New MOT rules - HIDs *UPDATED*

[JamieZ4C]

Hids are an interesting one, if youve hidden the wiring in the headlamp mot testers aren't allow to disassemble bits of a car to check/test things. So even if they think it's got hids and want to fail it they can't unless they can see the aftermarket bits or it fails the beam pattern etc.

The wiring is hidden. I'm unsure about the beam, but it's passed previous MOT's with them fitted, so I assume it's fine.

The colour of them and the warm-up when first turned on is a bit of a giveaway that they're fitted, but you never know, I might be lucky

[R60BBA]

OP - if you do end up having to change them, go for LEDs. After all you can get 6000k (or more) light and they won’t fail MOT.

[Magicarcher]

It's not really likely to happen though is it and it's the reality of what happens at these places.

I was chatting to my MOT guy who I have known for many years. He was moaning about how much work was involved in studying the new MOTs (he is only a small owner garage and is 67). He did mention he needs to understand them because he expects VOSA to do random checks on him (and others) to make sure he has understood and has tested to the new MOT standard when it comes into force. I am guessing it must be a thing if he is expecting it.

[MACK]

It's not really likely to happen though is it and it's the reality of what happens at these places.

I was chatting to my MOT guy who I have known for many years. He was moaning about how much work was involved in studying the new MOTs (he is only a small owner garage and is 67). He did mention he needs to understand them because he expects VOSA to do random checks on him (and others) to make sure he has understood and has tested to the new MOT standard when it comes into force. I am guessing it must be a thing if he is expecting it.

They do mystery shopper type visits to mot centres to make sure they're on the level. They are very finicky as well. I know one guy who got banned for two years, not for doing the mot incorrectly but for doing it on his own while his colleagues were out to lunch.

[Mark-Z4]

I don't think it will be overly noticeable on the Z4 headlights due to the projected lamp. Unless you've gone for a high powered kit and 8/9k lamps. If they turned up on a car with a standard non-projected headlight then I'd imagen it would fail as that's when it can be distracting.

[noiseboy72]

To legally use HIDS, you need to have headlight washers and automatic headlamp levelling. The lamps also need to be "E" marked

This has nothing to do with the mot but is part of the Construction and Use regulations.

The police regularly use this as a reason to pull and impound boy racers, so do be careful!

[JamieZ4C]

All good points. Mine were fitted by the previous owner. At a guess they're 5/6k. Headlamp washers are fitted, but I'm 99% sure the headlamps don't auto level. No idea about the E!

Will have to do some research on LEDs. Although I'm happy to go back to standard, whether that means a simple swap back to halogens or the more expensive and complicated option of xenons.

[Mark-Z4]

Auto Levelling and washers has been a HID mot requirement for years. I have 6000k, washers but not auto level and I've never had my HID's mentioned.

I take it there changes are for HID kits only, not manufacture fitted?

[JamieZ4C]

I take it there changes are for HID kits only, not manufacture fitted?

Not a clue, and I'm hoping I won't find out for over a year!

[Magicarcher]

Will have to do some research on LEDs. Although I'm happy to go back to standard, whether that means a simple swap back to halogens or the more expensive and complicated option of xenons.

If your research is good you will find out that LEDs are also not legal for external use. The only way I see that changing is if some of the big guys like Osram, Philips, Bosch get them E marked as a direct replacement to an existing filament bulb. If you find different let me know because I would love to use them, they are now sufficiently bright and the beam pattern is also very good (not sure on reliability).

[R60BBA]

Sorry to jump in but would this beam pattern pass MOT?

[Magicarcher]

Sorry to jump in but would this beam pattern pass MOT?

I'm not an expert on beam pattern, but when I was comparing I did back to back LED vs standard halogen. Fitted camera on tripod took photo of Hal in dip and high, then from exact same positions did LED. I was looking to make sure LEDS were not higher or further right, but they were identical. Bear in mind the same will not be true for all LEDs I was using one of the recent designs with the Philips chipset which reviews very well (and is also very expensive from some suppliers).

[R60BBA]

Sorry to jump in but would this beam pattern pass MOT?

I'm not an expert on beam pattern, but when I was comparing I did back to back LED vs standard halogen. Fitted camera on tripod took photo of Hal in dip and high, then from exact same positions did LED. I was looking to make sure LEDS were not higher or further right, but they were identical. Bear in mind the same will not be true for all LEDs I was using one of the recent designs with the Philips chipset which reviews very well (and is also very expensive from some suppliers).

These are LEDs but I think my drivers side light is too high or my passenger light isn’t high enough?

[Ewazix]

Previously new car regs said washers must be fitted with HIDs, but the old MOT manual said washer systems MAY be fitted with HIDs, and where they are fitted they must work. This gave latitude for a pass with aftermarket HID and no washers with some testers, that loophole is now closed,

The new May 2018 MOT manual s.4.1.4 says "Existing halogen headlamp units shouldn’t be converted to be used with HID bulbs. If such a conversion has been done, you must fail the headlamp"

Be interesting to see how it goes.

https://training.mot-testing.service.go ... ection_4.1

[ben g]

Sorry to jump in but would this beam pattern pass MOT?

I'm not an expert on beam pattern, but when I was comparing I did back to back LED vs standard halogen. Fitted camera on tripod took photo of Hal in dip and high, then from exact same positions did LED. I was looking to make sure LEDS were not higher or further right, but they were identical. Bear in mind the same will not be true for all LEDs I was using one of the recent designs with the Philips chipset which reviews very well (and is also very expensive from some suppliers).

These are LEDs but I think my drivers side light is too high or my passenger light isn’t high enough?

drivers side beam looks a little high to me. Try and adjust that one down a little, to match the passenger side beam height.

what LED bulbs are those? They look like they give out a decent beam pattern. Others i've seen appear to give out a scattered light.