Sorry but I've got to get this off my chest.

I have had aftermarket HID's fitted in the projector headlamps on my mk2 Octavia vRS for several months now, they have been check by a qualified mechanic and the realigned due to the bulb being slightly longer than the halogen, and just recently the car sailed through its MOT, however as of 1/1/2012 they will be illeagl.

So why has it come to this..........

It really pi55es me off that we are forced to bow down to the bl00dy EU. I can fully accept that a set of aftermarket HIDs fitted in a headlamp specfically designed for halogen can cause an eratic beam pattern even if they are realigned, but why should those of us with headlamps designed for xenons have to suffer, imho night driving is vastly improved and safer with correctly fitted and aligned HIDs, I have had mine in for a while now and have never been flashed, in fact I have driven in front of my vRS at night and my lights are far less dazzling than some OE xenons particulary in BMW's.

I really wish I could have afforded the extra 600-700 quid for OE xenons but the bottom line is I couldn't, but they will be a must in my next car.

Rant over, soap box away...........and relax.

Would the police or MOT tester even know they weren't OEM being in a projector unit?

Would the police or MOT tester even know they weren't OEM being in a projector unit?

The MOTer would know as they should have headlamp washers and be self leveling if they are OEM (so if they passed then technically that makes them legal at the moment......however when the new law comes in my current MOT will still be valid, then what??) the same would apply to Mr Plod. The question is, would they actually realise they were Xenons?

The MOTer would know as they should have headlamp washers and be self leveling if they are OEM (so if they passed then technically that makes them legal at the moment......however when the new law comes in my current MOT will still be valid, then what??) the same would apply to Mr Plod. The question is, would they actually realise they were Xenons?

I don't think they would notice and even if they did notice they would think they are OEM. Only thing that would 'unstick' you is the washers. Can't really see how you can check the self levelling at the roadside or in an MOT bay! :wonder:

I don't think they would notice and even if they did notice they would think they are OEM. Only thing that would 'unstick' you is the washers. Can't really see how you can check the self levelling at the roadside or in an MOT bay! :wonder:

The big give away is the manual adjustment wheel next to the headlights...something you won't have I would guess, having OEM xenons.

With the washer, I did stick an pair of dummy washer jet covers on the bumper, perfect until a demonstartion is required..... :(

The big give away is the manual adjustment wheel next to the headlights...something you won't have I would guess, having OEM xenons.

That is easily sorted

That is easily sorted

I can see that you going to be bad for my modifying health....

What do you have there out of interest, a blanking plate?

Hmm I think it is just a moulded part of the switch housing sort of in the shape of the wheel. Ill get a pic 2moro if you like?

Hmm I think it is just a moulded part of the switch housing sort of in the shape of the wheel. Ill get a pic 2moro if you like?

That would be useful..........obviously I don't have a clue why!

The information section of next years testers manual says, here is a draft of it:

High Intensity Discharge (HID) and LED dipped beam headlamps (whether original fitment or after-market) must be fitted with a headlamp washing system (a wiper is not required) and be self levelling. This may be achieved by the use of either headlamp or suspension levelling systems. However, some high performance vehicles fitted with HID headlamps that have limited luggage space and stiff suspension do not require a self-levelling system.

Where headlamp levelling or cleaning devices are missing or defective, but there is doubt as to whether they are required, the benefit of the doubt should be given and an advisory notice issued.

HID lamps may be identified by:



taking a few seconds to reach full intensity



having a bluish tinge to the light



having an igniter module/inverter behind the headlamp



having ‘DCR’ marked on the headlamp lens.

HID headlamps use high voltage and extra care should be taken when inspecting these items

So if you've got HIDs in halogen headlamps, no DCR marking = fail.

So if you've got HIDs in halogen headlamps, no DCR marking = fail.

Could that be used if my headlamp shattered and I swapped the inards to a standard halogean one, which is something I've been considering as mine are all misted/ pitted. They'd still be legal/OEM, but just with the glass from a different unit fitted.

