HID's on the mot

[Devon Z]

Question for people with HID's, what are your experiences with them on mot's? I have led side lights in the inner headlight units ala 1.9's, amber LEDs in the bumper markers and supple LEDs in the number plate lights and I've always changed them back to standard for the mot but this year I have 6k HIDs fitted and they are a bit of a pain to change back.

 

[5harp3y]

You might struggle with the headlights.

The numberplate lights should be fine. As will the orange sidemarkers if you have sidelights in the headlights.

Go to a no pass no fee mot place and chance your arm

 

[g8jka]

Never had a problem with mine going through the MOT with HID's in, despite many people saying they won't pass a car with them fitted.

 

[Stevo7682]

They are not a fail in themselves as long as relatively white and have a correct beam pattern.

 

[abh29]

When I fitted them to the e61 the MoT tester was quite happy ,as the car was self levelling and had headlight washers.

 

[Nodzed]

LEDs no problem mine just passed with them all round .....HIDs dont know

 

[t-tony]

Headlight wash/wipe only affects cars with factory fitted HID headlights, not after market ones.

Tony.

 

[abh29]

Below is a quote taken from, about half way down page 3

http://www.partinfo.co.uk/files/MOT Changes - Lighting.pdf

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.

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/access...legal-hid-headlight-conversion-kits-explained

the final para of the above make "interesting reading",

I also seem to recall reading an article relating to any headlight which has Zenons /Hids installed must be kite marked to accept that light source as original.

In order to get my e61 past the test , I bought a complete set of washers from Quarry Motors ,fortunately the car had the cut outs on the front bumper but had never had headlight washers fitted

Edited with addition:-

http://webarchive.nationalarchives....ormation-sheets/aftermarket-hid-headlamps.pdf

the above seems to say DofT consider fitting HIDs illegal but does not refer to the MoT status. Concern could be if its illegal could an insurance company looking at payment on a claim use this fact in consideration if claim is valid.

Another interest point is fact that Nissan have sold a lot of QQ's with Zenons and no washers,but must have been type approved.

 

[gookah]

Below is a quote taken from, about half way down page 3

http://www.partinfo.co.uk/files/MOT Changes - Lighting.pdf

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.

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/access...legal-hid-headlight-conversion-kits-explained

the final para of the above make "interesting reading",

I also seem to recall reading an article relating to any headlight which has Zenons /Hids installed must be kite marked to accept that light source as original.

In order to get my e61 past the test , I bought a complete set of washers from Quarry Motors ,fortunately the car had the cut outs on the front bumper but had never had headlight washers fitted

Edited with addition:-

http://webarchive.nationalarchives....ormation-sheets/aftermarket-hid-headlamps.pdf

the above seems to say DofT consider fitting HIDs illegal but does not refer to the MoT status. Concern could be if its illegal could an insurance company looking at payment on a claim use this fact in consideration if claim is valid.

Another interest point is fact that Nissan have sold a lot of QQ's with Zenons and no washers,but must have been type approved.

Totally wrong advice being given..
All those Documents quoted are years old and have not been put into the MOT test.

I refer you to The MOT Testers Handbook ISBN 978-0-9549352-5-2
Fifth Edition crown copyright 2017 Section 1.7
Link.... (https://www.mot-testing.service.gov.uk/documents/manuals/m4i00000001.htm)

Vehicles equipped with High Intensity Discharge (HID) or LED dipped beam headlamps may be fitted with headlamp washers and a suspension or headlamp self levelling system. Where such systems are fitted, they must work;

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

They also have to test for aim and dazzle, Section 1.8:

The type of headlamp will determine whether the aim must be checked on main or dipped beam. See diagrams 1, 2 and 3, which include details appropriate to each headlamp type. A flat top or other alternative headlamp dipped beam pattern (not being one of the examples) is acceptable providing all of the beam upper edge, including any “peak” is contained within the appropriate tolerance band. These methods of inspection involve the use of beam checking equipment with a collecting lens.

When adjusting European ‘E’ beam headlamps they should be set in accordance with the type approval marking which is either close to the vehicle manufacturer’s plate or the headlamp. For vehicles without a marking, the downward aim should be set to: · 1.3%, if the headlamp centre is not more than 850 mm from the ground · 2.0%, if the headlamp centre is more than 850 mm from the ground.

There is no mention of illegality of fitting a non E marked lamp in an E marked unit.


And,... Reason for fail:
1. a. A headlamp which does not conform to diagrams 1, 2 or 3 that has a beam image which is aimed so that it dazzles other road users.
b. Projected beam image obviously incorrect, e.g. where the headlamp bulb is incorrectly fitted or the reflector is seriously corroded.
c. headlamp aim unable to be tested

Aftermarket HID's can be fitted without levelling or washers. It is only where levelling and washers ARE fitted that they are part of the test and need to work
My Z3 has gone through 4 MOT's with aftermarket HIDs without a mention
As long as they do not fall foul of the beam positioning they are legal.
My new Z4 however has Xenons, and one of the levelling motors is not working, that is a fail, but the aftermarkets are not.
Self levelling systems and headlamp washers are not a legal requirement. Where they are fitted they have to work, where it is not practical to test them, then benefit of doubt must be given.

