Done for HID headlights.

[Monty Python]

If you fitted them yourself, then they are illegal under the Road Vehicle Lighting Regulations 1989:

http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/roadsafety/drs/hidheadla...

"2. Once fitted to the vehicle it must have headlamp cleaning and self-levelling (which can be for the headlamp or can be in the vehicle suspension - some expensive estate cars have "self-levelling suspension" and that is adequate). Also the dipped beam must stay on with the main beam."

[saaby93]

Isn't most suspension self levelling?
My car always looks level anyway

[Moley RUFC]

ZesPak said:

As said, I don't think Renault, selling cars on passive and active safety, would supply a 2002 Xenon car without washers or levellers.

But, like I said before, I can hardly believe the BiB pulled you over to look under your bonnet if absolutely nothing looked "off". I'm betting either:
1) your car was obviously blinding
2) the colour of the HIDs you installed was particularly non-factory

Otherwise they wouldn't be able to keep up with taking cars off the road to check them for factory-fitted HIDs.

I'd go along with this

[bigdods]

IIRC checking for aftermarket HIDs will be part of the MOT at some point in the future so this scourge can finally be removed from the roads.

[pilchardthecat]

Looking at the pictures of Meganes from that era, the ones with xenons seem to have washers built into the bumper

Have you considered the possibility that either
a - it had a front prang and the previous owner put a washerless bumper on?
b - it's had the lights fitted aftermarket by the previous owner?

I would call renault and get the factory spec sheet. If it does support your explanation it will be useful for you in court

[HedgehogFromHell]

bigdods said:

IIRC checking for aftermarket HIDs will be part of the MOT at some point in the future so this scourge can finally be removed from the roads.

The legislation is coming in for that, and also for ridiculous exhausts. My local MOT stations have already started turning away some of the chavs with their HIDs and exhausts.

Ironic, that this thread is above "Blinding Headlights" thread

I don't understand why people fit them to vehicles that don't come with or have an option for them? Even the Reflector patterned units HID(R) are illegal due to the lack of a levelling system, they blind worse than the xenon units and the majority are badly fitted and maintained.

[Torquey]

Looking at parkers.co.uk they were a £700 optional extra on the sport, priviledge and dynamique.
They all state "Inc washers and auto level"

Which model is yours?

It sounds like a previous owner may have possibly tranfered the lights but not levellers + washers?

[fathomfive]

hora said:

bigdods said:

IIRC checking for aftermarket HIDs will be part of the MOT at some point in the future so this scourge can finally be removed from the roads.

Thank feck.

Are they also going to sort out those daft blue single LEDs people stick in their lights too?

[y2blade]

ensignia said:

I normally hate it when the Police try and do you for a seemingly minor offence, but this time I'm glad, because HIDs in none-HID equipped cars really pisses me off.

What colour temperature were the bulbs?

+1

[Crusoe]

2002/2003 megane with headlight washers (and self leveling) as shown was the spec for UK cars. To tell if you have self leveling the lights should come on at their lowest setting and you should see them tilt the beam upward a second or two after they are activated to reach the level.

[PIGINAWIG]

OP - Is there a 'weld' around the circumference of your Megane?

[Risotto]

Where did you get this Megane? I only ask because it's not unknown for an independent dealer to bring in a stock of brand new cars from abroad. They're supposed to be UK spec but aren't always exactly the same.

There are quite a few Clio 172s that are almost-but-not-quite UK spec.

[Byard]

First time Iv'e heard of someone being done for aftermarket HIDs. Although they are a pain when they don't come as standard.

[MorrisCRX]

Can't stand HID's. My 20 yea old car with normal bulbs is perfectly adequate at lighting up the highways. Your eyes do this magical thing and adjust to light levels. Well that is until some twunt with HID's comes round the corner and fking blinds you. Ban em all.

[Sline]

MorrisCRX said:

Can't stand HID's. My 20 yea old car with normal bulbs is perfectly adequate at lighting up the highways. Your eyes do this magical thing and adjust to light levels. Well that is until some twunt with HID's comes round the corner and fking blinds you. Ban em all.

I must say i do plenty of driving day and night and never in all my years have i been "blinded" by any car fitted with HID's albeit stock or aftermarket???

The only time when i can describe this sensation that PHers like to report about is if someone has forgot to turn off their high beam. Maybe its just my young eyes are better suited lol

[GadgeS3C]

Sline said:

I must say i do plenty of driving day and night and never in all my years have i been "blinded" by any car fitted with HID's albeit stock or aftermarket???

The only time when i can describe this sensation that PHers like to report about is if someone has forgot to turn off their high beam. Maybe its just my young eyes are better suited lol

Maybe it's cos you're young and wear shades all the time to look cool.

[Sline]

Nope afraid not chap, cant stand the things. Also in my defence my TVR does not even have sunvisors!!!

[Reedy156]

They will have had self levellers and washers from factory if supplied for the UK market. There are a lot of cars that are imported that are not UK specification, but have factory Xenons, I cannot see them having to take these off the road and "retrofit" halogens!

I think the key is he said he only changed 1 bulb... HID light "burners" change colour temperature over time... a new 4300K is a different coulour to an older, burnt in bulb - that may be the main issue?

A lot of info here... http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[Mr GrimNasty]

hora said:

What really annoys me is the Pirate ship lantern-affect where one headlight swings up and down in your rear view mirror

It's when they adopt ramming speed, rip a cannon ball up your exhaust, and start singing pirate shanties that you need to worry.

[mrmr96]

I'm with the OP on this.

If his car had Renault HID's from the factory, and then they die and he's replaced them with a new (non OEM) bulb and ballast then the setup is no more legal or illegal than it was when it was sold by Renault.

If the ones Renault fitted DIDN'T meet type approval, then the OP shouldn't be held responsible for that IMO.
If on the other hand the ones Renault fitted DID meet type approval, then what the OP has done (replaced the old bulbs and ballasts with new bulbs and ballasts) will not make it illegal, so he's still done nothing wrong.

[Note, I do agree that fitting HID's into inappropriate housings is a real pain and should be stopped, but that is not what has happened in this case.]