HID lights / new MOT regulations

[Diesel130]

Thought I'd start a new thread so as not to contaminate the LHD light thread.

I'd heard that the new MOT (from 1st Jan/1st Apr) required the use of self levellers and washers for aftermarket HID lights, but not so sure now...

I found this extract on the VOSA website...

ORIGINAL: VOSA
Dazzle can also be caused if the lamps are dirty or aimed too high due to, for example, carrying rear seat passengers and/or heavy items in the boot. Vehicles with HID headlamps are therefore required to have a headlamp washing system (a wiper is not required) and be self levelling, which may be achieved either by the use of either headlamp or suspension levelling systems.

The presence and operation of these headlamp cleaning and levelling devices has been added to the test. Therefore, if a mandatory headlamp levelling or cleaning device is missing, inoperative or otherwise obviously defective, the vehicle will fail.

This raises the question of whether these checks apply to vehicles fitted with after-market HID lighting kits. These kits convert conventional halogen headlamps to HID Xenon and they are widely sold and fitted to vehicles used on the road. The Department for Transport considers that after-market systems should be required to meet the same safety standards as that applied in respect of these lamps at vehicle Type Approval. Therefore, in order to pass the MOT test, vehicles fitted with after-market HID systems would also need to be fitted with headlamp cleaning and self-levelling systems. Some high specification estate cars are fitted with a self-levelling suspension system and this would be considered as adequate for the purpose.

It is also worthy of note that a few high performance vehicles fitted with HID headlamps that have barely any luggage space and stiff suspension do not require a self-levelling system.

The last para is interesting. Obviously if a 996's boot was loaded with luggage the lights would dip down! So, I wonder if we can be exempt from that last para, though it doesn't address the washer requirement.

Thoughts?

 

[richard hall]

When i first saw this i was distraught I have just spent about 10 hours retrofitting proper bixenon hid projectorsimported frorm the USA into my golf r32 project ,however there was an ongoing thread on pistonheads on the same subject, the item you refer to was in section 1.7 of the mot changes to insepction manual partly as a result of god bless them the EU. however and for the sake of completeness I enclose the actual MOT headlamp test section for 2012

http://www.motuk.co.uk/manual_170.htm

I draw your attention to


Vehicles equipped with High Intensity Discharge (HID) or LED dipped beam headlamps may be fitted with headlamp washers and a suspension or headlamp self levelling system.
Where such systems are fitted, they must work; however, it is accepted that it may not be possible to readily determine the functioning of self levelling systems. In such cases, the benefit of the doubt must be given.
the important word is may be fitted and where fitted they must work the ongoing thread on pistonheads points this out and the variance between what is printed as guidance by VOSA and what is actually in the test manual the first represents VOSA's viewpoint not as i understand the legally enforcible one

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&t=1088527&d=0&nmt=

as the man says if you have ***** hids but no leveller or washer you pass if you have ordinary lights with a washer and it dont work you fail.God bless the EU

 

[Mark Elder]

me thinks I'll carry on going to a classic-porker-friendly MOT station as see what happens...

 

[Diesel130]

Thanks. I'll let you know what happens when my MOT is done in late January. Fortunately, the new rules are only treated as an advisory between 1st Jan and 1st Apr (rather than a fail), so if they do take a dim view (!) of my HIDs, I'll at least have another year to go.

 

[Diesel130]

ORIGINAL: Diesel130

Thanks. I'll let you know what happens when my MOT is done in late January...

Update as promised. My C2 passed with no advisories relating to the lighting. The MOT tester said my car was "spot-on"

 

[chriscoates81]

ORIGINAL: Diesel130

ORIGINAL: Diesel130

Thanks. I'll let you know what happens when my MOT is done in late January...

Update as promised. My C2 passed with no advisories relating to the lighting. The MOT tester said my car was "spot-on"

Mayb that was a reference to the lights[].

 

[thirteeneast]

Just for info the new ruling does not start till Aprill 2012.

 

[Diesel130]

ORIGINAL: thirteeneast

Just for info the new ruling does not start till Aprill 2012.

The new rules came in on 1st Jan 2012. Between 1st Jan and 1st April, items that would fail the new rules will be marked as an Advisory - after that a fail. Which is why I said that "My C2 passed with no advisories relating to the lighting"