Why Number Plate Lights Matter in Hamilton
You’d be surprised how often someone pops in and says, “Hey, is there something up with my number plate lights?” We get it a lot here at Grimmer Motors – you notice it when you back into the shed at night in Dinsdale, or a mate points it out after a drive up Peachgrove Road. It’s not just a little detail either. In NZ, number plate lights aren’t optional. They’re the only thing making your rego plate visible when you’re cruising through fog at Taupiri or crawling along Victoria Street after dark.
Since you need your rego plates showing clear as day – even in Hamilton’s notorious winter drizzle or those blindingly bright Cambridge mornings – your number plate lights matter. They’re there not just for the law, but for everyone’s safety, especially with Hamilton’s stop-start traffic and those cheeky potholes that knock things loose if you’re not careful.
How Number Plate Lights Actually Work
Most of the cars we see – your Toyota Corollas, Honda Fits, the odd European wagon like a Skoda Octavia, and plenty of Asian makes like Hyundai Elantra or Suzuki Swifts – have two lights above the plate. These fire up when you flick the headlights on, so they’re running every night, at every set of traffic lights on Te Rapa Straight or when you’re heading out late to Morrinsville.
These days, you’ll notice a lot of newer cars (think late-model Mazdas or even Teslas) running LED plate lights. They last ages, don’t burn out as quick as the old-school bulbs, and hardly use any power. Still, doesn’t matter how flash the car is – weather, time, or a decent knock from parking over a speed bump in Glenview, and you can end up with a blown bulb.
Main Reasons Your Number Plate Lights Die
We see all sorts at the workshop, from student Nissans out of Hillcrest to fleet utes that’ve been all over Ngaruawahia. Here’s what usually causes trouble:
Blown bulbs – Still the top offender. Old bulb just gives up, especially after heaps of bumpy rides or a wild Waikato winter. LEDs are better but no light lasts forever.
Blown fuse – If suddenly both your plate lights (and sometimes some dash lights) go dead, odds are the fuse has popped. Easy fix once you spot it. We’ve got more tips about replacing fuses.
Dodgy wiring or connectors – Street parking in Frankton, old age, or road grime can let water in. Next thing, you’re facing corroded or loose connections, and the lights flicker, or die completely.
Bad wiring – Especially on older Subarus or a Peugeot 308 from Raglan with a bit of rust. Wiring can split, short, or just cop it from critters or corrosion.
It all sounds little, but a license plate light out can mean questions from police on River Road or a fail at your next WOF check.
Number Plate Light Repairs and Replacements in Hamilton
If you’re getting warned by your mate in Tamahere, or you’ve noticed it’s all dark out the back when reversing in Rototuna, just swing by our workshop. We’ve sorted lights for everything from a tricked-out VW Golf to a hard-worked Toyota Hiace. Our techs can pin down the issue in no time – whether it’s a fuse, bulb, or something a bit more deep in the wiring.
We fit new bulbs or LEDs, double-check your connections, and we’re not shy about giving advice on things you can keep an eye on between visits. That way you’re sorted for your next WOF Hamilton-wide and can drive easy knowing you’re safe and legal.
For any number plate light replacement, car service Hamilton, or general NZ car problems, just hit us up!