If you have converted/retro-fitted HID or LED lights to the front headlight of your bike, it will be failed at MOT test. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/mot-ins...o4zPE5PUwT60zCSyk3HtW3HWF5RkVuCKtjhlDR9K58CHk Guidance rule 4.1.4 “Some motorcycles may be fitted with high intensity discharge (HID) or light emitting diode (LED) headlamps. Existing halogen headlamp units should not be converted to be used with HID or LED bulbs. If such a conversion has been done, you must fail the headlamp.” I guess there will be quite a few of us in this boat, including me. Yet another naughty bit to swop out before going to the test.
I think that applies if you have changed a bulb from original to LED, which is then used with the original reflector. Sealed LED headlamp units should not be affected.
Been around for a long time that, due to the fashion of retro fitted HID to cars, something to do with the reflector and also the headlamp washers or lack of them? Guess it has now been expanded to include LED's?
LED shouldn’t be a fail if it’s a quality LED and has the correct pattern. LED lamps are now very good and also available for classic cars who’s headlights resemble candles in fog!
Here we go, just like on facebook this could turn into internet armchair MOT testers war. Although I could be wrong and it just follows most other posts and morphs into a Brexit argument.
This is what I have been told as well ( tbh all my cars that had HID bi-xenon had self levelling and washers) I don't understand how can Ford sell the Ford Transit with HID and without washers.... Edit HID and LED are not exactly the same
it's been a wee while since this armchair mot tester tested, but in the 20odd years that i did, i learned that if they come fitted rather than aftermarket, they don't need washers.
tho it aint overly clear in the testers manual. 4. Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment - MOT inspection manual: cars and passenger vehicles - Guidance - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
I have a van with aftermarket LED conversion. It also means that hi beam dash blue tell tale light doesn't function. The MOT station called to say that beam pattern needed adjustment. Pass with no advisories this time. It wasn't a cheap MoT and I do wonder of a lot of the recommended little jobs were penance for the dodgy lights.
Pass and advise. they are put there to cover the testers arse. it means they have checked a testable item but didnt consider it excessive at time of test. much of an MOT is opinion, and one tester opinion is different from another, as it is with the authorities that administer and police it from one area to the next.
right ive actually bought this subject up with dvsa as i get quite a few older bikes in with hid conversions, but in the paragraph above the hid part it says you can have any light source , so i phoned them up and they said as long as it has the correct pattern you can pass it.
I’m not an armchair mot tester or anything like that but I did some research into this because my Stag headlights are rubbish. I was going to go the HID route but then found out about the self levelling and washers, not possible on the Stag. Then I found a website called classic car LED. The ones for my car would be H4 and the company told me the light pattern is exactly the same as halogen H4. They use these on there own cars without issue. I haven’t heard of a problem regarding LED at MOT but I have regarding HID. Obviously these are cars and not bikes but I honestly can’t see an issue. I’m no mechanic or MOT tester or lawyer, yes I’ve done armchair research and have thought of fitting to my bike. Again, obviously I don’t want to give assurances but I don’t see a problem. Perhaps ask your MOt tester for advice if you want some. Better lights can only be, err, better, right?
Did you not read the quote from the regs? What do you not understand by “If such a conversion has been done, you must fail the headlamp.”? And, yes they are termed “bulbs” as stated in the regs. Candidates are strongly advised to read the questions.
I am sorry but that is just not correct. The lamp works in conjunction with an optic and it is the optic which controls the beam pattern. Changing the light source changes the beam pattern as the optical centre of the light source is different for each light source. It is the change in beam pattern which VOSA wish to stop as it dazzles oncoming drivers. This change of pattern is inevitable and the “if the pattern is the same” you suggest, never happens MSc Light and Lighting
