HIDs and new MOT regs?

[clarko74]

Can anyone clarify if HIDs are still permitted to be used following the introduction of the new MOT regulations a couple of weeks ago?

I had my E30 MOTed today and was told by the tester that HIDs are now not permitted if the headlights were not specifically designed for HIDs.

I haven't read through all the documentation but found this quoted on another site:

"Some vehicles may be fitted with High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlamps. It is not permitted to convert existing halogen headlamp units for use with HID bulbs. If it is clear that such a conversion has been carried out, rather than replacing the entire unit with one designed and approved for use with HID bulbs, the headlamp should be rejected. "

[magpie]

i think we have to go back to osram night breakers or what ever they are called ... i've got hids and bullseyes and love the look with smoked lights .

[Cloggy Saint]

If you've done a tidy installation would the tester even know? My hid ballasts and wiring are out of sight, I won't be pulling them come mot time!

[pianist]

It was never allowed to have HID's unless your headlights are self leveling, have washers and projector type. It's not new rules just some of the testers aren't about it

[steve_k]

looks like a lot of folk are missing a "trick" (so to speak).

if you have HID's fitted, then swap them for a set of normal bulbs for the mot then afterwards revert back to the HID's, this is what i was told by a very strict mot tester i know.

as he said the police are not going to pull every old car they see fitted with HID's as it would take to long & cost them to much.

[magpie]

looks like a lot of folk are missing a "trick" (so to speak).

if you have HID's fitted, then swap them for a set of normal bulbs for the mot then afterwards revert back to the HID's, this is what i was told by a very strict mot tester i know.

as he said the police are not going to pull every old car they see fitted with HID's as it would take to long & cost them to much.

you get stopped you get fined , i'm not missing a trick

[steve_k]

looks like a lot of folk are missing a "trick" (so to speak).

if you have HID's fitted, then swap them for a set of normal bulbs for the mot then afterwards revert back to the HID's, this is what i was told by a very strict mot tester i know.

as he said the police are not going to pull every old car they see fitted with HID's as it would take to long & cost them to much.

you get stopped you get fined , i'm not missing a trick

well there is that, been using HID's in my mk2 modeo for the past few years & nver had any bother, might've just got lucky i guess

[bmw9818]

looks like a lot of folk are missing a "trick" (so to speak).

if you have HID's fitted, then swap them for a set of normal bulbs for the mot then afterwards revert back to the HID's, this is what i was told by a very strict mot tester i know.

as he said the police are not going to pull every old car they see fitted with HID's as it would take to long & cost them to much.

you get stopped you get fined , i'm not missing a trick

doubt a fed would do a U turn and go after you, it doesn't matter, chances of them looking twice at the car and noticing they are HID's even caring for that matter are slim, just tell them they were fitted after if they do,

unless there fitted shit and blinding people,

[Brianmoooore]

It was never allowed to have HID's unless your headlights are self leveling, have washers and projector type. It's not new rules just some of the testers aren't about it

This isn't correct. Levelling and washing systems only needed to work IF FITTED.
The new rules do ban halogen light units fitted with HID burners, (the popular E30 conversion), but interestingly do not mention being fitted with LED bulbs, so this is an alternative.
Don't confuse construction and use regulations with the requirements of a MOT test. Your MOT test pass is still valid even if you remove all the bits you fitted to pass the test and replace with the old bit you removed immediately after the test. Does't mean the car will be legal, BUT it will have a valid MOT test.
If HID burners have to be removed for the test and replaced immediately afterwards, then so be it.
It does look like an E30 fitted with manual headlamp adjusters will now fail the test if the system doesn't work.

[pianist]

It was never allowed to have HID's unless your headlights are self leveling, have washers and projector type. It's not new rules just some of the testers aren't about it

This isn't correct. Levelling and washing systems only needed to work IF FITTED.

Think you misunderstood me Brian, I was listing regs for HID lights equipped vehicles, if they have HID's they must be self leveling and have washers on them and so on..

[pianist]

Police wont know if you have HID's fitted if you use correct colour

[Satan]

Will aftermarket anal eyes be banned?

