The current MOT Testers Handbook states that a car retro fitted with HID lights will pass an MOT subject to it passing the beam setting, glare and colour test. It specifically states thar self-levelling and washers are NOT required, but that if fitted they MUST work.

As for the EU C & U Regs, I understand that an Ammendment was "passed" last year to allow this.

BOOM!

someone else with new documentation!

I should have worded my initial post better. I wasn't questioning the logic of your post, just devonutopia's statement that it answers the thread was incorrect as the title was also questioning legality.

Cheers

Steve

No worries steve.

There is alot of scare mongering on this site regarding legalities + MOTs etc..

Im not mega intune with the law side although i am very aware of the MOT + testing rules

Glad u posted the link to the DFT which backs up the legal side the HID saga.

Matt

Oh + heres a thread from earlier lol

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/250698-to-put-an-end-to-all-hid-legality-discussions/

And another

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/223990-xenon-headlights-and-mot/

....

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/236331-looking-for-hid-kit/

....

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/223336-fabia-vrs-hid-converstion/

...

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/251125-best-hid-kits-for-price-what-did-you-buy/

...

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/246332-fabia-1-hid-kit-advice-h7-or-h7r/

...

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/190927-aftermarket-hid-kit-maybe-not-illegal-without-self-levelling-and-washers/

...

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/250582-ebay-hids-which-one/

...

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/224735-new-bulbs-or-hid-kit/

...

There are loads more but i got bored lol

The current MOT Testers Handbook states that a car retro fitted with HID lights will pass an MOT subject to it passing the beam setting, glare and colour test. It specifically states thar self-levelling and washers are NOT required, but that if fitted they MUST work.

As for the EU C & U Regs, I understand that an Ammendment was "passed" last year to allow this.

Would be good if you had a link to stated amendment... Then we could have a sticky thread somewhere that noobs and worried members can ignore or forget at their discretion.

I've invested in a kitten farm and a high powered air rifle in expectation.

I think I'll stick with me halogens :think:

You might want to see this thread here, and my direct response to the legal debacle here.

Re the hypothetical situations etc, I am quite sure you are far more likely to end up in a real accident when you use VW/Skoda halogen projector candles driving a country road on a dark night. The Land Rover example is quite flawed, the guy bodged it, he was practically rebuilding the car. The MOT failed to spot it (it was a defect), and the guy got convicted of dangerous driving, the rest was just aggravating circumstances. MOT station was investigated but in the end not prosecuted as no doubt they claimed the rotten bracket was fitted after MOT.

If you retrofit HIDs, make sure you retrofit into projectors only, never reflectors, and go to a reputable MOT station for a beam shape/range check. That's about as legal as you should get with HIDs.

Edited 14 February, 201313 yr by dieselV6

Have people seen fordfan's post in the car chat room?

Suggests cars without washers/leveling are going to fail now as well.

At least for 2013 in the UK the retrofit HIDs with correct beam shape and range will pass. The reason why some people are confused, including many MOT testers, is dodgy guidance produced by VOSA. What is legally binding is MOT manual plus VOSA Special Notices. More details here, with quotes where appropriate. If an MOT tester sees a HID retrofit that has correct beam shape and range but is without headlamp washers and self levellers, at most he can issue an advisory that washers/levellers be fitted. Most MOT testers do not bother, though I wish they were rejecting more reflector headlamp HID retrofits as these always result in glare.

So far no VOSA Special Notices advise any upcoming changes to HID testing regime, and they usually do so at least a year before a change becomes mandatory, so I would say we are OK for next 2 years at least.

What is brewing up at the moment, but hopefully will not happen, is that EU nutheads are trying to change MOT from Roadworthiness check to Type Approval Check. It is an insane proposal that 1) requires that MOT tester checks exact details of every single car against a database, and 2) that you cannot modify car at all, that is not even put uprated brakes, a towbar other than factory, or an LPG installation. You can see who lobbied for this legislation.

Also, if you want to buy a new car that is not under the spell of Big Brother, get it before 2015, as from 2015 every single car sold in EU will be fitted with a tracker. That one is actually voted through already.

Edited 15 February, 201313 yr by dieselV6

What is legally binding is MOT manual plus VOSA Special Notices.

