Legislation for MOT with HID lights

[10thanni]

Does anyone know about the MOT requirements or legislation for HID lights? Some people say no problem, some say it will be illegal...I am just going to convert my lights.

Would be great to be 'enlightened' on the subject. Anyone know anything?

Thanks!

[10thanni]

In answer to my own question...hmm.

http://www2.dft.gov.uk/pgr/roadsafety/d ... lamps.html

[RST]

See I can't fault aftermarket HID's at all, they will not be as bad as BMW/Ford/Landrover ones but there are rules out there on google. However I know as tester who says he will never fail aftermarket HID's so long as the beams are properly adjusted and they work correctly at the time.

To be honest if you ask oppinions you'll get different answers, the person to ask is the guy who tests yours every year. They are the lesser of allot of evils out there -but kits I've fitted aren't fitted permanently and simply need a bulb swap and 2 connectors breaking and re-making so if you're worried just buy some cheap bulbs and swap them in/out I guess if they do fail.

[10thanni]

Thanks...yea, that sounds about right really. I drive a lot at night and can't see a great deal with normal lights, must be getting old! Just came across this too:

"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." (not sure if we qualify!)

Well, armed with the right info I suppose I might be ok. As you say, my local MOT man might be kind to me so long as it is all lined up.

Cheers!

[4ndee]

My mate has hid lights in his glanza and they blind me, they are aligned correctly but because there standard lenses there horrible when he is behind me

[willfinch36]

If in doubt, just take them out for the MOT and replace with the usual H4 bulbs?! Only takes 5 minutes, its what I do!

[Torero]

The main issue with HIDs is that the technology is different to a basic filament bulb. A filament will give a light source that will be seen throughout 360 degrees [which is why the top af an H4/H1 bulb is blacked out to prevent oncoming glare]. The reflector it's housed in, concentrates and points the light in the right direction to optimise the beam and the spread. HIDs, SMTs and LEDs only produce a beam on a flat plane and require a specifically designed reflector and projector lens to ensure that the concentration and spread are the same as the original lights.

That is why aftermarket HIDs are an issue as they are used with the incorrect reflectors and as such are deemed to glare oncoming road users as they cannot be adjusted for optimal usage.

If these bulbs come with aftermarket reflector/lens kits it would change the shape of things drastically but I also suspect they would be a lot more expensive. I certainly prefer the whiter stronger light that HIDs provide and I think they make driving a lot safer.

[10thanni]

Thanks for your comments, it is a tricky one. I think in the end I will change them as night driving is getting dangerous. It is my daily (and nightly) runner and as the winter draws in it is difficult on many roads to see, old technology I suppose.

Another question though. Is it better to go for 35w or 55w 6000k lights? Man in the shop said they were no different, hmm. Presumably 6000k is the one?

Thanks.

P.S. What's the best place to put the ballasts and should I buy slim ones or normal?

[10thanni]

More questions...sorry!

Does anyone know a good make/place to buy them and if someone who could fit them locally in North Oxfordshire area?

[willfinch36]

More questions...sorry!

Does anyone know a good make/place to buy them and if someone who could fit them locally in North Oxfordshire area?

I bought mine off ebay, and fitted them myself, they are a pretty easy thing to do ( and I am no mechanic by any means!)

[cvega666]

I wish they were banned, like in some EU countries where the law says "if the lights were not present in a factory model they are not allowed"...

Extremely annoying to get blinded by home made HID conversions. Happens every single day, even more dangerous now when it gets dark so early.

[10thanni]

I think it is one of those love/hate things...though you are right, I regularly get blinded. That's why I need better lights so I can see where I am going!

[bigcw]

I think the statement linked above falls down on one part:

If one places a HID "burner" (bulb) in the headlamp, the beam pattern will not be correct, there will be glare in some places and not enough light in other places within the beam pattern.

So, if an HID converted headlight passes the prescribed test for headlights, that being the one carried out on the MOT test, their primary arguement for them being illegal cannot hold true.

Also keep in mind that an MOT tester cannot dismantle your car so cannot tell for sure that it has aftermarket HID headlights. You could tell him that your bulbs could just be the type that are bluer than usual and he would have no choice but to accept your word and test the beam pattern. If that were deemed to be correct, see the point above.

On a practical note, all my (non-factory HID) cars have had aftermarket kits fitted and then taken to my friendly MOT garage and aligned perfectly on their guage. I've never had them fail MOT and have never been pulled over for having them.

I'd recommend the 35w units at 6000k.

On a seperate but related note I also learnt (on one of those police reality tv shows of all places) that it's not an offence to show coloured lights on the front of a car. In years gone by before I knew any better I used to have coloured sidelights and was told off several times for them. Apparently the only offence is showing a colour other than red to the REAR, there's nothing specific about sides or front. The only thing the Police can try is failure to maintain the headlights - having a different colour isn't an offence in itself.

Chris

[10thanni]

Very interesting...it is a real grey area this one.

All I do know still is that I can't see at night (joking apart my vision is very good) and the majority of cars all seem to have xenon lights. It just seems obvious to me to get some so long as they are properly set up and not overly powerful. At least that way, I stand a chance of not driving in to a field every night.

No doubt I will cause some more debate on here!

[alanmr2turbo]

The way i read what they are trying to pass on aftermarket fitting of HID is

They must have the correct lens fitted
Headlights to be self leveling
Have the headlight washers

Hopefully they will bring this into force as i hate been blinded by the bloody things.

As for not being able to see with the original lights fitted i'm thinking you need your eyes tested. Im 42 and not had much problems with the standard lights.

I would say its more dangerous to have these fitted as a blinded driver can't see you and more chance of a nice head on collision. I would then say that the insurance companies would put the blame on you should you get out alive LOL

[10thanni]

Lol Alan! Wow, this is such a hot topic!

P.S. We are the same age roughly...maybe I have just been subjected to too many HID lights and losing my night vision.

[jon_st205]

I get blinded by 'high-up' vehicles (Range Rovers, vans, trucks etc) far more often than what I'd 'guess' were aftermarket HID kits.

[10thanni]

Agreed Jon...

[alanmr2turbo]

Lol Alan! Wow, this is such a hot topic!

P.S. We are the same age roughly...maybe I have just been subjected to too many HID lights and losing my night vision.

LOL could be

And agree with the other post above rang rovers etc. I guess its the price you pay for having a low car

[Torero]

On a seperate but related note I also learnt (on one of those police reality tv shows of all places) that it's not an offence to show coloured lights on the front of a car. In years gone by before I knew any better I used to have coloured sidelights and was told off several times for them. Apparently the only offence is showing a colour other than red to the REAR, there's nothing specific about sides or front. The only thing the Police can try is failure to maintain the headlights - having a different colour isn't an offence in itself.

I also heard something about that Chris, however just to confuse things further, mine failed the MOT last month on a handbrake cable and BLUE sidelights. which were actually blue white LEDs. Apparently, recent MOT legislation states they must be white. So they changed them for the original ones which look more like YELLOW and it passed