Incorrect i believe, That's only on new cars when they come as standard. As has been perviously said there are cars that have them already without washers they'll continue to be ok. It's the same as when seatbelts came out, the cars previous to that date that didn't have them fitted were deemed still to be road legal (and still are!)

Fact sheet: Aftermarket HID headlamps

In the Department's view it is not legal to sell or use after market HID lighting kits, for converting conventional Halogen headlamps to HID Xenon. If a customer wants to convert his vehicle to Xenon HID he must purchase completely new Xenon HID headlamps. The reason for this is that the existing lens and reflector are designed around a Halogen filament bulb, working to very precise tolerances. If one places a HID "burner" (bulb) in the headlamp, the beam pattern will not be correct, there will be glare in some places and not enough light in other places within the beam pattern.

The following is the legal rationale:

The Road Vehicle Lighting Regulations 1989 regulate the situation in the UK.

Under these Regulations, HID/Gas Discharge/Xenon headlamps are not mentioned and therefore they are not permitted according to the strict letter of the law.

However new vehicles have HID headlamps. This is because they comply to European type approval Regulations. The UK cannot refuse to register a vehicle with a European type approval. These are to ECE Regulation 98 (for the HID headlamps which are tested on a rig in a laboratory) and ECE Regulation 48 (Lighting Installation on the vehicle).

For the after market, a used vehicle cannot obtain type approval because it is only applicable for new vehicles. However we feel that saying "HID is banned in the after market" would not be reasonable. Instead we should make analogies with new vehicles. It would be reasonable to require HID in the after market to meet the same safety standards as on new vehicles. The same level of safety should apply.

Therefore a HID headlamp unit sold in the after market should:

1. be type approved to ECE Regulation 98 as a component.

2. when fitted to the vehicle should enable ECE Regulation 48 to be complied with (although no government inspection will take place).

3. Comply with RVLR as far as "use" is concerned.

In practice this means:

1. The headlamp unit (outer lens, reflector, bulb) shall be type approved to ECE 98 and be "e-marked" to demonstrate this. That can only be done by the headlamp supplier - Hella, Valeo etc. who must test the headlamp in an independent laboratory.

2. Once fitted to the vehicle it must have headlamp cleaning and self-levelling (which can be for the headlamp or can be in the vehicle suspension - some expensive estate cars have "self-levelling suspension" and that is adequate). Also the dipped beam must stay on with the main beam.

3. The headlamp must be maintained in good working order, kept clean, and aligned/adjusted correctly like any other headlamp.

Under the Road Traffic Act 1988 it is an offence to supply, fit or use vehicle parts which are not legal.

In summary it is not permitted to convert an existing halogen headlamp unit for use with HID bulbs. The entire headlamp unit must be replaced with one designed and approved for use with HID bulbs and it must be installed in accordance with the rules stated above.

Taken from http://www2.dft.gov.uk/pgr/roadsafety/drs/hidheadlamps.html

Fact sheet: Aftermarket HID headlamps

In the Department's view it is not legal to sell or use after market HID lighting kits, for converting conventional Halogen headlamps to HID Xenon. If a customer wants to convert his vehicle to Xenon HID he must purchase completely new Xenon HID headlamps. The reason for this is that the existing lens and reflector are designed around a Halogen filament bulb, working to very precise tolerances. If one places a HID "burner" (bulb) in the headlamp, the beam pattern will not be correct, there will be glare in some places and not enough light in other places within the beam pattern.

The following is the legal rationale:

The Road Vehicle Lighting Regulations 1989 regulate the situation in the UK.

Under these Regulations, HID/Gas Discharge/Xenon headlamps are not mentioned and therefore they are not permitted according to the strict letter of the law.

However new vehicles have HID headlamps. This is because they comply to European type approval Regulations. The UK cannot refuse to register a vehicle with a European type approval. These are to ECE Regulation 98 (for the HID headlamps which are tested on a rig in a laboratory) and ECE Regulation 48 (Lighting Installation on the vehicle).

For the after market, a used vehicle cannot obtain type approval because it is only applicable for new vehicles. However we feel that saying "HID is banned in the after market" would not be reasonable. Instead we should make analogies with new vehicles. It would be reasonable to require HID in the after market to meet the same safety standards as on new vehicles. The same level of safety should apply.

Therefore a HID headlamp unit sold in the after market should:

1. be type approved to ECE Regulation 98 as a component.

2. when fitted to the vehicle should enable ECE Regulation 48 to be complied with (although no government inspection will take place).

3. Comply with RVLR as far as "use" is concerned.

In practice this means:

1. The headlamp unit (outer lens, reflector, bulb) shall be type approved to ECE 98 and be "e-marked" to demonstrate this. That can only be done by the headlamp supplier - Hella, Valeo etc. who must test the headlamp in an independent laboratory.

2. Once fitted to the vehicle it must have headlamp cleaning and self-levelling (which can be for the headlamp or can be in the vehicle suspension - some expensive estate cars have "self-levelling suspension" and that is adequate). Also the dipped beam must stay on with the main beam.

3. The headlamp must be maintained in good working order, kept clean, and aligned/adjusted correctly like any other headlamp.

Under the Road Traffic Act 1988 it is an offence to supply, fit or use vehicle parts which are not legal.

In summary it is not permitted to convert an existing halogen headlamp unit for use with HID bulbs. The entire headlamp unit must be replaced with one designed and approved for use with HID bulbs and it must be installed in accordance with the rules stated above.

Taken from http://www2.dft.gov.uk/pgr/roadsafety/drs/hidheadlamps.html

That not legal precedent, just there "view" so doest really matter, that's been around for ages and doesn't really matter. Anyway that not what I'm talking about under the new VOSA MOT guidelines, I was under the impression they would fail.

