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I have read in many threads before that changing the side indicator repeater from the factory amber one to the clear cover with orange bulb is deemed in the eye's of the law as a defect.
I was hoping to clarify if this is actually correct.

I see many new cars on the road with side indicator repeaters fitted from factory with the clear cover and orange lens.

Is this a case of the changed side repeater needing to be engineered to be compliant, it will never be compliant for the law or perfectly OK to change?
Would be great if anyone could fully explain this for me.

Mine have been through rego a couple of times now without issue, good enough for me.

Reality is that if they wanted to, there's lots of other things about my car that could be defected before they got to these.......
Note: the old orange ones are in the garage in a box for 'just in case'.

Mine went through vic rwc with clear lenses all round, reflectors included.
Keep the originals in the boot if you're worried, it's a 5second change on the side of the road to keep the police happy if they really want to nit-pick.

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Many cars have clear lenses as standard fitment but legal requirement is that they flash amber. So clear lense and amber bulb is not a problem.

What is not legal is a clear side reflector replacing amber.

Thanks for the replies.

I have kept the stock items, but good to know some additional feedback.

[quote="Mr Morlock]
What is not legal is a clear side reflector replacing amber.[/quote]

Correct, however there is no requirement to have side reflectors on an MA class vehicle (in Vic)

While side reflectors are not required, IF they are fitted they must be orange.




As for the side indicators, they need to flash orange, and from memory the lens needs to be marked with the Australian standard to show they meet light output etc.

Good talk guys, I was very close to getting a pair of these for my NA. Might hold off on it.

Why?
They are okay as long as you swap to orange bulbs.

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HazeBelefonte wrote:Good talk guys, I was very close to getting a pair of these for my NA. Might hold off on it.

Really depends.

Clear indicators are legal as long as you put orange bulbs behind them (easily available at any car shop, usually for about $5)

The clear lenses are supposed to be marked with the AS standard, or overseas equivalent marking.
in saying that, the likelihood of that every being noticed is as good as zero.

If however it is a concern for you, you can purchase a pair of clear reflectors as fitted to an NC MX5. (not, not all NC had the clear lens, I think the base model had normal orange, where the optioned ones had the clear)

Being a factory Mazda unit these will meet all standards, and from memory are identical to the NA/NB units, with the exception of having a clear lens instead of orange.

hks_kansei wrote:If however it is a concern for you, you can purchase a pair of clear reflectors as fitted to an NC MX5. (not, not all NC had the clear lens, I think the base model had normal orange, where the optioned ones had the clear)

Being a factory Mazda unit these will meet all standards, and from memory are identical to the NA/NB units, with the exception of having a clear lens instead of orange.

I like the sounds of this, might keep an eye out for these in the future.

The best places to find them would be to phone a few Mazda specific wrecking yards.

Alternatively contact your local Mazda dealership.
Usually their prices are pretty rubbish, but sometimes smaller items are pretty reasonable.