GERMAN car giant BMW has defended installing butchers apron tail-lights on some of its Mini models, after a reader of The National was told it would cost her £600 if she wanted them changed on a car she was considering buying.

Tricia Ronaldson, from Edinburgh, last week told us she was contemplating a new car at Eastern Mini, in Newbridge, but did not want tail-lights which, together, form the Union Jack.

She told us: “I wanted to get a new Mini but I didn’t like the Union Jack on the lights and told the salesman so. He then informed me it would cost £600 to have it removed.”

READ MORE: Customer furious over Mini's 'Union Jackery' fee

A BMW UK spokesperson contacted us today to explain the reasoning behind what some Scots regard as an offensive inclusion on the marque.

They said the LED lights on the Oxford-built model had been used on a concept car in 2014, before being incorporated in the hatchback, and they were not aware of any complaints.

“The Mini is a British icon and the lights have been very well received around the UK and abroad,” they said.

“Changing them is possible but it is labour-intensive to take out the LED fittings and rewire the car for halogen lights.”

The spokesperson added that if a dealer had quoted £600 to change the fittings, that would reflect the labour costs as well as the new fittings.