LED headlights
Discussion
Has anyone had an MOT test fail because of having LED replacement bulbs in the H7 dipped headlights?
Technically since brexit it is an MOT failure but I wonder how many MOT garages would even notice, especially if the headlights are such that the bulbs are obsured and not visible unless removed.
Technically since brexit it is an MOT failure but I wonder how many MOT garages would even notice, especially if the headlights are such that the bulbs are obsured and not visible unless removed.
NickCLotus said:
Has anyone had an MOT test fail because of having LED replacement bulbs in the H7 dipped headlights?
Technically since brexit it is an MOT failure but I wonder how many MOT garages would even notice, especially if the headlights are such that the bulbs are obsured and not visible unless removed.
Nothing whatsoever to do with Brexit, everything to do with an LED 'bulb' producing light in a different way to the incandescent bulb that the reflector and lens were designed for, the requirement for active levelling, and the comfort and safety of drivers coming the other way.Technically since brexit it is an MOT failure but I wonder how many MOT garages would even notice, especially if the headlights are such that the bulbs are obsured and not visible unless removed.
TwinKam said:
NickCLotus said:
Has anyone had an MOT test fail because of having LED replacement bulbs in the H7 dipped headlights?
Technically since brexit it is an MOT failure
Nothing whatsoever to do with Brexit.Technically since brexit it is an MOT failure
TwinKam said:
NickCLotus said:
Has anyone had an MOT test fail because of having LED replacement bulbs in the H7 dipped headlights?
Technically since brexit it is an MOT failure but I wonder how many MOT garages would even notice, especially if the headlights are such that the bulbs are obsured and not visible unless removed.
Nothing whatsoever to do with Brexit, everything to do with an LED 'bulb' producing light in a different way to the incandescent bulb that the reflector and lens were designed for, the requirement for active levelling, and the comfort and safety of drivers coming the other way.Technically since brexit it is an MOT failure but I wonder how many MOT garages would even notice, especially if the headlights are such that the bulbs are obsured and not visible unless removed.
Lots of similar threads, it's entirely possible that the newer LED H7 bulb replacements work better FOR THE DRIVER than older unmodified headlamp units.
But it can get very hazardous for other road users.
(Source - automotive lighting engineer for 22 years)
Regarding the banning of LED headlights since brexit:
https://www.autobulbsdirect.co.uk/blog/are-led-hea...
said:
Brexit 2021 Update
Please note that since January 2021, the MOT Inspection manual has been updated to include LED bulbs.
Section 4.1.4 now states the following:
“Existing halogen headlamp units should not be converted to be used with high intensity discharge (HID) or light emitting diode (LED) bulbs. If such a conversion has been done, you must fail the headlamp.”
This is a brand new update that seems to only focus on headlights.
There are no mentions to fail other LED bulbs such as brake lights, tail lights or reversing lights.
from:Please note that since January 2021, the MOT Inspection manual has been updated to include LED bulbs.
Section 4.1.4 now states the following:
“Existing halogen headlamp units should not be converted to be used with high intensity discharge (HID) or light emitting diode (LED) bulbs. If such a conversion has been done, you must fail the headlamp.”
This is a brand new update that seems to only focus on headlights.
There are no mentions to fail other LED bulbs such as brake lights, tail lights or reversing lights.
https://www.autobulbsdirect.co.uk/blog/are-led-hea...
NickCLotus said:
Regarding the banning of LED headlights since brexit:
https://www.autobulbsdirect.co.uk/blog/are-led-hea...
FFS. Since Brexit, not because of Brexit said:
Brexit 2021 Update
Please note that since January 2021, the MOT Inspection manual has been updated to include LED bulbs.
Section 4.1.4 now states the following:
“Existing halogen headlamp units should not be converted to be used with high intensity discharge (HID) or light emitting diode (LED) bulbs. If such a conversion has been done, you must fail the headlamp.”
This is a brand new update that seems to only focus on headlights.
There are no mentions to fail other LED bulbs such as brake lights, tail lights or reversing lights.
from:Please note that since January 2021, the MOT Inspection manual has been updated to include LED bulbs.
Section 4.1.4 now states the following:
“Existing halogen headlamp units should not be converted to be used with high intensity discharge (HID) or light emitting diode (LED) bulbs. If such a conversion has been done, you must fail the headlamp.”
This is a brand new update that seems to only focus on headlights.
There are no mentions to fail other LED bulbs such as brake lights, tail lights or reversing lights.
https://www.autobulbsdirect.co.uk/blog/are-led-hea...
TwinKam said:
Nothing whatsoever to do with Brexit, everything to do with an LED 'bulb' producing light in a different way to the incandescent bulb that the reflector and lens were designed for, the requirement for active levelling, and the comfort and safety of drivers coming the other way.
‘ECO’ LED headlamps on my Peugeot 3008 don’t have active levelling. Still got that little dial on the dash under the steering wheel, like with halogen headlights. Only the fancy schmamsy ‘FULL’ LED headlamps on the top spec GT trim has auto levelling.Active levelling was a requirement for Xenons, but not LED’s?
Edited by wyson on Thursday 8th February 13:54
NickCLotus said:
Regarding the banning of LED headlights since brexit:
https://www.autobulbsdirect.co.uk/blog/are-led-hea...
This might be dancing on the head of a pin, but I don't believe any rewriting of the MOT manual ("since Brexit") has made any difference to the legality of retrofitting LED bulbs to halogen units - it never has been allowed, not before we joined the EC in 1973, not when we said "up yours Delors" in 1990, and not since we left in 2020. said:
Brexit 2021 Update
Please note that since January 2021, the MOT Inspection manual has been updated to include LED bulbs.