That not legal precedent, just there "view" so doest really matter, that's been around for ages and doesn't really matter. Anyway that not what I'm talking about under the new VOSA MOT guidelines, I was under the impression they would fail.

From what the mot tester told me last week it seems to be the case that they will fail the mot from January 2012

This is basically the same words that are in the Testers Notes that will be applied from January:

2. Once fitted to the vehicle it must have headlamp cleaning and self-levelling Also the dipped beam must stay on with the main beam.

guess people will just take them out for mot, then refit, hardly hard to do..lets face it, people do it with decat pipes, why wont they do it with this?

guess people will just take them out for mot, then refit, hardly hard to do..lets face it, people do it with decat pipes, why wont they do it with this?

exactly

Like this dude

one exhaust for fun, one for mot, controlled via switch on the dash

same principle if you see what I mean.

As someone on here as mention, the idea of using the fog-lights, and replacing them with some audi projectors is a good one.

Hook them into a relay switch, to allow switching between oem lights or projectors

If you wanted to be fancy, rig a third position for both oem lights and projectors to act as fogs.

The MOT only tests 'core' vehicle lights. Those on extra switches etc are avoided.

Edited 16 November, 201114 yr by snow_muncher

I seem to remember Shifty fitted one of these lamp pods to the front of his Fabia, might be worth asking him if he had any problems with the local police?

He did indeed, and in answer to your question, I have a feeling he ended up with a Section 59 warning (albeit not for the lamp pod)

Anyway, O/P Save your cash and buy a Briskoda.net calendar instead

guess people will just take them out for mot, then refit, hardly hard to do..lets face it, people do it with decat pipes, why wont they do it with this?

That is all well and good but what happens if you get stopped for a roadside test / check, they have been doing roadside emmisions tests for a while now so they are bound to crack down on HID's as well.

you are quite right, thats why i dont run a decat. DOesnt stop LOTS of others, including many members on here.

But question to ask is how many times have you been stopped and had your car 'checked'

if you use oe hid output lights that dont glare or dazzle others then i guess the chance of you being stopped to be checked are slim to none.

you are quite right, thats why i dont run a decat. DOesnt stop LOTS of others, including many members on here.

But question to ask is how many times have you been stopped and had your car 'checked'

if you use oe hid output lights that dont glare or dazzle others then i guess the chance of you being stopped to be checked are slim to none.

Well it's only VOSA that can check them (along with exhausts) and since they don't have a power to stop you unless its a check point and even then there only in day light hours there zero chance.

Well it's only VOSA that can check them (along with exhausts) and since they don't have a power to stop you unless its a check point and even then there only in day light hours there zero chance.

I suggest you check your facts.

Many Police Traffic Officers are now trained as Vehicle Inspectors, as specified by VOSA, so can stop, check and issue Prohibition Notices, etc. I can also assure you that these checks can and are conducted outside daylight hours, by both Police and VOSA Officers.

exactly

Like this dude

one exhaust for fun, one for mot, controlled via switch on the dash

same principle if you see what I mean.

As someone on here as mention, the idea of using the fog-lights, and replacing them with some audi projectors is a good one.

Hook them into a relay switch, to allow switching between oem lights or projectors

If you wanted to be fancy, rig a third position for both oem lights and projectors to act as fogs.

The MOT only tests 'core' vehicle lights. Those on extra switches etc are avoided.

The front fog lights arn't part of the mot so carnt technically carnt fail for having hids in,

If i can find some dipped beam projectors that i can mod to fit ill put them in instead and put a set of fog lights into bumper grills

I suggest you check your facts.

Many Police Traffic Officers are now trained as Vehicle Inspectors, as specified by VOSA, so can stop, check and issue Prohibition Notices, etc. I can also assure you that these checks can and are conducted outside daylight hours, by both Police and VOSA Officers.

That's if they have the necessary measuring equipment which round my way, they don't. So therefore only VOSA enforce it round here. Your right in saying they issue prohibition notices etc for when they decide a vehicle is unroadworthy. But this is normally for things such as Mia matched tyres, excessive rust on sills, damaged cars they havnt been fixed etc etc.

i didnt think vosa had the legal force to stop you, they can ask, but cant make (is what i heard) if that makes sense?

i didnt think vosa had the legal force to stop you, they can ask, but cant make (is what i heard) if that makes sense?

They can if they are standing by the roadside and pulling people over into a check area but they can't stop you if they are driving along and flashing their lights. They wear a white peaked cap like traffic officers so most people think they are actually coppers.

thanks for the heads up!

so if they try to stop you at the roadside and you dont stop they will/can chase you or call the police to do so?

I have only ever seen them with the police in this area, they are the ones asking people to stop

They won't chase you but they will take your details and you can be prosecuted for failing to stop. If the plod are there they may chase you. Highways agency and visa both have the same powers as a constable basically when trying to stop you so you MUST stop.

Edited 17 November, 201114 yr by mdon

And if you don't stop, and are then checked later, they will be even MORE thorough!!

VOSA Officers can be as nasty as VAT Inspectors if they want to be!!

This is basically the same words that are in the Testers Notes that will be applied from January:

2. Once fitted to the vehicle it must have headlamp cleaning and self-levelling Also the dipped beam must stay on with the main beam.

Another thread as been started in the general maintenance section with the REAL mot manual and it states IF fitted with after market HIDs and IF the car has headlamp washers and self levelling lights these features MUST work. So therefor they will pass no problem as I have stated all along.

Bypass the issue

If you had a HU with a S-Video input and screen or ideally a separate screen. HD night vision cameras aren't too expensive.

Probably wouldn't be hard to setup for switchable rear camera too.

Guessing you could plug a camcorder into the loop too

In car night Vision project