Headlight Washer/Levelling System Check on MOT - Its Official

[NHN]

Well obvious from title, but the new regs have come into force from yesterday, mine failed purely because of a hose had come loose & I had temporary disabled the system via coding.

But, he says if the headlights are hid's, then they have to test for them, he did, failed me because it was disabled, I re-enabled, fixed pipe then & there, passed.

So you've now been warned, its on the test & any mot station that doesn't check with cars with hid's, will now be breaking the law.

 

[olethalb]

i need a new pump, mine's seized

thanks for heads up

 

[ctd]

will get all those who have retro fitted HIDs without the leveling system and washers, watch this space

 

[Chriscooke]

Iirc not all cars that came with xenon/hids had the self levelling lights at the beginning. How will they test these?

 

[hollows wife]

I guess your mot tester didnt quite tell you all the rule. If you have xenon lights that have washer jets and self levelling then they must work.if your can has xenoon lights they only illegal if they have an incorrect beam pattern if not fitted with washers and auto levelling . For anyone with aftermarket hid kits if your lghts produce more than 2000 lumens of light then it is a failure unless fitted with auto levelling.
But if the plod pull you over they cannot fine you /whatever if you state that you're lights only produce 1990 lumens .as they have no way of testing this .only an mot station has the equipment neccesary .

 

[@udi A3]

Hollow, im pretty sure that was the old rules, if its fitted it has to work, if no level/washer fitted its not tested.

We will see though, my MOT is up for renewal now too

 

[ScottD3]

Hollow, im pretty sure that was the old rules, if its fitted it has to work, if no level/washer fitted its not tested.

We will see though, my MOT is up for renewal now too

Be interested to see what they say.

I'm going to have chat to my local garage and see what they say.

 

[jdp1962]

Be interested to see what they say.

I'm going to have chat to my local garage and see what they say.

Me too. My garage - which is also my MOT testing station - actually supplied and fitted the after-market HIDs I had on my B6 about four years ago. I haven't seen any kits on their shelves for a good while now, so next time I'm in there (service and MOT due end of April) I'll ask them what their understanding is of the legislation as it stands.

 

[@udi A3]

I do have manual adjusters from halogen lights still, so should be ok. If not ill be selling some oem xenons soon

 

[jdp1962]

I just spoke to my servicing and MOT garage about retro-fit HIDs, and their understanding of the current legislation. As far as they are concerned, retro-fit HIDs are an MOT failure, so they they no longer stock, sell or fit them.

 

[wesmaster]

Read here looks like you have to have washers and self level lights for MOT.

 

[Malfuss]

Read here looks like you have to have washers and self level lights for MOT.

I'm not quite sure how you work that out from your link. It clearly says 'Headlamp levelling and cleaning devices when fitted for HID or LED headlamps'. 'When fitted' is the pertinent part. It doesn't say anything about them having to be fitted.

 

[A4_MaJiK]

i need a new pump, mine's seized

thanks for heads up

x2 never bothered replacing the pump as the washers just make a mess of the front end and waste loads of screenwash (I buy the fancy nice smelling stuff from VW).

 

[Arrkon]

I'm pretty sure some older cars that came with factory hids didn't have auto levelling or wash... My old omega for one... *bit of fuel. For the fire right there... *

 

[blazedani]

I guess your mot tester didnt quite tell you all the rule. If you have xenon lights that have washer jets and self levelling then they must work.if your can has xenoon lights they only illegal if they have an incorrect beam pattern if not fitted with washers and auto levelling . For anyone with aftermarket hid kits if your lghts produce more than 2000 lumens of light then it is a failure unless fitted with auto levelling.
But if the plod pull you over they cannot fine you /whatever if you state that you're lights only produce 1990 lumens .as they have no way of testing this .only an mot station has the equipment neccesary .

Good point & thanks for the info.

Most of the people (even some working on the MOT inspection) don´t know that lights under 2000 Lumens don´t requiere auto levelling.

 

[blazedani]

I'm pretty sure some older cars that came with factory hids didn't have auto levelling or wash... My old omega for one... *bit of fuel. For the fire right there... *

Even the new ones.

the New Audi A1 & VW Beetle are some examples.

