Involved | Estimated Time | You'll Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Trailer light check | 20-30 mins | £60 |
£60 minimum charge. Bulb costs extra if replacements needed.
Perfect For Your Project If...
✅ About to tow - want peace of mind
✅ MOT due - check before testing
✅ Intermittent faults - lights work sometimes
✅ Just bought trailer - don't know condition
Why Choose Us for Trailer light check in Exeter?
All lights tested systematically
Faulty bulbs identified
Connections checked
Road-legal and safe
What to Expect
Step 1: Visual Inspection
Check the light units for damage, cracks, water ingress. Look at wiring for obvious problems, check plug for corrosion.
Step 2: Function Test
Plug into tester (or your car), check brake lights, left and right indicators, tail lights, fog, reverse, number plate light. Every function systematically.
Step 3: Fault Finding
If something doesn't work, identify whether it's bulbs, connections, wiring, or the light unit itself. Give you options for fixing.
🔧 DIY Tips
You can test trailer lights yourself with help from a friend:
🔧 Tools you'll need
- Your car (or a battery and test leads)
- A friend to watch
- Possibly spare bulbs
- Wire brush and contact cleaner
📐 Testing procedure
Hook up trailer to car:
- Plug trailer into tow bar socket
- Friend watches trailer lights
- Turn on sidelights - check tail lights work
- Press brake - check brake lights both sides
- Left indicator - check it flashes
- Right indicator - check it flashes
- Fog lights - check fog light works
- Reverse - check reverse light (if fitted)
- Number plate light - check it's working
Common fixes:
Blown bulb:
- Remove light unit (usually 2 screws)
- Replace bulb with correct type
- Check for water in unit
- Reseal with silicone if needed
Corroded connections:
- Unplug trailer plug
- Wire brush the pins
- Spray with contact cleaner
- Wipe dry
- Reconnect and test
⚠️ Common problems
- Water in light units (drain and reseal)
- Corroded plug pins (clean thoroughly)
- Blown bulbs (replace with correct type)
- Loose earth connections (retighten)
- Broken wiring (needs proper repair)
💡 Pro trick: Before every trip, get someone to walk round while you test all the lights. Takes 2 minutes, could save you a fine and much worse.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
🚗 Legal requirement - All trailer lights must work. Police actively check trailers. One blown bulb can be £100 fine. Multiple faults can be a prohibition notice.
Trailer MOT - Trailers over 750kg need annual MOT. Lighting is commonly failed. Get it checked before the test.
Water ingress - Main cause of trailer light problems. Water gets in the units, corrodes connections, bulbs fail. Check seals regularly.
LED vs bulb lights - Modern trailers use LED boards (rarely fail, brighter). Older ones use bulbs (fail regularly, cheap to replace).
Keep spares - Carry spare bulbs in the trailer. If one blows mid-journey, you can fix it roadside rather than getting pulled over.
Devon towing - Whether it's boats to Torbay, caravans to Cornwall, or trailers to the tip, working lights keep you legal and safe on Devon's roads.
Frequently Asked Questions
What gets checked in a trailer light test?
Everything - brake lights, left indicator, right indicator, tail lights, fog light, reverse light (if fitted), number plate light. Plus I'll check the wiring connections, look for corrosion, and make sure the board's securely mounted.
Can you replace blown bulbs?
Yes - if it's just a bulb or two blown, I can replace them. Bring spare bulbs if you've got them, or I can get the right ones. Some trailers use standard car bulbs, others use specific trailer lights.
My trailer lights work sometimes but not others - what's wrong?
Usually a loose connection or corroded plug. I'll check the trailer plug, car socket, and all the wiring connections. Often it's just cleaning the contacts that fixes intermittent problems.
Do I need to bring my car?
Helpful but not essential. I can test the trailer lights with my own tester. But if you want the whole system checked (car tow bar electrics + trailer), bring the car and I'll test both together.
Will it pass MOT with faulty trailer lights?
Trailers over 750kg need an MOT. One of the common fails is lighting. Get it checked and sorted before the MOT to avoid a failed test.
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01392 964094Request Online QuoteOur Rates
Got multiple jobs?
Make the most of your first hour - I can often tackle several small tasks in one visit. List everything you need done when you call!
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