So when I turn the side lights on, I get a bulb light indicator on the dash.

side lights don't come on but headlights do when selected, I've checked and bulbs are ok

also number plate rear light is out which may be a bulb or related any ideas please?

 

What bulbs are you checking, is it the DRL / Sidelight Units.   The bulbs in the headlights are not Side Lights, they are dummy bulbs.

 

If you have the switch beside the fuses (if you have an earlier vRS) Do the DRL's work?

 

As to the number plate bulbs (2), if you put the indicator stalk down with the keys out, do you get a Front Sidelight, a rear sidelight and 1 number plate light on as the 

'Parking Lights'?

Drl do work

the side lights used to work and now they don't when I got it it's a 61 plate

Do you mean when you turn on the Sidelights the DRL's do not dim to become sidelights they just switch off,

but used to stay on?

 

Do they work as a 'Parking light' along with the rear sidelight?

Edited 12 August, 20178 yr by Awayoffski