MOT Query - H.I.Ds

[Largactil]

I know there's a few on here involved in the MOT testing side of the garage trade...

 

My modern has factory fitted HID / Xenon headlights, with a factory fitted self levelling system. It used to have factory fitted headlight washers fitted to the front bumper, but the chav previous owner removed them (and the pipework etc), filled the holes and repainted the bumper.

 

With the changes to the MOT test from January this year, HID lighting seems to be under particular scrutiny (with good reason - too many barry boys sticking aftermarket eBay HIDs on their Saxos, and blinding all and sundry! ).

 

If I understand correctly, HID's must have a self levelling and cleaning system - My car has the former, but not the latter.

 

Internet hearsay reckons:

 

"HID headlights can cause dazzle if they are dirty or aimed too high so car manufacturers must fit headlamp cleaning and levelling systems. Where HID or LED dipped beam headlamps are fitted the tester will switch on the headlamps and check the operation of any headlamp levelling and cleaning devices fitted.

 

The car will fail if a headlamp levelling or cleaning device is inoperative or otherwise obviously defective".

 

The MOT testers handbook apparently says:

 

1.7/1.8 headlamps/aim

 

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 failure - a headlamp levelling or cleaning device inoperative or otherwise obviously defective.

 

But also:

 

Vehicles equipped with HID or LED headlamps may be fitted with headlamp washers and a suspension or headlamp levelling system. Where such systems are fitted, they must work...

 

I've been offered a complete front bumper (with washers fitted) in the same colour as my car for £100 - But am loathe to lash the cash if my current bumper would pass an MOT as is...(If it's not fitted, the cleaning device can't fail on being " inoperative or otherwise obviously defective"?)

 

Opinions very much welcome!

[cobblers]

"Vehicles equipped with HID or LED headlamps may be fitted with headlamp washers and a suspension or headlamp levelling system. Where such systems are fitted, they must work.."

 

 

You're fine, there's no washers fitted to not work

[scaryoldcortina]

Correct. Self levelling and washing systems for HID lamps not fitted as OE are "test if fitted" items.

 

The only caveat is that they must (like any other headlamp) meet the requirements for aim, light colour and beam pattern - Every one I have tested so far has failed and come back for retest with halogen bulbs.

 

 

Also, something relevent that made me laugh - I was driving in fog recently and came up behind a low corsa that was barely moving, as I passed I realized why.... his HID setup was projecting a blinding wall of light directly in front of his car and he couldn't see where he was going.

 

edit, I just re-read your post and you have an OE setup. VOSA want it to work properly, I'm afraid, and the VSI information for the car will warn the tester that the car has HID lamps.

[AnthonyG]

I

 

My modern has factory fitted HID / Xenon headlights, with a factory fitted self levelling system. It used to have factory fitted headlight washers fitted to the front bumper, but the chav previous owner removed them (and the pipework etc), filled the holes and repainted the bumper.

 

If the car had the full HID system with washers when it left the factory, it needs to have it now as far as VOSA are concerned.

 

Is this a Honda S2000 by any chance? - if it is.

[Morgan84]

Standard issue lamps must have operative self leveling and either washer or wiper cleaning systems in working order

 

Aftermarket lamps must have self leveling system,and washing system fitted to meet test criteria - most will swap the bulbs !

[scaryoldcortina]

Standard issue lamps must have operative self leveling and either washer or wiper cleaning systems in working order

 

Aftermarket lamps must have self leveling system,and washing system fitted to meet test criteria - most will swap the bulbs !

 

I checked with VOSA helpline the first time this came up and was told Test if fitted applies to the washers and levelers if not standard fit.

[Largactil]

Thanks for the input folks - The MOT's not up till December, but I don't want to be scrambling around for parts if it fails then, as it always costs so much more to sort something at short notice.

 

(Still a bit hacked off at the prospect of shelling out a hundred quid to undo a cosmetic change... )

 

Is this a Honda S2000 by any chance? - if it is.

 

That's rather spooky...It is indeed!

 

 

(Somewhere along the line, the washers were removed and bumper grills replaced with mesh...I'm sure the changes were worth at least 2 seconds a lap around the local one way system and Tesco's carpark... )

 

Sad thing is, I've been enjoying driving my 954cc peasant-spec Pug 205 XE more than the Honda recently!

 

Anyway, thanks again, and apologies for the inclusion of modern-shite on the forum...As you were!

[retrogeezer]

Every one I have tested so far has failed and come back for retest with halogen bulbs.

 

and then swapped back for the HID's after the test to blind every poor sod coming towards them for another year....