As someone said in the previous thread, I think it would be a very fussy mechanic who failed a car on an after market HID conversion because it didn't have the auto levellers and washers. But best buy your mechanic a xmas pressie and start sweetening him up, just in case. I'm sure we will start to get feed back from members in the new year after they have their MOT's so we can start to gauge it's impact. No doubt there will be the odd one or two who fall foul of this rule though. But personally I can't see it being a real problem. (famous last words before I have to rip my HID's out! )Doc I'm only quoting a link here.As for the impact on these new MOT rules I think we need to wait and see.
I was reading a foram today and 1guy stated if your car needs all electric devices working like electric seats this will cost a fortune.
Trev said:1) The biggest question seems to be over after market HID kits, do they require washers and auto-levelling to be fitted?
The first evidence that people come up with is the PEN:
http://www.dft.gov.uk/vosa/repository/technicalpenpicture3-lighting.pdf
Which suggests “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”, but then the MOT Inspection Manual:
http://www.dft.gov.uk/vosa/repository/MOT Inspection Manual.pdf
Says that “...headlamps may be fitted with headlamp washers and a suspension or headlamp self levelling system. Where such systems are fitted, they must work”, so the vehicle will only fail an MOT if the systems are there but don’t work, rather than if they’re not installed at all.
That DfT page is pretty old, suggesting the law hasn't actually changed from what it always was, legally you're in trouble for using aftermarket HID kits but has anyone ever been stopped by Police and told to remove them?VOSA said:1) For legal advice on the fitment of HID kits I would advise to contact DfT and I've attached a link to a statement on their web site
http://www2.dft.gov.uk/pgr/roadsafety/drs/hidheadlamps.html
From an MOT perspective the Inspection Manual (IM) applies to passenger vehicles and if presented for test with HID headlamps it will be tested accordingly.
However the IM does advise that it is not always possible to readily determine whether HID lamps are fitted and if there is doubt "benefit of doubt" should be given.
Trev said:2) Alterations to ECU maps or ECUs will fail?
I can’t find anything on official test documentation to suggest that ECUs will be tested in any way, yet people are claiming vehicles will fail if the ECU has been tampered with. Obviously there are a lot of modified cars on the roads with remapped ECUs, and some highly modified vehicles have new replacement ECUs.
The only relevant thing I can see is from the MOT Inspection Manual, which states “Repairs and modifications to vehicles must be ***essed on their merits, taking account of the nature and function of the component. The main criterion to be used when ***essing repairs is whether the repair is obviously likely to adversely affect the roadworthiness of the vehicle. In respect of modifications, the main criterion should be whether the modification has seriously weakened the component.”. This obviously suggests that 99% of ECU remaps and replacements will pass an MOT? There does seem to be a new rule about unsafe wiring, which I guess could be linked to ECU retrofits, is this maybe where the confusion is coming from?
So no problems with ECUs or remaps.VOSA said:2) ECUs will not be testable. The component criterion refered to only applies to those testable components which are specifically stated in the Inspection Manual. As ECUs are not stated there will not be a relevant reason for rejection (RfR). Section 1.9 does refer to an inspection of visible wiring but has very specific RfRs for damage or the likelihood of damage and exposed conductors. Modification to wiring would not be a failure unless it met the specific RfRs. Given the location of modern ECUs it is probable that the wiring will not be visible anyway.
Trev said:3) Modified suspension and/or wheels will fail?
This seems to be the same argument as above, again there are a lot of vehicles which would be put off the roads if they were to fail suspension and wheels that are different to OEM spec.
Again, no problems as long as the fitting is safe - so don't go hacking off the top of your spring to lower your car basically.VOSA said:3) There are no new RfRs for modified suspension or wheels that differ from OEM.
However there is a new Method of Inspection (IM 2.4 A2) which refers to a suspension component for inappropriate repair or modification and has a corresponding RfR where the repair or modification has seriously weakened the component.
So they're not changing the RfRs as they are in the current Inspection Manual, which says things like '...may be fitted...'.VOSA said:The inspection manual as currently published gives the full RfRs. There is the possibility of minor modifications (eg an acceptance of specialist modifications for certain vehicles regarding steering wheel airbags is being considered), but testers should include all the items in the Inspection Manual in their examination of the vehicles at this time.
VOSA said:may I clarify something regarding HID lights. HID lamps that have an output of less than 2000 Lumens do not need headlamp levelling or washing. LED lamps under 2000 Lumens must have self levelling, but do not need washing.
It is also not possible for an MOT tester to determine whether or not a particular lamp is more than 2000 Lumens or not. The MOT test therefore uses the lowest criteria that can realistically be applied; so if a particular vehicle is fitted with a headlamp levelling or washing system, then we consider it logical to ***ume that it requires it by law and therefore it must work.
Ok,let me know.I am worry,because i don't have self leveling and no washers.MOT tomorrow. Lets see on the HID's! Mine has washers and projectors. Just no auto-levelling. Let's see if they notice.
Tomas i think the washers will be the give away IMO.This is why im holding off for the min on my car for this reason.Ok,let me know.I am worry,because i don't have self leveling and no washers.
Ok,let me know.I am worry,because i don't have self leveling and no washers.
But my car doesn't have washersyou dont have self leveling but you must have washers. i dont know of any 7th gen without headlight washers.