The information section of next years testers manual says, here is a draft of it:

High Intensity Discharge (HID) and LED dipped beam headlamps (whether original fitment or after-market) must be fitted with a headlamp washing system

Just carry an old fairy liquid bottle with some suds in fitted to a drink holder in preparation for giving the lights a squirt every so often. hey presto, headlamp washing system fitted!

Slightly ironic, but whilst browsing a fact sheet relating to vehicle lighting produced by the DFT they mention that because Xenon/Gas discharge bulbs or HIDS aren't currently included in the Road lighting legislation, then they are technically illegal.............this includes OEM Xenons!

why should those of us with headlamps designed for xenons have to suffer

Chances are that you don't, even tho' they're projectors.

Headlights are designed to allow a small amount of light above the cut-off, to illuminate unlit overhead signs, and with much brighter xenon hid bulbs the headlights will be perceived as glaring by on-coming drivers.

I often wonder whether people who get xenon hid bulbs fitted to normal headlamps ever try their lights out from the point of view of other drivers, both by having someone else driving their car and following them, or having someone else driving their car coming towards them.

Slightly ironic, but whilst browsing a fact sheet relating to vehicle lighting produced by the DFT they mention that because Xenon/Gas discharge bulbs or HIDS aren't currently included in the Road lighting legislation, then they are technically illegal.............this includes OEM Xenons!

HIDs aren't covered by UK law (and therefore technically illegal) but they are covered by EU type approval. Any car that has passed this type approval is road legal in an EU member state including the UK. The bureaucrats at the DfT have pretty much no say in the matter.

It really pi55es me off that we are forced to bow down to the bl00dy EU. I can fully accept that a set of aftermarket HIDs fitted in a headlamp specfically designed for halogen can cause an eratic beam pattern even if they are realigned, but why should those of us with headlamps designed for xenons have to suffer, imho night driving is vastly improved and safer with correctly fitted and aligned HIDs, I have had mine in for a while now and have never been flashed, in fact I have driven in front of my vRS at night and my lights are far less dazzling than some OE xenons particulary in BMW's.

I hate to break it to you but your headlights are not type approved for HIDs. Yes they have projector lenses but that doesn't make them specifically designed from HIDs - there are differences in the design of the Xenon lights and the normal lights on the Octavia.

I do share your sentiments that the system is a farce and that chavs driving Novas with HIDs that blind everyone should be shot.

Could that be used if my headlamp shattered and I swapped the inards to a standard halogean one, which is something I've been considering as mine are all misted/ pitted. They'd still be legal/OEM, but just with the glass from a different unit fitted.

I think you'd be on a sticky wicket there.

OEM doesn't mean "mostly OEM, other than a part or two I changed" and the lenses are an important part of the unit.

Could that be used if my headlamp shattered and I swapped the inards to a standard halogean one, which is something I've been considering as mine are all misted/ pitted. They'd still be legal/OEM, but just with the glass from a different unit fitted.

The DCR is sometimes marked on the headlamp itself rather than the lens.

I think you'd be on a sticky wicket there.

OEM doesn't mean "mostly OEM, other than a part or two I changed" and the lenses are an important part of the unit.

Glass is glass though surely? I don't mean the reflectors, just the completely see through bit on the outside. Unless they are used to focus light too? :S

The DCR is sometimes marked on the headlamp itself rather than the lens.

That would make sense. Just checked mine, and unless it's under the bonnet/on the sides there's nothing at all on the glass, so guess that would be the case here too.

Thanks:)

Because its the law.... go with it.

Personally i cant wait till it comes in was at the Rangers v Dundee Utd on the way home was blinded 4 times by stupid pople adding HID kits to cars and vans that shouldnt have them.

That would be useful..........obviously I don't have a clue why!

Here you go:

Because its the law.... go with it.

Personally i cant wait till it comes in was at the Rangers v Dundee Utd on the way home was blinded 4 times by stupid pople adding HID kits to cars and vans that shouldnt have them.

