Discussion
To keep up to date with modern technology, new checks will be added in respect of HID ( high Intensity Discharge ) and LED ( Light Emitting Diode ) headlamps.
HID lamps use a gas discharge system and require a ballast, igniter and a special high voltage circuit
They have two electrodes in a glass tube filled with Xenon gas and metal salts. When the high voltage is applied the electrodes form an arc which ionizes the xenon atoms and metallic salts creating light.
HID lights are up to three times brighter than normal bulbs and therefore have the potential to dazzle other drivers. To combat this new vehicles fitted with HID lighting must have either a headlamp levelling or rear suspension levelling system and a headlamp washing system.
Previously aftermarket kits were excluded from this requirement. However the DOT considers that after market kits should meet the same safety requirements
Therefore effective 31st December 2011 in order to pass the MOT test ALL vehicles fitted with aftermarket HID lights will also need to be fitted with a headlamp cleaning and levelling system
These systems are also mandatory for ALL vehicles fitted with LED headlights.
There are a couple of other minor changes planned, finally you will have to have a working rear number plate light and the main one being a electical test of any trailer socket fitted to a vehicle, any non compliance will result in failure
HID lamps use a gas discharge system and require a ballast, igniter and a special high voltage circuit
They have two electrodes in a glass tube filled with Xenon gas and metal salts. When the high voltage is applied the electrodes form an arc which ionizes the xenon atoms and metallic salts creating light.
HID lights are up to three times brighter than normal bulbs and therefore have the potential to dazzle other drivers. To combat this new vehicles fitted with HID lighting must have either a headlamp levelling or rear suspension levelling system and a headlamp washing system.
Previously aftermarket kits were excluded from this requirement. However the DOT considers that after market kits should meet the same safety requirements
Therefore effective 31st December 2011 in order to pass the MOT test ALL vehicles fitted with aftermarket HID lights will also need to be fitted with a headlamp cleaning and levelling system
These systems are also mandatory for ALL vehicles fitted with LED headlights.
There are a couple of other minor changes planned, finally you will have to have a working rear number plate light and the main one being a electical test of any trailer socket fitted to a vehicle, any non compliance will result in failure
Hold steady, this is not how I have read it and I am a tester..
Thee are grey areas between construction and use and MOT's, the new manual that we have seen with regards to testing seems to state that IF the car has self levelling and or washers fitted then they must work, therefore if the car has no provision for them then the car is fine, same for aftermarket, they will not be failed for lack of the above.
You have always had to have an illuminated rear number plate.
The tow bar electrical test is for EU style 16 pin not UK style (yet)
There are a raft of other changes including SRS lamps lit are going t be a fail etc, if you need more info I will try and clear it up although we have not officially been given the updates yet.
Thee are grey areas between construction and use and MOT's, the new manual that we have seen with regards to testing seems to state that IF the car has self levelling and or washers fitted then they must work, therefore if the car has no provision for them then the car is fine, same for aftermarket, they will not be failed for lack of the above.
You have always had to have an illuminated rear number plate.
The tow bar electrical test is for EU style 16 pin not UK style (yet)
There are a raft of other changes including SRS lamps lit are going t be a fail etc, if you need more info I will try and clear it up although we have not officially been given the updates yet.
I've just bought a car with HID, the pattern is clean and sharp and seems to be self leveling. However it does offer height adjustment on the dash. So does this mean I'm wrong? Also it has no washers, I've been told early HID cars didn't have washers?!? Would this be the case?
Should I look at removing them if they are going to fail the MOT?
Should I look at removing them if they are going to fail the MOT?
There was a lot of hot air about this at the end of last year just before the reg's came in, according to the actual mot test manual you should be ok provided the leveling and washers aren't fitted and if they are, they work. The subject has been pretty silent since the new year so i would assume people aren't having problems, although some areas of the new regs are just advisories at them moment.
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