I've seen a few threads about these being illegal if not OEM with headlight washers, failing MoTs etc etc etc

 

 

I've also seen an Autoexpress video on Youtube saying how potentially dangerous they can be due to scattered beams, dazzling etc etc etc

 

 

Now I can understand that to be the case if you have standard headlights with a normal low beam bulb

 

 

But is it still the case with projector headlights, bearing in mind that the light source is behind another piece of domed glass?

 

 

Just wondering if anyone has any backed-up views about them, particularly as far as a Mk2 Octavia is concerned

 

 

Thanks

I've seen a few threads about these being illegal if not OEM with headlight washers, failing MoTs etc etc etc

I can assure you they aren't illegal if you can get a pattern on them so they don't dazzle people. Whether a projector will do this is another question however there are no legal issues with them and not having washers etc.

Not in an Octavia, but my MKI Superb (with OE projectors) passed 3 MOT' s with HID's fitted... the beam pattern was perfect on I had only one or two people flash me in all that time, which is less than I have been flashed in my MKII (with OE Bi-xenons - that was a big mistake when I flash them back!)

I might run the car down to my friendly local tyre fitter to see if they'll do me a free beam alignment check, MoT time isn't far away

I'm by no means a expert but as long as they are lined up right and in projectors I think they are good to go, I've yet to see a poor looking set of HIDs in projectors. 

The commonest failures on Post-fitted HID's, according to my local MOT man, are poor beam definition, and colour.

 

Poor beam definition may be caused by the type of reflector fitted, but is often caused by the cheaper HID kits using "bulbs" that are the incorrect length for the focussing of the reflector, normally too long. It is worth checking the length against a standard bulb.

 

Colour is because people think that the ultra-blue HID's look cool and provide better light; they don't on either count!

I never thought to check the length of mine before I inserted it, Graham, but I think they are similar

Not keen on the blue tints, so went for the 5k white ones

In the 4 years I had my Octavia I had them fitted with HIDs for about 3.9 of those 4 years. 

 

I never got flashed once, the beam pattern passed every MOT without issue and with light washers I wasn't overly concerned. I find that actually I get blinded more by OE kits with the beam bouncing around. I also find that badly aligned halogen lights in older cars from people who just don't care. Using 5000k HIDs it looked very OE. 

 

I wouldn't put them into the wives Fabia mind you with the reflectors.

Although I cannot say in direct reference to the Octavia (I have the luxury of factory-fit xenons), I had aftermarket kits on my Vecta and also Mazda 6, both of which had projector bulbs. I plumped for 5100k bulbs as these are supposed to have the best light output and wasn't getting them for looks. I put the cars through 4 MOTs and never had a problem mainly due to the fact that the beam shape and cut-offs were good. I made certain that they weren't set too high and only got flashed in 5 years of driving them (as I crested a hill - had the same in the Octavia). 

 

In terms of performance, I'd struggle without them now. They are great if they're installed well.

4300K is a match for OEM.

 

I have factory fit xenon's in the MkII Octavia and a HID kit behind projectors in my MkII Superb, and the light output and colour is all but identical.

Nothing to worry about from a MOT point of view. as long as the beam image and alignment are correct.

I've got 5k Hids in my projectors. Passed the past 2 MOTs without any problems

I never thought to check the length of mine before I inserted it

 

 

 

 

It took you a while, but you got there in the end  

That's what she said...

The kits may pass an MOT, but that doesn't mean they are still Road Legal.

 

There was an old note from the Department of Transport that states (I can't find the exact page):

 

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. - Department for Transport (2006)

 

Taken from: http://www.powerbulbs.com/blog/2010/03/are-xenon-hid-kits-legal

These aren't Halogen headlights though, these are projectors. 

Looking at the kits are there any to stay away from? Most seem to claim error free canbus friendly etc

How do you stand retro fitting to a car still under manufactures warranty would you need to remove the kits every time it went into the dealers for service etc?

Regards

Dont they do 'R' meaning 'Reflector' HID bulbs for use in Halogen light lenses? (eg H3R, H4R, H7R) Not sure if they are any better suited or not, I just heard it somewhere.

The 'R' just refers to an anti-glare bulb, so may be better suited for reflector headlights

A lot of people say it passes MOT, which is fine, but what do your insurers say? Its a modification, so you need to declare it, right?

A lot of people say it passes MOT, which is fine, but what do your insurers say? Its a modification, so you need to declare it, right?

That's an interesting one

Do people notify their insurance company when they fit Phillips Extremes or Osram Nightbreakers?

A lot of people say it passes MOT, which is fine, but what do your insurers say? Its a modification, so you need to declare it, right?

So is fitting maxi dot or cruise control, do people tell their insurances about that or any other OEM modifications?

So is fitting maxi dot or cruise control, do people tell their insurances about that or any other OEM modifications?

 

That varies from insurer to insurer, some do want to know about factory options. HID kits are certainly not that, so its an irrelevant question anyway.

That varies from insurer to insurer, some do want to know about factory options. HID kits are certainly not that, so its an irrelevant question anyway.

They aren't factory fitted options when you fit them yourself when the car is X numbers of years old.