Discussion
Been looking around for Defender upgrades myself and found this:-
http://www.tunemydefender.com/lighting/hid-headlig...
No idea what it's like though
http://www.tunemydefender.com/lighting/hid-headlig...
No idea what it's like though
Markh said:
Is it possible to get proper HID lights on a 2014 Defender?
any one know?
It is possible, but it's as grey an area as it is fitting HIDs to other vehicles.any one know?
Unless things have changed since I last looked this up (6 months or so maybe). Then HIDs as a retro fit are not 100% legal, but by the same measure they are also not illegal, as there is no specific legislation or case law proclaiming this.
The reality is, if you are sensible you can probably fit them and not worry. I don't think there has ever been a prosecution for running HIDs. Or indeed for running 100 watt halogens when you are only meant to run 55 watt ones.
With a standard Defender that runs the sealed beam style lamp, you'll you need a set of bi-xeno lights, so that you still get main beam and dip.
Make sure you go for 4300k, as these offer the least amount of glare, the highest lumen output and the best colour rendition. Anything higher than this is just silly for the most part.
When installed you'll need to check to beam cutoff and spill. If it's bad, then you need to rethink. There are many different types of headlight assembly to try.
300bhp/ton said:
It is possible, but it's as grey an area as it is fitting HIDs to other vehicles.
Unless things have changed since I last looked this up (6 months or so maybe). Then HIDs as a retro fit are not 100% legal, but by the same measure they are also not illegal, as there is no specific legislation or case law proclaiming this.
- http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/post.asp?h=0&am...Unless things have changed since I last looked this up (6 months or so maybe). Then HIDs as a retro fit are not 100% legal, but by the same measure they are also not illegal, as there is no specific legislation or case law proclaiming this.
Puddenchucker said:
http://www.dft.gov.uk/vosa/repository/technicalpen...
VOSA said:
The presence and operation of these headlamp cleaning and levelling devices has been added to the test. Therefore, if a mandatory headlamp levelling or cleaning device is missing, inoperative or otherwise obviously defective, the vehicle will fail.
This raises the question of whether these checks apply to vehicles fitted with after-market HID lighting kits. These kits convert conventional halogen headlamps to HID Xenon and they are widely sold and fitted to vehicles used on the road. The Department for Transport considers that after-market systems should be required to meet the same safety standards as that applied in respect of these lamps at vehicle Type Approval. Therefore, in order to pass the MOT test, vehicles fitted with after-market HID systems would also need to be fitted with headlamp cleaning and self-levelling systems. Some high specification estate cars are fitted with a self-levelling suspension system and this would be considered as adequate for the purpose.
This raises the question of whether these checks apply to vehicles fitted with after-market HID lighting kits. These kits convert conventional halogen headlamps to HID Xenon and they are widely sold and fitted to vehicles used on the road. The Department for Transport considers that after-market systems should be required to meet the same safety standards as that applied in respect of these lamps at vehicle Type Approval. Therefore, in order to pass the MOT test, vehicles fitted with after-market HID systems would also need to be fitted with headlamp cleaning and self-levelling systems. Some high specification estate cars are fitted with a self-levelling suspension system and this would be considered as adequate for the purpose.
Ok a couple of points here.
1. MoT's only test items that should be there. So a Defender not having headlamp washers is not a fail, as it won't have them.
2. Re-read the VOSA quote you posted, this bit in particular "The Department for Transport considers that after-market systems should be required to meet the same safety standards as that applied in respect of these lamps at vehicle Type Approval."
Just because they consider it doesn't mean it is actual legislation. This is just VOSA's "opinion", rather than law.
Hence why it's a grey area.
1. MoT's only test items that should be there. So a Defender not having headlamp washers is not a fail, as it won't have them.
2. Re-read the VOSA quote you posted, this bit in particular "The Department for Transport considers that after-market systems should be required to meet the same safety standards as that applied in respect of these lamps at vehicle Type Approval."
Just because they consider it doesn't mean it is actual legislation. This is just VOSA's "opinion", rather than law.
Hence why it's a grey area.
300bhp/ton said:
1. MoT's only test items that should be there. So a Defender not having headlamp washers is not a fail, as it won't have them.
