What's the law on HIDs now, digital ballast?
- Thread starter PLuKE
- Start date
Yes illegal unless you have self levelling headlights, washer jets for the headlights and approved lenses... which basically means OEM gear.
If you put sensible colour bulbs (4500-6000k) and you change them over for MOT.. then as long as you are not attracting Plod by other activities all maybe OK. Do something silly and it is another lever they will use to throw the book at you.
If you put sensible colour bulbs (4500-6000k) and you change them over for MOT.. then as long as you are not attracting Plod by other activities all maybe OK. Do something silly and it is another lever they will use to throw the book at you.
You DO NOT need self levelling and washers..
If fitted as new this is a requirement, but after market kits are now ok for the MOT as long as the tester doesnt see anything unsafe with the fitment and the beam pattern and alignment is ok.
If fitted as new this is a requirement, but after market kits are now ok for the MOT as long as the tester doesnt see anything unsafe with the fitment and the beam pattern and alignment is ok.
As andy says, self leveling is not part of the test as there are no means to test the system. take it from a tester.
+1 , just had my 3rd MOT passed with HID 6k & even told the tester i had HID's fitted,
Passed, _ Beam patter correct - sorted
Legally & MOT rules done seem to go hand in hand to be honest though
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Correct, just because they might pass an MOT doesn't make them legal. Mr Plod can still have you should he decide to!
I think what was meant was standard OEM, (filament) bulbs as opposed to discharge (arc) tubes - though some aftermarket halogen bulbs are illegal for road use, either due to being higher powered, ie 100watt or not E marked.
Most premium bulbs, ie those that get burned at higher temperatures, are E marked and are just "super efficient/expensive etc" versions from the original fit manufacturers which means that they are not optimised with low cost/long service life in mind.
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ok so i understand the difference between illegal and passing an MOT..
However, on what basis are they illegal?
Also probably not a good time ti mention that the possibility of banned all modified cars is to be discussed in EURO land soon.
However, on what basis are they illegal?
Also probably not a good time ti mention that the possibility of banned all modified cars is to be discussed in EURO land soon.
that you probably won't have headlight washers fitted
A Xenon lighting system is a lot more effected by dirt and grime than a comparable Halogen headlight. For this reason headlight washers are mandatory on cars equipped with HID (Xenon) light systems in almost every country except the US.
Notice that new Acuras, which are mostly only sold in the US, do not have headlight washers on their cars even though most are equipped with HID headlights. That is, as stated, because the US DOT does not have such a requirement.
Also, most countries like the UK, Germany, Denmark, and other EU countries which often experience high levels of precipitation, and are cold and dark, have headlight washers on almost ALL cars sold their.
A Xenon lighting system is a lot more effected by dirt and grime than a comparable Halogen headlight. For this reason headlight washers are mandatory on cars equipped with HID (Xenon) light systems in almost every country except the US.
Notice that new Acuras, which are mostly only sold in the US, do not have headlight washers on their cars even though most are equipped with HID headlights. That is, as stated, because the US DOT does not have such a requirement.
Also, most countries like the UK, Germany, Denmark, and other EU countries which often experience high levels of precipitation, and are cold and dark, have headlight washers on almost ALL cars sold their.
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depends on regulations, Rule book states in hazy writing that they are fitted from factory with all levelers etc needing to work if fitted.
Update guide states categorically they are illegal. Both documents are meant to be followed by UK MOT testers.
So on that basis YES they are illegal. According to my mate who designs lights , they are definitely illegal and do not increase visibility by as much as a decent aftermarket bulb.
Update guide states categorically they are illegal. Both documents are meant to be followed by UK MOT testers.
So on that basis YES they are illegal. According to my mate who designs lights , they are definitely illegal and do not increase visibility by as much as a decent aftermarket bulb.
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