Crossword Genius

Defective piece can tell what every car needs? (7,5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

licence plate

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'every car needs?' is the definition.
I know nothing about this answer so I can't judge whether this works.

'defective piece can tell' is the wordplay.
'defective' is an anagram indicator.
'piece'+'can'+'tell'='piececantell'
'piececantell' is an anagram of 'LICENCE PLATE'.

'what' is the link.

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I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.
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