[paultv]

So if you wanted to fit led's is there something that works with smileys and is a reasonable mod? anyone done one? and not some crazy 10000K nonsense.
Paul

[Brianmoooore]

E30 projector lamps require something close to a point source for the light. HID burners meet this requirement better than the original halogen lamps, which is why HIDs give such a good beam pattern on our cars.
AFAIK, the current crop of aftermarket LED lamps are 'corn' types, with multiple individual light sources, so aren't likely to produce a decent beam pattern, although my only practical experience of them so far is in the main beams of a Corsa, where they vastly improved driving safety in the lanes after dark, although the beam uniformity is poor.
If a single, forward facing COB LED lamp becomes available, then these may well work will E30 projectors.

[steve_k]

i think i'll stick with using standard bulbs for the mot & switching back to my 4300k hids afterwards.

[paultv]

This I checked, the "bubble" on the HID aligns perfectly with the element position and gives an incredibly sharp beam pattern - I've kept my Depo's with Night Breakers for the UK MOT, don't think I'll bother with the LED thing maybe until they can make something with a single source.

I must say that these new regulations pale into insignificance with the swathe of new vehicles fitted with some kind of nuclear reactor for headlamps, which blind you instantly and leave you with spots in front of your eyes for 10 seconds after the event - coupled with brain bending bright side lamps and indicators which burn holes in your retina's even during the day - how the hell these manufacturers get clearance for what to me appear dangerous and cause hell for other road users, I have no idea.

Grumpy old bastard.

Paul

[Satan]

This I checked, the "bubble" on the HID aligns perfectly with the element position and gives an incredibly sharp beam pattern - I've kept my Depo's with Night Breakers for the UK MOT, don't think I'll bother with the LED thing maybe until they can make something with a single source.

I must say that these new regulations pale into insignificance with the swathe of new vehicles fitted with some kind of nuclear reactor for headlamps, which blind you instantly and leave you with spots in front of your eyes for 10 seconds after the event - coupled with brain bending bright side lamps and indicators which burn holes in your retina's even during the day - how the hell these manufacturers get clearance for what to me appear dangerous and cause hell for other road users, I have no idea.

Grumpy old bastard.

Paul

Drama Queen.......

[pianist]

[martauto]

This I checked, the "bubble" on the HID aligns perfectly with the element position and gives an incredibly sharp beam pattern - I've kept my Depo's with Night Breakers for the UK MOT, don't think I'll bother with the LED thing maybe until they can make something with a single source.

I must say that these new regulations pale into insignificance with the swathe of new vehicles fitted with some kind of nuclear reactor for headlamps, which blind you instantly and leave you with spots in front of your eyes for 10 seconds after the event - coupled with brain bending bright side lamps and indicators which burn holes in your retina's even during the day - how the hell these manufacturers get clearance for what to me appear dangerous and cause hell for other road users, I have no idea.

Grumpy old bastard.

Paul

Too right mate , thats two of us now !!

Mart.

[Satan]

If it doesn't meet the current MOT regs then it should be off the road.

[steve_k]

i always remember what an mot tester told me a few years ago,

"the mot is only valid for the hour of the test, strictly speaking you could drive out of the test centre with a clean pass & 5mins down the road the car could fall apart but it's still classed as having past the mot"

on the last mot on my sport before i took it off road it passed with a set of HID's fitted & the tester stated that the HID's had a cleaner beam pattern than most "normal" bulbs,

but as for swapping HID's for normal bulbs for the test, well thats a personal choice

[TriggerFish]

This I checked, the "bubble" on the HID aligns perfectly with the element position and gives an incredibly sharp beam pattern - I've kept my Depo's with Night Breakers for the UK MOT, don't think I'll bother with the LED thing maybe until they can make something with a single source.

I must say that these new regulations pale into insignificance with the swathe of new vehicles fitted with some kind of nuclear reactor for headlamps, which blind you instantly and leave you with spots in front of your eyes for 10 seconds after the event - coupled with brain bending bright side lamps and indicators which burn holes in your retina's even during the day - how the hell these manufacturers get clearance for what to me appear dangerous and cause hell for other road users, I have no idea.

Grumpy old bastard.

Paul

Add in super bright LED brake lights, and people who refuse to use the handbrake/automatic car drivers, and it's great fun to drive around modern cars, isn't it?