Mot And By Xenon Headlight Conversions

[xswind]

Hi guy's.

Been watching with great interest all the headlight upgrade threads.

There has been some discussion on retro fitting with by xenon projectors.

Been speeking to the company in the link below.

Mini H1 Twin HID Kit | Retrofitlab.com

They suggest these would be fittable but no idea if they would have mot implications.

As they are designed as by xenon would the new mot have issues?

More than happy to rip a headlight apart so it's more a legality question and wether the lighting harness given would cause bcm issues.

Any thoughts welcome.

Regards
XS

 

[Ads_Essex]

How will the MOT Tester know that the bulbs are aftermarket - do the lights have markings on the rear to indicate what bulbs they were made for, or is factory light data stored on a computer?
I’d like to think that the MOT standard has been updated to test for poorly fitted aftermarket lights / bulbs rather than non-OEM units that function safely and correctly, but I won’t hold my breath.

 

[andys]

Can't give you an accurate answer I'm afraid, but...

Their business is manufacturing/modding headlights and they have "no idea if they have MOT implications"... Reeeeally?

They know alright!

 

[xswind]

My thoughts exactly but they did not try any pressure selling. Just helpful to a pint.

The mot rules I can find suggest lights not designed for purpose as in reflectors not designed for the bulbs. What I can't understand is what the actual requirements are. Do non led need auto leveling and lense washers ??

The projectors above are designed for the bulbs so the beam Pattern should be compliant as it's intended use.

It's the rest of the regs I am failing to understand

This explains my confusion.
Are aftermarket HID headlights legal in the UK? Will they pass an MOT? What about LED headlights? | Greyhead.co.uk

 

[xswind]

This clears up the leveling and washer requirements.

Aftermarket HID Headlamps

Still I wonder what they define as a headlamp.
A complete light housing or the bulb and projector unit ?

Clearly not a goer though due to auto levelling requirements :-(

 

[Pauly]

As with the original LED headlight upgrade thread I think there are two separate issues here, will it pass an mot - I would say yes, will it conform to type approval/construction and use regs - most certainly not
If you break it down all an mot requires it functionality and safety which I believe you would have, any part that is fitted must work and work correctly ie no warning lights on dash and headlight range dial must function (which it will) etc etc
Construction and use regs are a lot tighter and stipulate conformaties, the headlight wash point is debatable but it clearly states any headlight (regardless of light source) over 2000 lumens (which I reckon they will be) must self level .......
It horses for courses here, plenty of people will fit them and I see no problem in doing so as long as you are going into it with your eyes open and researching the issues and understand the implications or possible outcomes

 

[Pauly]

It’s worth noting my research was done a year ago when I was first doing my LED headlight conversion and that was before the latest MOT updates so I am not familiar with the recent changes and what effect they could have

 

[Ads_Essex]

@Pauly will the self-leveller that is fitted on the roll-bar for LED headlights work if it was fitted to a van with non-LED headlights?

 

[RattyMcClelland]

IF headlight washers are present, they must work.
IF self levellers are present, they must work.

That's it.

Not all xenon headlights have levellers or washer systems especially mid 90s cars.

 

[Mooncat]

How will the MOT Tester know that the bulbs are aftermarket - do the lights have markings on the rear to indicate what bulbs they were made for, or is factory light data stored on a computer?
I’d like to think that the MOT standard has been updated to test for poorly fitted aftermarket lights / bulbs rather than non-OEM units that function safely and correctly, but I won’t hold my breath.

You can tell they are HID as the ballast causes a flash of light, the arc then builds up brightness again. The headlight units also state which bulbs they were designed for, usually on the lens. So this kit should fail an MoT.

Brightness and aim is also tested so any poorly aligned headlight should fail too.

 

[Pauly]

IF headlight washers are present, they must work.
IF self levellers are present, they must work

And the MOT manual states they cannot be tested and benefit of the doubt must be given to the vehicle

 

[Pauly]

@Pauly will the self-leveller that is fitted on the roll-bar for LED headlights work if it was fitted to a van with non-LED headlights?

No, it wouldn’t be connected to anything, the controller wires direct to motors in the headlights