Section 4.1.4 now states the following:
“Existing halogen headlamp units should not be converted to be used with high intensity discharge (HID) or light emitting diode (LED) bulbs. If such a conversion has been done, you must fail the headlamp.”
This is a brand new update that seems to only focus on headlights.
There are no mentions to fail other LED bulbs such as brake lights, tail lights or reversing lights.
from:Please note that since January 2021, the MOT Inspection manual has been updated to include LED bulbs.
Section 4.1.4 now states the following:
“Existing halogen headlamp units should not be converted to be used with high intensity discharge (HID) or light emitting diode (LED) bulbs. If such a conversion has been done, you must fail the headlamp.”
This is a brand new update that seems to only focus on headlights.
There are no mentions to fail other LED bulbs such as brake lights, tail lights or reversing lights.
https://www.autobulbsdirect.co.uk/blog/are-led-hea...
Hammersia said:
This ^^^
Lots of similar threads, it's entirely possible that the newer LED H7 bulb replacements work better FOR THE DRIVER than older unmodified headlamp units.
But it can get very hazardous for other road users.
(Source - automotive lighting engineer for 22 years)
What do you make of the replacements that are approved for some cars in (most of) the EU like these? https://www.osram.de/am/night-breaker-led/night-br...Lots of similar threads, it's entirely possible that the newer LED H7 bulb replacements work better FOR THE DRIVER than older unmodified headlamp units.
But it can get very hazardous for other road users.
(Source - automotive lighting engineer for 22 years)
NickCLotus said:
Has anyone had an MOT test fail because of having LED replacement bulbs in the H7 dipped headlights?
Technically since brexit it is an MOT failure but I wonder how many MOT garages would even notice, especially if the headlights are such that the bulbs are obsured and not visible unless removed.
Yes we still fail them - but only if we can see they are LED's.Technically since brexit it is an MOT failure but I wonder how many MOT garages would even notice, especially if the headlights are such that the bulbs are obsured and not visible unless removed.
Personally a lot of the LED bulbs are really poor and do nothing but blind people,.
A500leroy said:
Going off topic a bit, But, Is it possible to change the bulb in a sealed beam led light ( I assume these are legal as being factory fitted) and if not how many years should they last, as they are uber expensive.
They should last a very long time, except they don’t. Unless you have found some guide on YouTube of someone else soldering new leds on then in reality it’s new light time.G600 said:
Hammersia said:
This ^^^
Lots of similar threads, it's entirely possible that the newer LED H7 bulb replacements work better FOR THE DRIVER than older unmodified headlamp units.
But it can get very hazardous for other road users.
(Source - automotive lighting engineer for 22 years)
What do you make of the replacements that are approved for some cars in (most of) the EU like these? https://www.osram.de/am/night-breaker-led/night-br...Lots of similar threads, it's entirely possible that the newer LED H7 bulb replacements work better FOR THE DRIVER than older unmodified headlamp units.
But it can get very hazardous for other road users.
(Source - automotive lighting engineer for 22 years)
"Approval for the legal NIGHT BREAKER LED is a very complex process for every vehicle model. OSRAM is continually working on further approvals. We ask for your understanding that OSRAM cannot answer written or telephone inquiries about the possible approval of certain vehicle models.
New approvals will be announced immediately. If you want to stay up to date and not miss any approval, we recommend our website and the OSRAM Automotive social media channels:"
What I believe they've done is try to build an LED that gets close to the light output (intensity, angles, colour temperature) of say an H7, but they've then still had to mount it into a test headlamp unit and get it E approved for every single model they are trying to make legal. An absolutely mammoth and expensive task.
I notice from their published lists that TVR owners are still out of luck.
No idea if the UK Mot manual will be updated to include this I've never had involvement with Mot procedures.
This is a world away from the LED bulbs being sold on amazon etc.
stevemcs said:
Yes we still fail them - but only if we can see they are LED's.
Personally a lot of the LED bulbs are really poor and do nothing but blind people,.
So if they are projector lights and hidden behind a lens (dipped beam) then maybe no problem, full beam are just reflector lights so will need to stay as halogen.Personally a lot of the LED bulbs are really poor and do nothing but blind people,.
Not tried but personally I would have thought that good quality SMD leds should give much the same lighting pattern as halogen.
NickCLotus said:
So if they are projector lights and hidden behind a lens (dipped beam) then maybe no problem, full beam are just reflector lights so will need to stay as halogen.
Not tried but personally I would have thought that good quality SMD leds should give much the same lighting pattern as halogen.
They are difficult to see in projectors but if they don't fit in the headlights and stick out the back its obvious as is the colour of the light and usually the beam pattern. your would be much better off with some osrams.Not tried but personally I would have thought that good quality SMD leds should give much the same lighting pattern as halogen.
NickCLotus said:
So if they are projector lights and hidden behind a lens (dipped beam) then maybe no problem, full beam are just reflector lights so will need to stay as halogen.
Not tried but personally I would have thought that good quality SMD leds should give much the same lighting pattern as halogen.
They don't just taken them out of my car with projector lights, they looked a lot brighter on instillation but all of the light was in the air rather than being on the road. Not tried but personally I would have thought that good quality SMD leds should give much the same lighting pattern as halogen.
DirktheDaring said:
Some aftermarket led lamps can be twisted/turned within their carrier to ensure the beam is correctly aligned.
Some of the VW mod companies supply some very good replacement lamps for the T6 and 6.1 Transporters for example, so not all aftermarket led’s are crap, just most.
Interesting, but still illegal unless the Osram type process described above has been followed. Some of the VW mod companies supply some very good replacement lamps for the T6 and 6.1 Transporters for example, so not all aftermarket led’s are crap, just most.
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