Xenon update with OEM xenon headlights

[Derek Oliver]

I am a member of the MG owners club and one of our regular posters on there is an MOT tester. This subject comes up occasionally regarding the TF which has projector type headlights so it is practical to convert to HID.

He is adamant that the testing rules (at present) do not call for either self levelling or washers in that the vehicle is tested "as presented" and as long as the headlight aim is correct with the manual adjustment set to its highest position that's a pass.

Also I am still a member of the Jaguar forum from the previous Xtype we had and again the topic comes up regularly as that model has the world's worst headlights. They would disgrace a pre-war vehicle. Many owners of those have fitted after market HIDs without SL and have passed MOT without comment, not even advisories.

My tester acquaintance gets official updates from VOSA and nothing has come up to indicate that this situation might change in the near future mainly due to the difficulties of practical testing of any SL fitted. The change that is coming in says "where fitted" SL and washers must work but if not testable the owner is given the benefit of the doubt.

New cars with HID do have to be fitted with both SL and washers under C&U regs but as some came off the production line without, this muddle is probably going to continue for some time.

To sum up, if you fit after market HIDs of good quality with nice clean cut off and set them properly they shouldn't cause any MOT problem for the foreseeable future. Of course when loaded you must adjust them down both as courtesy to on coming drivers and to avoid the attention of the constabulary.

The one fly I can see in this ointment is if you have an accident at night. The insurance companies are keen to avoid liability if they can and a keen eyed assessor might pick this up. I have not seen any reports on that to date.

[Daim]

Originally Posted by Derek Oliver

I am a member of the MG owners club and one of our regular posters on there is an MOT tester. This subject comes up occasionally regarding the TF which has projector type headlights so it is practical to convert to HID.

He is adamant that the testing rules (at present) do not call for either self levelling or washers in that the vehicle is tested "as presented" and as long as the headlight aim is correct with the manual adjustment set to its highest position that's a pass.

Also I am still a member of the Jaguar forum from the previous Xtype we had and again the topic comes up regularly as that model has the world's worst headlights. They would disgrace a pre-war vehicle. Many owners of those have fitted after market HIDs without SL and have passed MOT without comment, not even advisories.

My tester acquaintance gets official updates from VOSA and nothing has come up to indicate that this situation might change in the near future mainly due to the difficulties of practical testing of any SL fitted. The change that is coming in says "where fitted" SL and washers must work but if not testable the owner is given the benefit of the doubt.

New cars with HID do have to be fitted with both SL and washers under C&U regs but as some came off the production line without, this muddle is probably going to continue for some time.

To sum up, if you fit after market HIDs of good quality with nice clean cut off and set them properly they shouldn't cause any MOT problem for the foreseeable future. Of course when loaded you must adjust them down both as courtesy to on coming drivers and to avoid the attention of the constabulary.

The one fly I can see in this ointment is if you have an accident at night. The insurance companies are keen to avoid liability if they can and a keen eyed assessor might pick this up. I have not seen any reports on that to date.

All well and good that some people get through, but SOME isn't EVERYONE. That is the problem. All you need to do is get to an MOT tester who will take rules so serious that even the slightest modification will make it fail.

European law is in this case above British law and in EU regulation R48 the rerquirement of automatic leveling and headlight washers are noted if you have lights with exceed the brightness of 2000 lumen (halogen is 1500-1800 lumen, xenon lights are around 3000 lumen).

This law is also active in Britain, as it was passed into ALL European nations...

[joonak]

Originally Posted by Daim

Wiring is NOT plug and play. The plugs on the lights themselves are different! Halogen and Xenon lights have different plugs on purpose! To stop people fitting them where they aren't allowed.

Remember: your current lights have the manual height adjustment via little wheel on the light switch. The motors for those are different (the Xenon ones react faster and are ALWAYS in use). They are also wired different. Xenon lights need regular calibration too as they will during life point downwards (at least in a Volvo).

Either: fit halogen lights and be happy or do the COMPLETE conversion.

The headlights CAN be taken to pieces and the parts from one fitted in the other. You can make your halogen lights look like xenon ones be fitting the chrome rings...

http://forums.swedespeed.com/showthread.php?157055

Any opinions about this?

[nbuuifx]

Originally Posted by Daim

All well and good that some people get through, but SOME isn't EVERYONE. That is the problem. All you need to do is get to an MOT tester who will take rules so serious that even the slightest modification will make it fail.

There shouldn't be a problem with any MOT tester - if they failed you for not having self levelling then you would just take it to VOSA for appeal. The MOT guidance is quite clear now (it used to be a bit hazy) and you do not need self levelling or headlamp washers.

I don't really know about the EU stuff but that usually applies to new cars - please provide some proof of what you were saying about EU law.

Originally Posted by MOT Manual

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 such systems are fitted, they must work; however, it is accepted that it may not be possible to readily determine the functioning of self levelling systems. In such cases, the benefit of the doubt must be given.

Originally Posted by MOT Manual

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.

[Daim]

Originally Posted by nbuuifx

There shouldn't be a problem with any MOT tester - if they failed you for not having self levelling then you would just take it to VOSA for appeal. The MOT guidance is quite clear now (it used to be a bit hazy) and you do not need self levelling or headlamp washers.

I don't really know about the EU stuff but that usually applies to new cars - please provide some proof of what you were saying about EU law.

I can only provide you with the EU regulations in German. The correct regulation code is ECE-R48

Here in German from Hella, the light manufacturers and is valid for cars and trailers:
http://www.hella.com/hella-com/asset...rschriften.pdf

Page 5, section "Sonstiges":

Sind die Scheinwerfer mit Lichtquellen > 2.000 Lumen (in der Regel Xenon) ausgestattet (Fern- und Abblendlicht), müssen eine automatische Leuchtweiteregelung und eine Scheinwerferreinigungsanlage verbaut sein.
Diese Anforderungen gelten auch bei nachträglichen Umrüstungen von bereits im Verkehr befindlichen Fahrzeugen, die nach dem 01.04.2000 umgerüstet wurden.

Use google translator and you get the point stating, that vehicles built after the 01.04.2000 (and retrofitted since then) require automatic leveling systems and headlight cleaners. I've highlighted the important words (even though German).

It is a regulation. Germany had no law regarding Xenon lights before this EU regulation was introduced.

[Daim]

Originally Posted by joonak

http://forums.swedespeed.com/showthread.php?157055

Any opinions about this?

Nasty bodge... That is all I will say about it.