Is it illegal to drive with a working but broken casing rear light?

[Wonderingwhyme]

So the plastic outside is broken but the bulbs and all lights are working ok. I have it booked in on Monday to get fixed but is it illegal to drive at the weekend like that? I won’t be on a motorway just B roads??

No white lights should show at the rear. Can you find a bit of red plastic and tape it on for now?

Also, best to get it covered as moisture will ruin the whole unit eventually, (unless you are getting a whole new light unit).

I have to get the whole unit!!! It’s just the plastic cover, light is fine.

As pp said, there has to be no white light showing.
My old car failed an mot due to having a cracked rear light with a hole in it. Put red tape over hole - it passed.
We did since replace it.

Unless the bulb colour corresponds with the colour of the casing, then yes.
For example, if your indicator light casing is broken but the actual bulb is orange then it's fine.

If you have white light showing a good temporary cover is sellotape or clear packing tape over the hole and a red sharpie to colour it in.

I have to get the whole unit!!! It’s just the plastic cover, light is fine

Unfortunately, you might. These days, the lenses and reflector are often manufactured as one unit.

A useful tip: Take in a 'trade order' and act dumb like you are the office girl sent to get the part, and hassle for the discount