:( I isn't stoopid, I swears it boss! :no:

In all seriousness as I said previously I have driven in front of the vRS at night and had it coming toward me on a darker A road, and wasn't dazzled in the slightest (probably because the HIDs are housed in projector units and have been realigned correctly), but I regularly have to dip my mirror because of cars with OE HID's, the BMW X5 is the worst culprit, imho.

Whats more annoying though, on my way to work last night I was virtually blinded by what I thought was a motor bike coming towards me, once I could see through the glare I realised it was a 53 plate Peugeot 307 with a bulb out one side and the alignment drastical wrong on the other! All I want to do is drive safely at night with the best possibly lighting I can afford, is that to much to ask?

I completely agree Lee it's a fecking joke.

The 5-0 should pull more people for having faulty lighting rather us for correctly aligned, brighter HIDs. Hardly crime of the century is it?

Unfortunately everyone tends to get "tarred with the same brush".

Although I have been quite vocal about after-market HIDs I did for some time have them fitted in the projector lens in my Octy MK2.

Whilst fitted I made sure they were correctly aimed and it went through two MOTs with them fitted.

However....in all the time I had them I was flashed by oncoming motorists.

Now I know a lot of these people are just sensitive, but obviously these lights were dazzling some people.

In the end I took the HID's out and put the brightest halogen bulbs in.

Of course they didn't light up the road so well, but the number of people "flashing me" was reduced to none and that was the important thing - I do not like to disrupt other people's vision as it is my car they will hit if they can't see!

When it came to the purchase of my new FL Octy I did have to have a long think - £700 for the bi-Xenon's.

In the end I went for them and they are amazing, excellent lighting, love the way the turn and follow the road.

But most importantly, in the 4 weeks I've been driving (and yes, I do night driving at least 4 times a week) I've not been flashed at once.

I'm sure there are some well aimed after-market HIDs out there, but there are also a lot of badly aligned ones and some that are downright dangerous.

The banning of them may seem harsh, but if it gets those idiots with badly aimed or HID's in reflector lens then it has to be a good thing.

When it came to the purchase of my new FL Octy I did have to have a long think - £700 for the bi-Xenon's.

In the end I went for them and they are amazing, excellent lighting, love the way the turn and follow the road.

But most importantly, in the 4 weeks I've been driving (and yes, I do night driving at least 4 times a week) I've not been flashed at once.

They aren't bi though

Do agree they are great and the only thing i get flashed for is my DRL's :no:

Unfortunately everyone tends to get "tarred with the same brush".

Although I have been quite vocal about after-market HIDs I did for some time have them fitted in the projector lens in my Octy MK2.

Whilst fitted I made sure they were correctly aimed and it went through two MOTs with them fitted.

However....in all the time I had them I was flashed by oncoming motorists.Now I know a lot of these people are just sensitive, but obviously these lights were dazzling some people.

In the end I took the HID's out and put the brightest halogen bulbs in.

Of course they didn't light up the road so well, but the number of people "flashing me" was reduced to none and that was the important thing - I do not like to disrupt other people's vision as it is my car they will hit if they can't see!

When it came to the purchase of my new FL Octy I did have to have a long think - £700 for the bi-Xenon's.

In the end I went for them and they are amazing, excellent lighting, love the way the turn and follow the road.

But most importantly, in the 4 weeks I've been driving (and yes, I do night driving at least 4 times a week) I've not been flashed at once.

I'm sure there are some well aimed after-market HIDs out there, but there are also a lot of badly aligned ones and some that are downright dangerous.

The banning of them may seem harsh, but if it gets those idiots with badly aimed or HID's in reflector lens then it has to be a good thing.

No one has flashed me so far, however if it was to start happening on a regular basis I would throw in the towel and refit my Ring Xenon Max halogens bulbs.......

I do agree, the last thing I want to do is dazzle other drivers, god knows the majority of them are bad enough with out giving them an excuse to drive s##t!!

I think the law should be amended to include aftermarket HIDs, that way they would have to fitted correctly, personally I don't see the necessity for headlamp washers or self leveling!