Legal mirror requirements and low mileage car insurance

Unfortunately, cars which are covered by low mileage car insurance are still prone to suffering vehicle damage on the road, and occasionally a car can become damaged when the driver isn’t even using it.

Many drivers don’t have a garage in front of their house, so a large number of UK motorists have to park their car on the side of the road. This may mean that due to the reckless driving of another road user or the driver of a large vehicle attempting to squeeze through unsuccessfully, a low mileage driver may come back to their car to find that it has lost a wing mirror.

Not only can this be very frustrating, since the driver will either have to lose their No Claim Discount by getting their car repaired on their car insurance or pay for the damage themselves but it may also mean that, depending on which wing mirror is missing, the driver will be breaking the law when they next get behind the wheel.

According to the Construction and Use Regulations 1986, all vehicles must have at least two mirrors unless they were first used before the 1st of August 1978 (in which case one is sufficient).

If the rear-view mirror is obscured then a vehicle first used after the 1st of August 1978 must have both of its side mirrors intact. Failing that, the vehicle must have an undamaged rear-view mirror in place, and a working driver’s wing mirror also. Mirrors which are intact must also be in a position which makes the road behind visible to the motorist.

A driver will be in danger of being stopped by police if they have no driver’s side mirror, as well as being at a higher risk of suffering personal injury in a crash or causing someone else harm due to having restricted view of their surroundings. A car without a driver’s side mirror will also fail an MOT.

If a vehicle has had its passenger side mirror broken off or its glass smashed in a way which makes it impossible to use, then a driver can still legally drive the car without it. However, hazards may be difficult to see so it is not advisable to drive.

Low mileage car insurance from insurethebox

Some car insurance companies will charge driver similar amounts of money on their annual premium, whether they use their car for long journeys every day or only occasionally take their car to do the weekly food shop. At insurethebox, our cover is made especially for low mileage drivers and could save you money if you fall into that category.

To see how much you could be saving with insurethebox car insurance, get a quote today by simply clicking on get a quote.

We can complete the whole transaction quickly and effortlessly with the minimum of fuss and we will organise the box fitting as soon as possible – in the meantime, you will be covered from the moment you want your policy to start.