pick up-chassis cab rear light panel

[adster]

my pick up or chassis cab, whatever the correct term is? failed its mot on the rear light panel being rusty..the back side behind the wheels was pretty rotten!
ive taken the whole panel away now, it was just welded onto the end of the chassis rails with a couple of bolts holding the top in place.
i'm just wondering, does the replacement panel need to be fitted in the same way? ie, welded into place?
i'm thinking of using some ally panels, similar to the ones that drop down on the side of the pick up, cut this to shape and by using angled brackets bolt it to the end of the chassis rails.
surely all its there for is to hold the number plate and rear lights in place.
please give me your thoughts, whether i can do this or not?
thanks in advance.

[ginsambo]

!!! My local MOT garage had the VOSA inspector in one day while they were passing a transit pickup/tipper with the same rear light panel condition. He reported them up. The garage then got in touch with Ford as they were convinced it was not structural part and the inspector was wrong. After a few months the garage was exhonourated as Ford confirmed this panel is not structural and the inspector man had to eat his report.

Tell your garage the panel isn't structural! As Ford's have confirmed this in the past.

However, if its got sharp edges then that is a valid reason for failure, a few holes from rust is not though.

[dodgy01]

i dont like to dis agree but the inspector is correct for failing your pick up . doe to recent changes it does not matter if it is structural or not
if the damage is with in 300mm of a pescribed area ie any suspension mount , brakes,seat belts, seats
and so on

[dodgy01]

oh and by the way i am vosa registered

[adster]

so does this mean that i can still bolt on a replacement panel?

[captain hook]

Yes you can bolt it on.

It's not structual and although I see his point...

I would not fail it and yes....I'm a VOSA Inspector

[dodgy01]

unfortunatley it is a grey area there are a lot of them in the inspection manual

[adster]

excellent, you made my day, i'm off to the garage to make my new rear light panel!