HID Xenon Fitting Advice / Experience

[Simon Jones]

I've got a 2002 Mazda Bongo Aero camper van (yeah I know, silly name) and it is a grey import from Japan. It has factory-fitted HID lamps and does not have any form of headlamp washers although it does have conventional dash-mounted levelling control.

As you can see, these are not aftermarket units and I know for a fact that this arrangement has successfully made it through the MOT in the last 4 weeks without any advisory notes being issued.

[Bill_56]

There's nothing new about imported cars needing to be modified to meet UK MOT standards. Surely that is a good thing, though?

For example, I seem to recall that US cars may have combined brake lights & indicators, which we are not accustomed to It is my understanding that these would need to be modified to pass a UK MOT. If that is correct, then surely it is reasonable that non-compliant HIDs should also need modified to pass a UK MOT?

[Meenrod]

Originally Posted by Randomnumber

You're backtracking. Your first post said 'As of 2012' now you're saying 'at some point'

The MOT manual is current, the Matters of Testing magazine I linked to is also current. Neither state a car will fail if wash/levelling is not fitted.

End of. Do whatever you want. But you still haven't answered my question about imported cars.

Again, I think your're missing the point somewhat. Whether the MOT regs will pass a car today is irrelevent. It doesn't matter what your link to the handbook says- the point is that the regs are changing and intention of the Transport Dept is to clamp down on HID.

Whether a vehicle is imported or not is irrelvent too, it still has to pass the same MOT regs. Jap imports don't have rear fogs for example- that is picked up before the MOT or it fails.

There isn't really an argument... the point is if you have aftermarket HID (or an import) make sure you make the nessesary amends or take them out.

[jiwilson]

Originally Posted by vandenplas1100

Hi jdwilson your 2006 xc70 lux will have auto levelling headlamps, i have the same car they do it automatically. you will not have a switch inside the car, no need to worry next mot time.

Oh ! Thanks. There are so many clever gizmos on these cars - its difficult to keep up.

As it happens my son is an MOT tester, I feel an interesting conversation coming on.

[hartside]

Ive got a 55 reg s60 d5 se with hid xenons hope there self lvling and with washers never noticed either gulp

[andy_d]

its Also worth noting
Despite the new regs coming in on jan 1st
there is a "grace" period till march whereby SOME of them are not being enforced "to the letter" ...

so you car passing "in the last 4 weeks" falls into the Grace period,,

[Gazzza]

GRACE PERIOD oh no not the Grace bit again

Please post a link to where it says grace

AS OF the 1st of january the rules are. . .

not from march / april / may

but the 1st of January

[Bill_56]

Originally Posted by hartside

Ive got a 55 reg s60 d5 se with hid xenons hope there self lvling and with washers never noticed either gulp

It is my understanding that, if it was fitted with HIDs, and was sold into the UK market, it will have self-levelling and washing.

As they are self-levelling, I suspect you'll find you've no manual adjuster? It's one one two small rotary thumbwheels adjacent to the lighting switch (the other is the instrument dimmer).

Absence of manual adjuster is one reason I feel enthusiastic about HIDs... From what I can see I suspect a lot of drivers (regardless of headlamp type) use the manual adjuster for best visibility on dipped lights, rather than avoidance of dazzle. Taking away that ability, and doing levelling automatically, has to be a good thing.

[Gazzza]

Just wondering with out reading all the posts and links is it for cars made after 1/1/2012

Just a thought

[Bill_56]

Originally Posted by Gazzza

Just wondering with out reading all the posts and links is it for cars made after 1/1/2012

Just a thought

I must admit, I've been trying to track down the detail on these requirements and it seems a complete shambles. I read somewhere that the UK regulations technically don't (or didn't?) allow HIDs at all on new cars, but the UK is legally bound to allow them as they meet European approvals. They (UK) then seem to have concluded that it'll be OK as long as they are self-levelling, but I can't find solid evidence on which they based that (apart from the MOT advice already posted).

Whatever the truth, I'd be very surprised if the new MOT failed to accommodate older cars that were legally sold into the UK market, regardless of compliance with any new (or old) requirements.

I'd be AMAZED if owners of pukka' UK vehicles with HIDs have anything to worry about, regardless of whether self-levelling is fitted (as long as it's not just broken). Imports from beyond the EU, or modified cars, could be another matter....


I'm actually envious of anybody with factory-fitted HIDs as my night-time eyesight is not as good as it was. If I had such a car I'd be feeling very grateful and not worrying in the slightest.