Do headlights have to be the same color ?

[Tampon]

Bit random but the nearside headlight went, order some of internet, delivered had a peak, and they have blue glass coating. Swap them over and the old one was clear glass. Switch headlights on and the new one shines white and the old one is slightly yellow.

SO do they have to match ? should I change the other to the same? will it affect the up coming MoT ? if so how.

Think that is about that.

Cheers
Tamps

[Tampon]

Anyone ? or should I post in Police section ?

[Eighteeteewhy]

Not 100% sure but as long as they're putting out sufficient light shouldn't be a problem. I'd have to change them myself though, it would just bug me.

[stowey1984]

It is recommended that you replace both 'driving' lamp bulbs at the same time. Don;t think its legal requirement though.

[thetapeworm]

A colleague of mine failed an MOT because the lights on her MK1 MX5 weren't the same colour - this prompted me to read up on it (I'd always replace bulbs in pairs) and apparently they have to be a "matched pair" to pass.

MOT Manual said:

A 'matched pair' is a pair of lamps which Both emit light of substantially the same colour and intensity, and Are both the same size and shape, so that they are symmetrical to one another.

http://www.ukmot.com/1-2.asp#Text_top

Some additional bits in the "aim" section.

Manual said:

d. if intended to be one of a matched pair emits light of substantially the same colour as its counterpart (either white or yellow) Note: in a four headlamp system the outer pair of headlamps need not emit the same colour light as the inner pair. is the same size is correctly positioned Note: The measurement of the precise position of headlamps is not part of the inspection, but check visually that the lamps, are at about the same height, and the same distance inboard from the side of the vehicle

And in the "reasons for rejection" section:

Same said:

d. the headlamps provided to form a matched pair do not emit light of the same colour are not the same size are obviously not correctly positioned

[jagnet]

Aiui you should be ok. The MOT manual refers to:

MOT said:

A “matched pair” is a pair of lamps which:

. both emit light of substantially the same colour and intensity, and

. are both the same size and of such a shape that they are symmetrical to one another.

taken from http://www.motuk.co.uk/manual_170.htm

If you're worried I'd just take it down to your local MOT place and ask them.

[Tampon]

Cheers guys.

I don't think someone would notice it if I were behind them but now I know and have a "set" ( got two headlight, one main beam and side lights in the kit ) I might as well change the drivers as well to make sure of the MoT.

I didn't bother before as it mean removing air filter housing and the intake as well. Who decided light bulbs should be so hard to get to ? I had to take the washer bottle off to get this one in and that was the easy one !

Thanks for the advise