TVR's and HID's

[MaccaTVR]

Does anyone know what the score is with TVR's and HID's?

I know generally cars with aftermarket HID'S fitted will fail an MOT because the lights are not self levelling and do not have washers (that is what I was told when my Audi failed its MOT with an after market HID kit)

But with TVR, can they be passed off as factory fitted? I want to fit them to my 2000 Tuscan but I don't want to really take them off and on again for MOT time.

Cheers

[V8 GRF]

Technically ALL aftermarket HIDs are illegal unless originally fitted and self levelling and washers only need to be working if fitted to pass the MOT.

However although mentioned and part of the MOT, testers (as I understand it from talking to MOT testers) are currently directed ignore the fact and pass them as long as they pass the regulations on pattern, aim etc.

However, they may become part of the test as they are mentioned in the regulations.

So still a grey area.

[Basil Brush]

I've had HIDs in my Tuscan dipped beams for years and not had an issue. As they are projector units they are ok with HIDs, as opposed to kits fitted to reflector units where the beam pattern can end up all over the place.

[alex_gray255]

I consulted a number of MOT testers on this and we went through the new regs in detail when
they first came out, took advice from various official bodies.

Don't worry about it.

I forget all the details of the research and clarification we did, but in the end, that was
the conclusion.

Edited by alex_gray255 on Wednesday 4th December 17:41

[MaccaTVR]

Thanks guys, I'll see what happens!

[shep1001]

Been OK on my Tam for the last 4 years with no problem and my last MOT was yesterday

[BuzzBillsberry]

Same hear had them on the Tam 2 years with LED side lights with no issues at MOT time

Buzz

Edited by BuzzBillsberry on Thursday 5th December 23:23

[Dr Mike Oxgreen]

Somewhere on the net there's a summary of the DfT's position on the legality of aftermarket HIDs. I'll see if I can find a link.

The logic goes something like this:

• ALL HID lights are illegal under the UK Construction and Use regulations. Even factory-fitted!
• However, EU law "trumps" the UK C&U
• EU law allows HIDs, but only if they are type approved
• Aftermarket kits are not type approved, therefore illegal under both EU and UK law.

Whether they are checked and/or passed during an MOT is a separate issue. The MOT doesn't check everything, therefore the fact that these lights might pass an MOT doesn't prove their legality.

[Pursyluv]

Ditto Shep and Buzz, also got LED sidelights

[whitewolf]

My mot tester just states "if its white light, beam patterns ok and they work then it'll pass"
To fail means you have an awkward tester... :-/

[davemac250]

It also depends upon when they were fitted and if that pre-dates the legislation, as no legislation can be retrospective.

Now, when were they fitted...

[pmessling]

I have them fitted to my cerbera. It's certainly improved night time driving. Been fine with MOTs also with LED sidelights.

[AutoAndy]

Horrific Intellectual Diplodicus?...

Hungarian ideological dromedary?...

or Highly intelligent dipstick...?

[alex_gray255]

Highly Intoxicated on Drink?

[Barreti]

Hugely Improved like Daylight ?

[phazed]

HID,..Help, I'm Doubly.........blinded.

Don't get me started

[carlpea]

High intensity discharge.

Sounds... fun

[Wildfire]

Contrary to popular belief, you do not fail the MOT due to lack of self leveling and washers. It is down to beam pattern. Reflector headlights just can't get a decent beam pattern with HIDs. Projector lights are easier as three pattern is created by a cut off strip. I failed a couple of years ago on the Griff with HIDs when new rules came in, my Z4 Coupe was fine last MOT.

[gruffalo]

It depends on the quality of the bulb, if made properly so the centre of the light source is where the element of a standard bulb woul dbe then the pattern a should be inentical to the standard bulb.

Mine are fine, no spurious shards of light and a clear cut off visible on the road, others I have seen are not fine.

I still get flashed at times by others just because the lights are so bright( 55W HiD is bright) but I get that in my Range Rover with projector lights as well. When you look at the front of the car the lights do look bright but only as a point of light not as if they are being directed into your eye if that makes sense.

[pmessling]

Whilst i have them fitted to my cerbera as said. I do hate them when you get a 4x4 for example behind you, given how low our TVR's are they are very bright in the mirrors. but the night time driving improvement over standard bulbs is ten fold. I have 55w HID's unfortunately one of my ballests stopped working the other night so got to fit the new one another day.