Light output upgrade
- Thread starter Magicarcher
- Start date
Wildfire said:
Aftermarket HID's are a straight MOT failure from April this year.
Mike
Ducklakeview said:
While the guidance says fail if obvious, if you have washers, how can the suspension levelling benefit of doubt disappear?
The new manual starts that suspension leveling/beam leveling should be assumed to be working in the absence of anything indicating otherwise.
Mike
Mike
Reading the regs, I can see where they've tried to ban the HID kits. But i'm not so sure that they necessarily need to be an immediate fail (these things are always down to interpretation of the MOT Tester).
4.1.4 (Compliance)
Some vehicles may be fitted with High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlamps. It is not permitted to
convert existing halogen headlamp units for use with HID bulbs. If it is clear that such a conversion has
been carried out, rather than replacing the entire unit with one designed and approved for use with HID
bulbs, the headlamp should be rejected.
---- In our Z4 scenario, for example, the headlamp HAS been designed and approved for use with HID bulbs (the tooling used by BMW is the same regardless). The ONLY way it would be 'clear that a conversion has taken place' to an MOT tester is if he removes the wheel arch liner and takes the back of my headlamp off. Obviously, i understand I am splitting hairs here but a conversation with your MOT man as to his interpretation in advance may remove any doubt (or mean you need to swap in standard bulbs OR find a new MOT man!).
Self Levelling is fine due to:
4.1.5 (Levelling devices)
Vehicles equipped with High Intensity Discharge (HID) or LED dipped beam headlamps may be
fitted with 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 selflevelling
systems. In such cases, the benefit of the doubt must be given.
Headlamp washers are all good due to the below:
4.1.6 (Cleaning devices)
THIS INSPECTION ONLY APPLIES TO VEHICLES ON OR AFTER 1 September 2009.
I think i'll be making a phone call before booking my MOT next time!
4.1.4 (Compliance)
Some vehicles may be fitted with High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlamps. It is not permitted to
convert existing halogen headlamp units for use with HID bulbs. If it is clear that such a conversion has
been carried out, rather than replacing the entire unit with one designed and approved for use with HID
bulbs, the headlamp should be rejected.
---- In our Z4 scenario, for example, the headlamp HAS been designed and approved for use with HID bulbs (the tooling used by BMW is the same regardless). The ONLY way it would be 'clear that a conversion has taken place' to an MOT tester is if he removes the wheel arch liner and takes the back of my headlamp off. Obviously, i understand I am splitting hairs here but a conversation with your MOT man as to his interpretation in advance may remove any doubt (or mean you need to swap in standard bulbs OR find a new MOT man!).
Self Levelling is fine due to:
4.1.5 (Levelling devices)
Vehicles equipped with High Intensity Discharge (HID) or LED dipped beam headlamps may be
fitted with 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 selflevelling
systems. In such cases, the benefit of the doubt must be given.
Headlamp washers are all good due to the below:
4.1.6 (Cleaning devices)
THIS INSPECTION ONLY APPLIES TO VEHICLES ON OR AFTER 1 September 2009.
I think i'll be making a phone call before booking my MOT next time!
I think your interpretation is naive that’s tester won’t be able to tell. That do this all day every day and know to look for knurled adjuster, warning decals, colour and intensity, not forgetting suspension sensors and the light washers. DVLA even provides advise on how to spot them.
Of course some tester can and will chose to ignore it, but that’s the gamble
Of course some tester can and will chose to ignore it, but that’s the gamble
cj10jeeper said:
I agree, it's deliberately naive!
As i said, i think the conversation with the tester is best. Otherwise, it's a frustrating annual changing of the bulbs!
Will be interesting to see how you get on. Of course rules are only draft so will see what happens with final version and guidance
Ah, that's true, i might take the MOT early just to put it off a year and see how everyone else gets on! 