It will fail if there is an aftermarket HID fitted. Same goes for the lack of a self-levelling system.300bhp/ton said:
2. Re-read the VOSA quote you posted, this bit in particular "The Department for Transport considers that after-market systems should be required to meet the same safety standards as that applied in respect of these lamps at vehicle Type Approval."
Just because they consider it doesn't mean it is actual legislation. This is just VOSA's "opinion", rather than law.
Hence why it's a grey area.
Hmmm... I can see where you're coming from but as it stands, a Defender fitted with HID WILL fail an MoT test unless it has a headlamp wash and self-levelling system fitted. It would be then up to you to appeal and challenge the legalities of their ruling. However, even if you did manage to get them on a technicality, it would probably be short lived as they would no-doubt change the regs closing down any [perceived] ambiguity.Just because they consider it doesn't mean it is actual legislation. This is just VOSA's "opinion", rather than law.
Hence why it's a grey area.
Frankly, you’d be on a hiding to nowhere.
M
Can you show me what MoT reg would cause this as a fail? As I said, I've not checked recently, but there was nothing in the MoT Testers handbook that would cause HIDs to be an MoT fail.
And remember running HIDs is no different in principle to chucking in some 100/130 watt halogen bulbs in a Landy. And how many people have been prosecuted for doing this?
And remember running HIDs is no different in principle to chucking in some 100/130 watt halogen bulbs in a Landy. And how many people have been prosecuted for doing this?
You could try the Road Vehicle Lighting Regs, which point at a bunch of approval standards. There might also be some blanket rule in C&U or similar about no longer meeting the original factory type approval for the vehicle. It's far beyond anything I care about, so I'm leaving it there, but 'not illegal' doesn't seem like sage practical advice to the OP if you ask me.
300bhp/ton said:
Can you show me what MoT reg would cause this as a fail?
This bit:VOSA said:
Therefore, in order to pass the MOT test, vehicles fitted with after-market HID systems would also need to be fitted with headlamp cleaning and self-levelling systems.
i.e. If you have HID, you also need self-levelling & a cleaning system.300bhp/ton said:
And remember running HIDs is no different in principle to chucking in some 100/130 watt halogen bulbs in a Landy. And how many people have been prosecuted for doing this?
Absolutely but you could still get failed on it. However, a HID system is a little bit more obvious than a set of brighter lamps.M
http://www.partinfo.co.uk/files/MOT%20Changes%20-%...
Page 3
FFS, it's there in black & white:
Page 3
FFS, it's there in black & white:
VOSA said:
Therefore, in order to pass the MOT test, vehicles fitted with after-market HID systems would also need to be fitted with headlamp cleaning and self-levelling systems.
MI've not read that particular article before, thanks.
However if you look here, while it contains some of the same info, having a HID fitted is not a fail.
http://www.motuk.co.uk/manual_170.htm
Specifically:
Information
Where such systems are fitted, they must work.
Method of inspection
Where HID or LED dipped beam headlamps are fitted, switch on the headlamps and check the operation of any headlamp levelling and cleaning devices fitted.
Reason for Rejection
2.
A headlamp levelling or cleaning device inoperative or otherwise obviously defective.
Basically there is nothing that says if it's a HID and doesn't have these items fail it. It only says 'where fitted'.
However if you look here, while it contains some of the same info, having a HID fitted is not a fail.
http://www.motuk.co.uk/manual_170.htm
Specifically:
Information
Where such systems are fitted, they must work.
Method of inspection
Where HID or LED dipped beam headlamps are fitted, switch on the headlamps and check the operation of any headlamp levelling and cleaning devices fitted.
Reason for Rejection
2.
A headlamp levelling or cleaning device inoperative or otherwise obviously defective.
Basically there is nothing that says if it's a HID and doesn't have these items fail it. It only says 'where fitted'.
camel_landy said:
Maybe not but the doc I've posted is a VOSA publication where as you're one is from a 3rd party...
If it came down to a legal bun-fight, my money would be on the VOSA publication.
M
But how many people have been prosecuted for running HIDs? Or simply high output halogen bulbs.If it came down to a legal bun-fight, my money would be on the VOSA publication.
M
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