They have HID headlights (under 2000 Lumens) with no washer or auto levelling

 

[Steve220]

I'm not quite sure how you work that out from your link. It clearly says 'Headlamp levelling and cleaning devices when fitted for HID or LED headlamps'. 'When fitted' is the pertinent part. It doesn't say anything about them having to be fitted.

Finally, someone writing the truth rather than knee jerking.

My old Evo 9 have HID headlights as standard. No washers or auto leveling. It still sales through the MOT as they were never fitted to the car as standard. The main reason this rule has come in is to prevent the use of the aftermarket HID kits being installed and dazzling other road users. I myself do a lot of road cycling and my biggest bug bare is being blinded by incorrect headlight adjustments or HID's.

Here's one to look up and ask yourself - why must only HID lights have headlight washers? Why not every type of headlight? Answers on a postcard

 

[t8ups]

Finally, someone writing the truth rather than knee jerking.

My old Evo 9 have HID headlights as standard. No washers or auto leveling. It still sales through the MOT as they were never fitted to the car as standard. The main reason this rule has come in is to prevent the use of the aftermarket HID kits being installed and dazzling other road users. I myself do a lot of road cycling and my biggest bug bare is being blinded by incorrect headlight adjustments or HID's.

Here's one to look up and ask yourself - why must only HID lights have headlight washers? Why not every type of headlight? Answers on a postcard

I get dazzled by normal halogens, either the bulb is not seated correctly in the lamp or the headlamp is broke. its soo annoying, and them new Merc Xenons are sooo bright, they should be illegal.!

 

[Arrkon]

Here's one to look up and ask yourself - why must only HID lights have headlight washers? Why not every type of headlight? Answers on a postcard

As I understand it, Generally because HID (as the name suggrsts) and Led headlamps are far brighter/intense than your usual 55w dip beam halogen, and as such any dirt on the lens can refract the light far more easily than halo's.

 

[ScottD3]

I don't understand why they did away with head wipers.
They was so much better than just jets.
I also thought they was really cool watching the little wiper wipe.

 

[dbm]

I don't understand why they did away with head wipers.
They was so much better than just jets.
I also thought they was really cool watching the little wiper wipe.

Because Xenon lights are so powerful they would melt the rubber!

A mate of mine works for Leyland Trucks and is up on all the rules & regulations.

 

[ScottD3]

Because Xenon lights are so powerful they would melt the rubber!

Really?
WOW.

Did not think of that.

 

[cooper86]

Heres the mot inspection manual which is issued by VOSA themselfs. Every mot should be done to these standards. This will clear up any problems about hid self leveling/washers

Enjoy

http://www.motinfo.gov.uk/htdocs/m4i00000101.htm

 

[ScottD3]

Because Xenon lights are so powerful they would melt the rubber!

I was thinking about this.

If the rubber melts, why don't the plastic with in the headlight melt?

 

[cooper86]

I was thinking about this.

If the rubber melts, why don't the plastic with in the headlight melt?

I dont think the rubber would melt as hid bulbs are lower watt than halogen bulbs so produce less heat

 

[OFFSKEE]

I believe the latest generation of Xenons as fitted to Mercs and some of the other top marques use 55w Ballasts and burners and are very very bright.

 

[Ian2012]

the place where i go just passed one of cars with the wash system disabled, stupid rule if you ask me nice to see common sense being applied, what next your car failed sir because you haven't waxed it recently.

 

[dbm]

Well, that MOT centre is breaking the rules and would lose their license if it was found out. If the system is fitted, is must be operational.

These rules are for safety - HID lights are very bright and dazzle on-coming drivers very easily. A cleaner lens helps keep that in check.

 

[Greeny233]

Heres the mot inspection manual which is issued by VOSA themselfs. Every mot should be done to these standards. This will clear up any problems about hid self leveling/washers

Enjoy

m4i00000101

Well according to that it just says check operation of any wash or levelling system. So if it ain't fitted it doesn't have to be tested. If its fitted it has to work. That would be my understanding.

 

[Mike B]

Passed MOT again without washers working but thought best to replace faulty pump to avoid future risk.Got to the pump OK but hose was stuck on and had to cut the end off and splice on a section.Will have to watch fluid level now