Which cars have only one reverse light?
2 Answers
Volkswagen Polo, Ford Escort, Chevrolet Malibu, Toyota Vios, and Toyota Corolla have only one reverse light. Reasons for having only one reverse light: Regulatory requirements: For vehicles less than 6 meters in length, it is mandatory to install one reverse light, with an option to install a second one. The light color must be white. The law requires vehicles to have a reverse light but does not mandate two. Automakers do not need to install two reverse lights, which also helps save costs and enhances market competitiveness. The reverse light is not solely for illumination but primarily serves as a warning to vehicles or pedestrians behind that the car is reversing and they should take caution. In areas with streetlights, the reverse light has minimal effect, so one light is as effective as two. However, having only one reverse light does affect the car's "symmetrical beauty." Function of the reverse light: To alert pedestrians and vehicles behind the car while providing auxiliary illumination.
I remember driving a few cars that only had one reverse light, which was quite common. For example, the old Volkswagen Golf, the fourth-generation model, only had one white light on when reversing. At first, I thought it was broken, but later I learned it was a design specification. Similar cars include the Peugeot 206 and Renault Clio, especially common among European models because European regulations allow this to save costs and simplify wiring. Some Japanese cars, like the 1990s Honda Civic and older Toyota Corolla models, also had this feature, and my friend’s Mazda 3 was the same. Nowadays, most new cars come with two reverse lights, but when buying a car, it’s worth noting that if there’s only one, the rear visibility might be slightly affected. You need to be extra careful when reversing at night, and it’s best to check if the light is functioning properly to avoid safety risks. Personally, I got used to it and didn’t find it a big issue, though it felt a bit unusual at first.
