i purchased a new nearside cluster and fitted it ...at night i noticed that the light was still very barely lit in the top white area even when all lights off..also noticed that the side light was lit when lights on
i thought it was just a reflector ..question does the side light originally light because my opposite original side light does not....i spoke with vendor they dont know...any insights gratefully accepted.. I wondered if i buy the offside too i ll end up all good stumped

The rear light you bought, is it possible it's for the American market? As they have the red side marker illuminated. Where did you buy the rear light from?
If it's cheap Chinese toot, then I'm sure you would expect problems. Buy used from the usual places, but stay away from the junk produced in China.

Ha, too right, should only ever buy British Made junk

Everyone knows the British car and automotive industry make the best junk in the world.

A. Fuji White / Jet 2012 4.4 TDV8 Westminster

This comment will not be helpful but I needed to fix a near side brake light failure. Faced with a unit replacement at £400+, £300+ etc. I bought one for £90 and fitted that a year ago and it has worked fine since. New from a eBay supplier and cheaper than getting it serviced at a garage.
Followed thru with buying the off side until from the same supplier as a spare. Good to win one now and again.

I replaced one of my rear light assemblies last year for the same reason (side marker was illuminated) as MOT failed the rear lighting. I found out someone had replaced the original with a North American version. I got a new Magneti Marelli, which is OEM, for just under €300.