Can I change a Kia Stinger's reflectors?

Hi,

I am looking at buying a Kia Stinger GT. The car has a longer narrow reflector each side towards the rear of the car. I know it is there for the US market as it is a legal requirement over there, but from what little info I can find online only reflectors on the rear of the car are required for Ireland/Europe. Anybody know different? Been looking around and have seen loads of cars without them. The reason I ask is because I dont really like the look of them - you can buy body coloured painted replacements that look much better, but obviously don't function as a reflector anymore. Loads of people seem to be doing it in UK and US, but I want to see if it's legal here before going ahead. If anybody has any info or knowledge on the matter i would greatly appreciate it.

Kevin O'Reilly (Leixlip)

Nov 2020 Filed under: lighting

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Expert answer

Hi Kevin,

I think that a good thing to do would be to check with your nearest Kia dealer for a final call, but as far as we can see from the current statute book, you only need rear-facing reflectors, not side ones. The law is worded like this:

"S.I. No. 189/1963 - Road Traffic (Lighting of Vehicles) Regulations, 1963. Section 33. (5) Every obligatory rear reflector shall be fitted to the vehicle in a vertical position, facing squarely to the rear so as to be plainly visible from the rear.

Section 33 (6) Every obligatory rear reflector shall be so constructed, fitted and maintained as to be plainly visible at night time in clear weather for a distance of 325 feet when illuminated by the head lamps of a mechanically propelled vehicle directly behind."

That seems to us to say that you don’t need side reflectors, but again — just to be safe — we’d check with a Kia dealer to make certain.

Neil Briscoe - Complete Car Advisor
@neilmbriscoe