Xenon mot rules
Discussion
MOT site says only tested if fitted. Not mandatory
http://www.motuk.co.uk/manual_170.htm
Not sure how official this site is though.
http://www.motuk.co.uk/manual_170.htm
Not sure how official this site is though.
I'd go with the latest MOT manual published on the government web site and dated April 2013 rather than the technical pen that was issued before the regs came in and of which caused a great deal of confusion in 2011. Plus there are plenty of people who have passed their mot with HID's and no SL or HLW.
The net result of the confusion prior to the regs was the "if fitted" being added to the GB manual and left out of the N Ireland one
http://www.transportoffice.gov.uk/crt/doitonline/b...
The net result of the confusion prior to the regs was the "if fitted" being added to the GB manual and left out of the N Ireland one
http://www.transportoffice.gov.uk/crt/doitonline/b...
With the rules the key word is "IF fitted"
It's too ambiguous IMO. to the OP, you're more likely to fail on beam pattern though. So do some research before paying out for one of these micky mouse kits from eBay.
FWIW, some decent bulbs would be a better more effective process. PIAA or Osram spring to mind
It's too ambiguous IMO. to the OP, you're more likely to fail on beam pattern though. So do some research before paying out for one of these micky mouse kits from eBay.
FWIW, some decent bulbs would be a better more effective process. PIAA or Osram spring to mind
Just an update and for future reference I contacted vosa themselves for clarification and this is what I had back
Thank you for your e-mail enquiry dated 12th July 2014, concerning xenon headlights.
DVSA's role, in respect of MOT testing, is to ensure that the test meets the requirements of both domestic and European legislation.
HID headlamps are extremely bright (over 2000 lumens) and are far more likely to dazzle other road users than conventional headlamps. For this reason, the Type Approval requirements for vehicles fitted with HID headlamps necessitates the fitment of automatic headlamp or suspension levelling systems to keep the headlamps level under varying loads and a headlamp washing system to help prevent the build up of dirt and grime on the lamp which can cause the light to refract and therefore dazzle.
The MOT inspection in Great Britain and all other EU Member States must comply with the European Framework Directive on roadworthiness tests for motor vehicles. This Directive was amended in 2010 to include testing of many components not previously covered, including headlamp washing systems (where required). The MOT test was therefore amended to incorporate the additional items, once the domestic legislation had been amended to include these items in the test. Failure to comply with the Directive would have resulted in infraction proceedings against the government, resulting in millions of Euros in fines.
Clearly, road users being blinded by an oncoming vehicle's headlamps would affect the road safety of the occupants of these vehicles as well as those in the offending vehicle.
There is a difference between the legality of retro fitted HID headlamps and whether they will pass an MOT test. In general terms, after-market HID headlamps are illegal if fitted without the appropriate self levelling and washing systems and this is explained in the attached DfT Information Sheet.
In respect of the MOT test, headlamp washing and levelling systems for HID lamps are only checked where they are fitted.
HiD and LED headlamp levelling and washing systems will only be tested where they are fitted. If they are found to be inoperative or otherwise obviously defective they will fail. In the case of headlamp levelling, the tester must be certain that the system is operative before failing, as on some of these systems it is not possible to readily determine that they work as intended.
The reason the test is this way is because not all HiD headlamps are legally required to be fitted with these systems. To be mandatory, the headlamp has to be over 2000 lumen. Generally, it is not possible for an MOT tester to determine whether this is the case, so the test is 'simplified' to take account of this.
I hope this information has assisted you with your enquiry, but if you have any further questions please do not hesitate to contact us again.
Thank you for your e-mail enquiry dated 12th July 2014, concerning xenon headlights.
DVSA's role, in respect of MOT testing, is to ensure that the test meets the requirements of both domestic and European legislation.
HID headlamps are extremely bright (over 2000 lumens) and are far more likely to dazzle other road users than conventional headlamps. For this reason, the Type Approval requirements for vehicles fitted with HID headlamps necessitates the fitment of automatic headlamp or suspension levelling systems to keep the headlamps level under varying loads and a headlamp washing system to help prevent the build up of dirt and grime on the lamp which can cause the light to refract and therefore dazzle.
The MOT inspection in Great Britain and all other EU Member States must comply with the European Framework Directive on roadworthiness tests for motor vehicles. This Directive was amended in 2010 to include testing of many components not previously covered, including headlamp washing systems (where required). The MOT test was therefore amended to incorporate the additional items, once the domestic legislation had been amended to include these items in the test. Failure to comply with the Directive would have resulted in infraction proceedings against the government, resulting in millions of Euros in fines.
Clearly, road users being blinded by an oncoming vehicle's headlamps would affect the road safety of the occupants of these vehicles as well as those in the offending vehicle.
There is a difference between the legality of retro fitted HID headlamps and whether they will pass an MOT test. In general terms, after-market HID headlamps are illegal if fitted without the appropriate self levelling and washing systems and this is explained in the attached DfT Information Sheet.
In respect of the MOT test, headlamp washing and levelling systems for HID lamps are only checked where they are fitted.
HiD and LED headlamp levelling and washing systems will only be tested where they are fitted. If they are found to be inoperative or otherwise obviously defective they will fail. In the case of headlamp levelling, the tester must be certain that the system is operative before failing, as on some of these systems it is not possible to readily determine that they work as intended.
The reason the test is this way is because not all HiD headlamps are legally required to be fitted with these systems. To be mandatory, the headlamp has to be over 2000 lumen. Generally, it is not possible for an MOT tester to determine whether this is the case, so the test is 'simplified' to take account of this.
I hope this information has assisted you with your enquiry, but if you have any further questions please do not hesitate to contact us again.
Dodsy said:
Oldandslow said:
Your real worry is making sure the beam pattern and alignment are good.
This is the big problem. If you are fitting HIDS you need to change the whole headlight or you'll just blind everyone.chriz1 said:
Just an update and for future reference I contacted vosa themselves for clarification and this is what I had back...
...I hope this information has assisted you with your enquiry, but if you have any further questions please do not hesitate to contact us again.
That has not clarified it at all has it! ...I hope this information has assisted you with your enquiry, but if you have any further questions please do not hesitate to contact us again.
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