Other MOT special notice 01-21: headlamp conversions

Just noticed this over in the FL section. Not gonna impact me cos my headlights are standard Night Breakers, but anybody with the silly "upgrade / conversion" will have problems.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publi...nQHGMrPCvPUcjjgJmTY6O6E8gObKygRAozvCd5hZo2SlY

IMO if you change the complete headlight unit for one designed for HID or LED then it's ok.

And about bloody time too.

backinblack said:

IMO if you change the complete headlight unit for one designed for HID or LED then it's ok.

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I think they have to have a cleaning device if fitted.

allanw said:

I think they have to have a cleaning device if fitted.

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never understood this but i'm sure theres some logic...
brighter than traditional filament bulbs, so the lamp must be dirt/grime free at all times... whereas the older, dimmer ones can be covered in junk

kermit_rr said:

never understood this but i'm sure theres some logic...
brighter than traditional filament bulbs, so the lamp must be dirt/grime free at all times... whereas the older, dimmer ones can be covered in junk

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I think it is cos dirty lense refract the very bright light into oncoming drivers eyes.

Col

I thought this was the law anyway, it looks to me all they have done is given a veto to conversions done before 1986, for some reason. I'm not sure why as LED's weren't even a thing back then and halogens were often in their own sealed beam units

JimS said:

I thought this was the law anyway, it looks to me all they have done is given a veto to conversions done before 1986, for some reason. I'm not sure why as LED's weren't even a thing back then and halogens were often in their own sealed beam units

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I thought it was the other way around, i.e. before 1986 was OK?

Grrrrrr said:

I thought it was the other way around, i.e. before 1986 was OK?

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Thats what I meant to say
Dunno why 1986 though, random year

Maybe before it was like most govt rules, all wishy washy, whereas now its a dead cert fail end of, and about kin time to!
Plus it gives the bobbies a rule to refer to when they stop a car with dodgy headlamps?

They never stop them tho or those with numpty lights

oakey said:

They never stop them tho or those with numpty lights

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Which particular numpty lights?

The ones below the bumper that arent fog lights and its not snowing

oakey said:

The ones below the bumper that arent fog lights and its not snowing

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Sounds like fog lights to me

Some are driving lights or else just badly aimed and they should only be used in snow etc whatever type

JimS said:

Thats what I meant to say
Dunno why 1986 though, random year

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I guess they figure there aren't many cars over 35 years old still on the road other than classics and none from that time will have had HID or LED and the owners will want them original.

That or the minister has a 35 year old Range Rover with an LED light conversion.

Wonder how long it'll be before they deal with the pop-pop-bang exhausts so popular on tuner cars with another law or too. Out of any car mod, they probably get the 'f**king cock' award from the general public.

JimS said:

Wonder how long it'll be before they deal with the pop-pop-bang exhausts so popular on tuner cars with another law or too. Out of any car mod, they probably get the 'f**king cock' award from the general public.

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I agree. There are a couple of nobheads near me with these pop pop bang exhausts. I wouldn't mind so much but they scare the crap out of my dog.

Col

backinblack said:

IMO if you change the complete headlight unit for one designed for HID or LED then it's ok.

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That is how I read it as well,

"Converted" not OK.ie. swap the bulb only.

Change the complete unit and it is OK, is how I read it. I guess people will find out how theMOT inspectors interpret the rules over the next few months.

Cheers

.

Colthebrummie said:

I agree. There are a couple of nobheads near me with these pop pop bang exhausts. I wouldn't mind so much but they scare the crap out of my dog.

Col

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Funny isn't it, when I was young it was all about the rumble, bangs just meant your distributor was up the spout and your car ran like crap