How do you check the condition of the brake lights?

To check the condition of the brake lights, observing them while someone else tests the brakes is an effective method. This approach allows you to confirm that the lights are functioning properly in real-time as the brake pedal is applied, providing clear visibility of whether the lights illuminate as intended. It helps ensure that both the integrity of the bulbs and the electrical connections are operational at the moment they would be utilized.

The other methods proposed do not provide the same level of direct verification. For instance, utilizing a scanner tool is typically employed for diagnostic purposes related to the vehicle's onboard computer systems, rather than for a straightforward function check of the brake lights. Visual inspection can sometimes miss issues like intermittent failures that could only show when the brakes are activated. Similarly, replacing the lights without first testing them could lead to unnecessary replacements and does not confirm whether the original bulbs were indeed non-functional. Thus, observing them in action is the most accurate way to assess their condition.