You are deluded, there is nothing legally binding about passing an MOT. It has nothing to do with the legality of a vehicle, and is just annual road worthiness check. If you don't believe this contact VOSA and DfT yourself and they will provide written confirmation of this.

Telling people that it's legal to retrofit HID's in the manner you suggest is irresponsible. Stating that it will probably pass an MOT and its their own decision is one thing, you go a stage further and state it's legal. You have been given the facts, yet you choose to ignore them.

If you disagree with the law that's fine, but to then state that by your twisted logic it's legal even though you've been presented with the facts, just makes you look stupid.

Stop posting cut and paste posts in 2 threads, my reply to you is here.

Have people seen fordfan's post in the car chat room?

Suggests cars without washers/leveling are going to fail now as well.

Not true.

Yeah, sorry. Just re-read and it sounds the same as it used to be. My bad!

Mine passed with the projector headlights and the associated HID kit. No worries.

I've had mine on for years and never had a problem, but I can adjust them etc

Boxy™

Ive had mine fitted for 3 years and passed every mot its been in so cant see why its a problem

red and green deffo be seen

You will now fail 100% with HID's fitted to the standard headlights, no1 for not having auto leveling system and number 2 no headlight washers.

The only time you will pass is if the MOT tester isnt doing their job right/doing you a favour or you've bunged them.

I want to cry.

New busses being fitted with HIDs as standard don't have washers or Auto levelers, in projectors though.

Led side lights that dim when indicating (partially DRL?)

A police officer in uniform, authorised by his/her Chief Officer, can put a prohibition notice on any vehicle he/she deems to be unsafe, to cause danger to other road users etc

26.5yrs of police service taught me that.

However, I only used it when for instance, their was substantial chassis corrosion, defective or non-operating brakes, heavily 'tinted' glass etc.

New VW beetles (2013 on) that have xenons fitted from factory do NOT have washers.

The way they have got round it is the law states washers are required for xenons with over 2000 Lumens of light..

The Beetle has 1998 Lumens of light

(Got told that last week on my training course at VW training centre in Milton Keynes)

Edited 18 June, 201313 yr by mattvrestate

^^^ Aha!

You will now fail 100% with HID's fitted to the standard headlights, no1 for not having auto leveling system and number 2 no headlight washers.

The only time you will pass is if the MOT tester isnt doing their job right/doing you a favour or you've bunged them.

The only 100% in the statement quoted is that it is 100% BS, I am afraid.

Washers will fail only if fitted and malfunctioning, if not fitted there is no RfR, HIDs will fail only if beam shape not correct or the MOT tester is an overzealous power hungry sociopath who cannot read VOSA notices with understanding.

Just MOTed my Mk1 Superb, beam was checked and found correct, no problems.

I had my car motd by kwikfit a reputable chain as you know they failed it by the reasons stated on the new mot rules, which is what I mentioned.

My advice is to change MOT centre then, or go back to kwikfit with a copy of latest MOT manual downloadable here, and ask them to point to you which Reason for Rejection they used to fail MOT. Should be interesting.

Unless of course the HIDs failed on beam shape, it would be no surprise, this should happen far more often. Most reflector style lamp HID retrofits are producing way too much glare. Projector/lens designs are are just fine in this respect.

Some quotes for you from MOT Manual: Note "may" and not "shall" or "must" in the first sentence below:

Vehicles equipped with High Intensity Discharge

(HID) or LED dipped beam headlamps may be fitted

with headlamp washers and a suspension or

headlamp self levelling system.

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.

And finally, Reason for Rejection (note only if levelling/cleaning devices fitted!):

A headlamp levelling or cleaning device

inoperative or otherwise obviously defective

Basically, the MOT manual clearly says "check beam shape and any cleaning/levelling devices that may be on the car". It does not say "look for missing devices". For MOT purposes, MOT manual is the law.

Edited 18 June, 201313 yr by dieselV6

They're the boys to trust! :no:

I had my car motd by kwikfit

Is this a joke?

I got pulled the other day due to the cops thinking i had Hids fitted ( actually led headlights ) they checked under the bonnet looking for ballasts. They said the led headlights look good and said have a nice night! Lol. So id say it depends what sort of mood the police are in.