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New MOT requirements - aftermarket HID lamps
In your article about the MOT rules from 1/1/12, you advise that afterrmarket HID conversions will fail without washers and self-levelling. You appear to be wrong on this. The official MOT testers manual states :
"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 ....."
NOTE the word MAY!
It goes on to say: "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." NOTE the word ANY!
On the face of it these two together mean that if the systems are not fitted then they are not tested and their absence will not cause an MOT fail.
Am I wrong?
Asked on 8 January 2012 by Francis K
Answered by
Honest John
It is illegal for manufacturers to equip a new car with HID Xenon lights and not fit the lights with automatic self-levelling. The fact that the self levelling is often either too slow or fails is going to be a real problem because replacement HID Xenons are at least £400 a side even if bought directly from the manufacturers, and from £800 a side if bought from the car manufacturer's dealer.
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