Condensation inside headlight ?MOT failure

[rfisher]

Is the presence of condensation inside a headlight grounds for MOT failure?

[TooMany2cvs]

No.
https://www.mot-testing.service.gov.uk/documents/m...

[Mr E]

Given the state of some headlights I’ve seen, as long as the bulb works and they’re aligned I’m not sure what fails.

[magpie215]

Only if it's bad enough to effect the beam pattern

[832ark]

magpie215 said:

Only if it's bad enough to effect the beam pattern

I’d certainly expect a headlight to effect a beam pattern. Condensation that affects a beam pattern could cause an MOT failure however.

[Evolved]

Use one of those little bags of silicone you get in your shoe/trainer box to attract any moisture inside the unit.

[pheasant]

Remove bulb, stick a hair dryer in hole for 5 mins.

[BertBert]

Evolved said:

Use one of those little bags of silicone you get in your shoe/trainer box to attract any moisture inside the unit.

let us know how you get on with the silicone to remove moisture

[Evolved]

BertBert said:

Evolved]Use one of those little bags of silicone you get in your shoe/trainer box to attract any moisture inside the unit.[/quiote said:

let us know how you get on with the silicone to remove moisture

silica. Damn phone!

[sunbeam alpine]

832ark said:

magpie215 said:

Only if it's bad enough to effect the beam pattern

I’d certainly expect a headlight to effect a beam pattern. Condensation that affects a beam pattern could cause an MOT failure however.

^^This. I got a fail for this aa few years bcak.

[rfisher]

It's pretty bad as the sikaflex sealed cover has lifted and there's a pool of water sitting inside the light.

I'l have to remove the cover and reseal it.

Edited by rfisher on Monday 27th August 19:02

[TooMany2cvs]

rfisher said:

It's pretty bad as the silkaflex sealed cover has lifted and there's a pool of water sitting inside the light.

I'l have to remove the cover and reseal it.

Sounds like it's going to be easier to just replace the light. If it's sikaflexed, it's already been apart once.

[Little Pete]

Normally leaving it on full beam for half an hour will dry it out. It will have failed on the beam pattern.

[Dr Mike Oxgreen]

TooMany2cvs said:

If it's sikaflexed, it's already been apart once.

Not necessarily. You’ve never owned a TVR, have you?

[SCEtoAUX]

Both headlamps in my Aygo have had condensation for years, the MOT always has an advisory mentioning the condensation, but also saying that it isn't adversely affecting performance.

[Sheepshanks]

pheasant said:

Remove bulb, stick a hair dryer in hole for 5 mins.

I did that on a VW and it made the bulb cover (sits in front of the bulb on a stalk) droop!