Best LED side lights to get for 86 Defender

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baz58

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8
Hello,
Just after which LED lights would be best for my C plate 86 defender, ease in fitting/good quality.
some of the ones I have looked at have a plug/fitting on the end of them, which I would assume would have to be removed.
 
I have the Wipac ones fitted to mine. No problems with them. They seem like good quality, and are very bright for what they are.

Mine were fitted by a previous owner. They are using the standard bullet type connections, and have been drilled and screwed directly to the body panels.
 
Not heard of anything led related. Do you have more info?

https://blog.motoringassist.com/news/gems-latest-research-on-illegal-car-bulbs/

https://blog.motoringassist.com/news/fit-led-lighting-car-legally/

from what i’ve read if the lamp wasn’t originally designed for an LED it’s an mot failure

inc all the new MOT laws from may 2018 ref the blanking of EGRs , removing cats etc

So...

Advisories are being replaced with minor fails. These are all pre-written & approved by DVSA. You will still get a pass but they will be noted on your test certificate. Manual advisories are still being worked out but may disappear completely.

Those of you who have changed your standard headlight bulbs for HID's will now get a major fail even if the aim is correct. It has always been an offence to fit HID bulbs to halogen headlamps so the MOT is now in line with that.

Reverse lights are now part of the MOT for any car registered from 1st September 2009 (59 plate onwards). Daytime running lamps (DRL's) & front fog lamps must work on vehicles registered from March 2018 (18 plate onwards).

Engine Management Light is now a major fail. It must come on with the ignition and then turn off when the engine is started.

Brake pad warning lights are a major fail

Handbrake with excessive travel is now a major fail. Before it would only a fail if there was no reserve travel.

Contaminated (dirty) brake fluid is a major fail. Not sure how that will work as the MOT tester isn't allowed to remove the fluid cap.

Oil leaks (engine, gearbox etc.) can be a major failure if they are deemed large enough.

It seems they have removed the failure for tyres not being fitted according to sidewall instructions. Inner/outer or rotation incorrect.

Any modifications/removal to emissions related devices, this includes DPF'S and EGR's is now a major fail.

Where a DPF canister has clearly been cut open and re-welded, it will now fail.

A vehicle fitted with a DPF that emits any kind of visible smoke during the metered test will now fail

Emissions limits for diesels registered on or after 1st of January 2014 have been reduced. All diesels will now need to pass the limit that was set by the manufacturer when the car was new. This can be found on the VIN plate. For example the current limit for your diesel car may be 1.50. That could change to as low as 0.30 with the new rules.
 
Last edited:
Hello,
Just after which LED lights would be best for my C plate 86 defender, ease in fitting/good quality.
some of the ones I have looked at have a plug/fitting on the end of them, which I would assume would have to be removed.

Doubt if they would be road legal if fitted.

And if it is an 86 vehicle, it is a Ninety, or a One Ten.
 
No mention of LED in the new regs, but if you fit an LED headlamp bulb to a halogen designed lens, there will be an incorrect beam pattern = fail.

Anyway, the OP was talking of side lights, so just change the bulb. The lenses are opaque so if you choose the equivalent lumens for the wattage, it will just be a whiter light, and (I think) draw less current.
 
I have fitted the wipac set to my 1985 90. Good quality, waterproof and brighter than the stock units. You will most likely need to cut the plugs off and fit bullet connectors. You'll also need the correct flasher unit and either resistors or diodes to make your dash tell tale work properly. Easy enough.
 
All obligatory vehicle lights need to have an approval mark.

There is an exception for vehicles first registered before 1986, check Vehicle Lighting Regulations for exact date and compare to first registration date.

The OP might repeat might be road legal fitting an LED into his light fittings.

Fitting LED bulbs into a light fitting designed for filament halogen bulbs is illegal on post 1986 vehicles.

Reason being is that the approval mark is no longer valid as the light unit was not tested and approved for retrofitting a LED. This would make the vehicle not road legal and could have major insurance implications.

The simplest way to remain road legal is to replace the entire light unit with an approved LED unit.

Brendan
 
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