HID Xenon Fitting Advice / Experience

[jiwilson]

Am I safe in assuming that...

on a car like my XC70 with HID fitted from new (2006)

which has headlight washers fitted

but no self levelling (so far as I am aware)

Nothing in the new MOT regulations will now make it fail because it does not have self levelling headlights.

This surely must be true - if not, think of the consequences!

[owyn]

This is interesting, I've always discounted HID's as an aftermarket addition because of the legal headache.

My car does have self levelling and headlight washers. Does this mean after market HIDs are allowed or is there another law that would stop it?

[Randomnumber]

Originally Posted by Gazzza

http://www.dft.gov.uk/vosa/repositor...3-lighting.pdf

Lights

Condition, operation including HID and LED headlamps for cleaning, self levelling and security. Headlamp aim. Main beam warning light.

OR . . .

Dazzle can also be caused if the lamps are dirty or aimed too high due to, for example, carrying rear seat passengers and/or heavy items in the boot. Vehicles with HID headlamps are therefore required to have a headlamp washing system (a wiper is not required) and be self levelling, which may be achieved either by the use of either headlamp or suspension levelling systems.
The presence and operation of these headlamp cleaning and levelling devices has been added to the test. Therefore, if a mandatory headlamp levelling or cleaning device is missing, inoperative or otherwise obviously defective, the vehicle will fail.

As I have said, this contradicts the MOT Inspection Manual issued 01 Jan 2012;

http://mottesters.co.uk/files/specia...n%20Manual.pdf

Section 1.7.

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

It does not mention that if they're not fitted, it is an automatic RfR. So what is correct? The Inspection Manual, or that TPP?

[Meenrod]

I think you're clutching at straws here and missing the point somewhat. It has long been known that the MOT regs are changing in 2012 and that amongst other things HID must have self levelling and a wash system.

Whether or not the handbook states it now is irrelevent- it will at some point in 2012, and the original point of this thread if you read back is that the advice is don't bother fitting HID now, it will cause a headache soon.

jiwilson- I'd be very surprised if you didn't have auto levelling. Do you have a level adjust switch in the car?

[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.

[Randomnumber]

I'm not clutching at straws at all. I'm fully aware that this has been known about for some time, and I'm also fully aware of the original scaremongering on forums when it was first announced. Either by people in a rage because they have a HID kit fitted, or by those thankful that it'll stop ****box cars blinding everyone.

It is plain and simple, and clear to read. The new MOT regs make no difference to these situations.

I honestly couldn't care a ****, as I don't have aftermarket HID's. But I guess everyone who has a Jap import car with HIDs and no auto levelling/wash, might as well scrap it, or spend fortunes on modifying.

It also states here, as an added RfR coming in April/May;

http://www.dft.gov.uk/vosa/repositor...Dec%202011.pdf

Headlamp levelling or cleaning device inoperative or obviously defective (LED or HID headlamps only).

If they're not fitted in the first place, how can the car fail?

The original advice in this thread, to not bother fitting a HID kit is wrong. Fit it, and forget about it.

[Gazzza]

Originally Posted by Randomnumber

As I have said, this contradicts the MOT Inspection Manual issued 01 Jan 2012;

http://mottesters.co.uk/files/specia...n%20Manual.pdf

Section 1.7.



It does not mention that if they're not fitted, it is an automatic RfR. So what is correct? The Inspection Manual, or that TPP?

Mind you the only thing im concerned about is the 13 PIN trailor socket because mine is a 7





Forget all this posts on what ever site as the MOT man said we go by the http://www.dft.gov.uk/vosa/publicati...sandguides.htm sites there the ones you go by

[Meenrod]

Originally Posted by Randomnumber

If they're not fitted in the first place, how can the car fail?

The original advice in this thread, to not bother fitting a HID kit is wrong. Fit it, and forget about it.

I'm sorry, but that is just plain wrong and misleading. Please check your facts by reading the Dept of Transport guidelines to what is changing in the MOT- it's in plain English and is very clear-

"This raises the question of whether these checks apply to vehicles fitted with after-market HID lighting kits. The Department for Transport considers that after-market systems should be required to meet the same safety standards as that applied in respect of these lamps at vehicle Type Approval. Therefore, in order to pass the MOT test, vehicles fitted with after-market HID systems would also need to be fitted with headlamp cleaning and self-levelling systems."

This can be read here-

http://www.dft.gov.uk/vosa/repositor...3-lighting.pdf

Aftermarket HID kits without self levelling and wash will fail the MOT at some point during 2012. Fact.

[Randomnumber]

The MOT manual I linked to is exactly the same as the one in that link.

If you click through, it directs you here;

http://www.motinfo.gov.uk/htdocs/m4i00000001.htm

[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.