987 - Legal (?) HID Retrofit

[random_username]

Hi All

We have a 987.1 Boxster, and the headlights are appalling. It's a non Litronic model, despite fitting uprated bulbs (Nightbreakers) the light output is woeful - this seems to be a fairly common issue with the halogen light equipped cars!

I've been looking for solutions - you can get Litronic headlight units reasonably easily, this coupled with a compatible ballast (to fool the bulb failure system) should result in working lights.

Looking at the MOT regs:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/mot-inspection-manual-...

• If a complete headlamp unit has been replaced with a unit that was manufactured with HID or LED light sources, it must not be failed for ‘Light source and lamp not compatible’ but it must meet all other requirements detailed in section 4 of this manual specific to the type fitted at the time of test.

As the Litronic units would have the correct DCR markings on to denote that it's a HID complete light unit, this should pass. A HID 'kit' in the halogen projector should fail.

Factory HID cars come with self levelling, but:

• Vehicles with high intensity discharge (HID) or LED dipped beam headlamps may be fitted with a suspension or headlamp self-levelling system. If these systems have been fitted, they must work.

As these are not fitted, they cannot be tested and therefore still should pass.

Likewise headlight washers:

• You must inspect vehicles first used on or after 1 September 2009 equipped with headlamp washers.

It's a pre-2009 car, so again this should result in a pass.

As long as the insurance company is notified, it should pass MOT and be perfectly road legal, correct? Or am I missing something else?

[random_username]

I've already tried those, as per original post..

[John Laverick]

random_username said:

Hi All

We have a 987.1 Boxster, and the headlights are appalling. It's a non Litronic model, despite fitting uprated bulbs (Nightbreakers) the light output is woeful - this seems to be a fairly common issue with the halogen light equipped cars!

I've been looking for solutions - you can get Litronic headlight units reasonably easily, this coupled with a compatible ballast (to fool the bulb failure system) should result in working lights.

Looking at the MOT regs:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/mot-inspection-manual-...

• If a complete headlamp unit has been replaced with a unit that was manufactured with HID or LED light sources, it must not be failed for ‘Light source and lamp not compatible’ but it must meet all other requirements detailed in section 4 of this manual specific to the type fitted at the time of test.

As the Litronic units would have the correct DCR markings on to denote that it's a HID complete light unit, this should pass. A HID 'kit' in the halogen projector should fail.

Factory HID cars come with self levelling, but:

• Vehicles with high intensity discharge (HID) or LED dipped beam headlamps may be fitted with a suspension or headlamp self-levelling system. If these systems have been fitted, they must work.

As these are not fitted, they cannot be tested and therefore still should pass.

Likewise headlight washers:

• You must inspect vehicles first used on or after 1 September 2009 equipped with headlamp washers.

It's a pre-2009 car, so again this should result in a pass.

As long as the insurance company is notified, it should pass MOT and be perfectly road legal, correct? Or am I missing something else?

You're over analysing a simple problem and solution. Just put the HID kit in and get on with life. That's what I did a few years back with no problems come MOT time.

I can't imagine there are many MOT testers out there that will notice (or care about) the difference between an older boxster originally fitted with halogen bulbs now fitted with a HID Kkit.

[ATM]

I believe these can work well. They are a more natural looking colour of light. So that way they don't scream after market and HID.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/334135791079

[Harfi88]

I had aftermarket LED bulbs in my 987.1 for a while, They are better than halogen and didn’t blind other drivers. The only real problem was they triggered bulb warnings and flickered.

[TubbyNorman]

Hi, I run a 987 3.4 S, and always thought the lights were a bit dull. A short while ago I had one of those famous light bulb moments (sorry, pun unintentional but hey ho, I've left it in) and I polished the lens covers with Solvol Autosol, any other mildly abrasive cleaner would do, I'm told Brasso/Silvo works and WOW, light output improved many many percent.

I often use the roads around Goodwood where there isn't much light, and I'm impressed with how much better I can see now.

Try it, cheapest fix you will ever find.