 

[abh29]

Agreed , most of my information was from when we fitted HiDs to the e61, it actually did get pulled on an MoT for no self levelling on lights until they realised it had self levelling suspension.

Now have Adaptive Zenons on the X1 , and can see them being interest from MoT point of view if the go wrong.

May add I find LEC's better on dip but prefer the Zenons on main beam, particularly the adaptives.

For really good lights , you need to try my sons ser 1 Land Rover [1954 truck cab] need to get out and look at them to see if they are working -----but the joy is that car does not even need an MoT.
Just a pity the Z3's have not increased in value like that truck cab has.

 

[Redline]

Totally wrong advice being given..
All those Documents quoted are years old and have not been put into the MOT test.

I refer you to The MOT Testers Handbook ISBN 978-0-9549352-5-2
Fifth Edition crown copyright 2017 Section 1.7
Link.... (https://www.mot-testing.service.gov.uk/documents/manuals/m4i00000001.htm)

Vehicles equipped with High Intensity Discharge (HID) or LED dipped beam headlamps may be fitted with headlamp washers and a suspension or headlamp self levelling system. Where such systems are fitted, they must work;

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

They also have to test for aim and dazzle, Section 1.8:

The type of headlamp will determine whether the aim must be checked on main or dipped beam. See diagrams 1, 2 and 3, which include details appropriate to each headlamp type. A flat top or other alternative headlamp dipped beam pattern (not being one of the examples) is acceptable providing all of the beam upper edge, including any “peak” is contained within the appropriate tolerance band. These methods of inspection involve the use of beam checking equipment with a collecting lens.

When adjusting European ‘E’ beam headlamps they should be set in accordance with the type approval marking which is either close to the vehicle manufacturer’s plate or the headlamp. For vehicles without a marking, the downward aim should be set to: · 1.3%, if the headlamp centre is not more than 850 mm from the ground · 2.0%, if the headlamp centre is more than 850 mm from the ground.

There is no mention of illegality of fitting a non E marked lamp in an E marked unit.


And,... Reason for fail:
1. a. A headlamp which does not conform to diagrams 1, 2 or 3 that has a beam image which is aimed so that it dazzles other road users.
b. Projected beam image obviously incorrect, e.g. where the headlamp bulb is incorrectly fitted or the reflector is seriously corroded.
c. headlamp aim unable to be tested

Aftermarket HID's can be fitted without levelling or washers. It is only where levelling and washers ARE fitted that they are part of the test and need to work
My Z3 has gone through 4 MOT's with aftermarket HIDs without a mention
As long as they do not fall foul of the beam positioning they are legal.
My new Z4 however has Xenons, and one of the levelling motors is not working, that is a fail, but the aftermarkets are not.
Self levelling systems and headlamp washers are not a legal requirement. Where they are fitted they have to work, where it is not practical to test them, then benefit of doubt must be given.

Thank you. The MoT requirements have never been entirely clear to me regarding HIDs. You post is quite definitive and clear. Very helpful.

How is the self levelling tested when fitted? To check it surely you need to subject the car to a deflection from level and then measure that the beam is still level itself not just that the levelling motor has operated.

 

[gookah]

The self leveling is probably tested only when switching on the lights to see if they do a down then up movement. That proves the level sensors are not in a fault condition.
There is a "give the benefit of doubt clause" so I think that is used mostly as the 'test'
It is the same with the headlamp washers which only activate after a number of windscreen wash cycles. do they actually check them? I doubt it...

 

[abh29]

The self leveling is probably tested only when switching on the lights to see if they do a down then up movement. That proves the level sensors are not in a fault condition.
There is a "give the benefit of doubt clause" so I think that is used mostly as the 'test'
It is the same with the headlamp washers which only activate after a number of windscreen wash cycles. do they actually check them? I doubt it...

The e61 failed because the beam did not move up and down when car switched on , had to point out the suspension just slowly adjusted to correct position ---very slowly as compressor was changed soon after.
The washers do not seem to work on the X1 if the water is too low in the tank, but ok again when refilled.
Wonder if they are ever going to check the tpms now they are into the test ---in which case how?. May be possible on the new system with sensors in the wheel , but I understand the old system just worked if one wheel was different diameter to the opposite side.

 

[t-tony]

The reason the headlights washers stop working is because there is a level sensor in the resevoir and when the level falls below a certain point it stops the headlight washers in favour of screen washers. TPMS sensors are the same as ABS and traction control systems, the warning light indicates a fault, if the light isn't lit the system is working normally. The TPMS on my car works through the ABS system, via wheel speed.

Tony.

 

[Devon Z]

Thanks for all the info, I'll just run it in and give it a try

 

[Devon Z]

Well she's booked in for Friday and to be on the safe side I've taken everything out, HID's, Led's and put back to standard.
I hate MOT,s! only time my cars go into a garage and out of my control!!

 

[t-tony]

No need to have removed them.

Tony.

 

[oldcarman]

Now you tell him @t-tony!! JIM