NEW MOT RULES AFFECTING SOME TVR OWNERS

[Challenger C4s]

BEWARE FROM WED 20th MARCH 2013, new mot rules will mean failure for any vehicle fitted with HID headlamps that do not also have headlamp levellers and headlamp washing system. This includes those that were fitted during production. I would seem TVR broke the EU equivalent of GB's construction and
use regs during manufacture

If any of you out there have these fitted and are due an MOT I strongly suggest you get it done by Tuesday night, and even if you are not due just yet I would suggest you get it done.

I have just had mine done and even tho' I wasted 5 months of the last MOT it has given me piece of mind for another year whilst I search my other options.

This is not hearsay, I have in my hand a copy of VOSA special notice 1/2013

Good Luck to all this applies to.
David


Following later comments I have rechecked with the MOT man that informed me of the change and gave me a copy of the notice, he has slightly backed down from his initial stance and will check further.
I was not scare mongering just trying to be helpful and pass on info from some one that had a greater knowledge than me (maybe not). If I have misguided any one my apology's. personally I am still glad I have had a new MOT just in case his original statement is correct.

Edited by Challenger C4s on Saturday 16th March 12:20

[Magic919]

I don't believe the wording says they must have the levelling and washers, merely that those should function, where fitted. Not the same in NI though.

[jagracer]

Challenger C4s said:

I have in my hand a copy of VOSA special notice 1/2013

You need to read it properly.

[Hoover.]

I think the OP has misinterrupted the guidance which actually says the following:-

Testable components:-

"headlamp levelling and cleaning devices when fitted for HID or LED headlamps"



It doesn't say that HID/LED headlamps must have leveling and cleaning, only if it has these components fitted that they must work.



Edited: looks like a few people beat me to it, whilst I was researching the scaremongering

Edited by Hoover. on Saturday 16th March 08:51

[Digger]

Any thoughts on a Griffith benefitting from hid low beams?

[nawarne]

OP, Think this was queried some months ago.

As far as I understand, HID upgrades are viewed as sensible improvements by most MOT stations.
And, as Hoover said, the levelling/wash facility has to work....only if fitted.
Nick

[BliarOut]

Digger said:

Any thoughts on a Griffith benefitting from hid low beams?

A 7" upgrade and a set of night breaker bulbs makes all the difference

[A900ss]

Digger said:

Any thoughts on a Griffith benefitting from hid low beams?

Although I have no plans to update the Chim to HID'S (it won't do enough night driving I suspect), my belief was that non-projector headlights suffer from light scatter when you put aftermarket HID's in them.

My preferred extra power bulb is the Philips X Treme bulb as opposed to the Osram Nightbreaker as in my experience the outputs are similar but the Philips lasts a lot longer.

Good luck,.

[Gazzab]

A900ss said:

Digger said:

Any thoughts on a Griffith benefitting from hid low beams?

Although I have no plans to update the Chim to HID'S (it won't do enough night driving I suspect), my belief was that non-projector headlights suffer from light scatter when you put aftermarket HID's in them.

My preferred extra power bulb is the Philips X Treme bulb as opposed to the Osram Nightbreaker as in my experience the outputs are similar but the Philips lasts a lot longer.

Good luck,.

Agreed.

[jagracer]

nawarne said:

OP, Think this was queried some months ago.

As far as I understand, HID upgrades are viewed as sensible improvements by most MOT stations.
And, as Hoover said, the levelling/wash facility has to work....only if fitted.
Nick

TBH, I doubt whether any MOT stations give a damn as to what headlights you have fitted as long as they are compliant with the testing regs and don't cause any additional work to the tester.
Testing headlamp washers and levelers and lots of other stuff came in last year but VOSA couldn't enforce failure until the DfT passed the required laws so this is nothing new.

[A900ss]

Here is the AA information on the MOT changes which supports the theory that headlamp levellers/washers need to work only if fitted. Not that they need to be fitted.

http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/car-servicing...

[QBee]

Not a comparison, with Phillips, but I got a pair of Osrams for £12 off Fleabay, fitted them in 15 mins and they are one hell of an improvement over the standard paraffin lamps on my Chim.

[Wildfire]

jagracer said:

BH, I doubt whether any MOT stations give a damn as to what headlights you have fitted as long as they are compliant with the testing regs and don't cause any additional work to the tester.
Testing headlamp washers and levelers and lots of other stuff came in last year but VOSA couldn't enforce failure until the DfT passed the required laws so this is nothing new.

I was failed for lack of beam pattern with my HIDs last year on the Griff. Despite paying a wellknown specialist to look over the car before hand (as I was away). said specialist the charged me £75 to put H1's back in for the test.