After 8+ years and 120K+ miles I have to replace two bulbs used for brake lights on the drivers side. I did the brake light mod the first week I got the MINI. And noticed one tag light out too. Not bad me thinks for a trouble prone 1st gen. MCS. In addition I had to replace one arch lamp about a month ago. Of course when replacing lights I always do them in sets so the old still working bulbs become spares.< this is what fills up garages:biggrin5:
If you pull the cover off of the plate light you may find the connections have corrosion. Us some dielectric silicone when you replace the bulbs. I always replace bulbs in pairs too.
I'm religious about using the dielectric silicone, think I have 3 tubes of the stuff, works on the quarter twist lamp sockets too