Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Maintenance & Servicing Latest MOT change - headlamps

Richard - Yes if there is self levelling fitted to HID or LED it must work. However this isn't always obvious if its working so if in any doubt the benefit must be given to the presenter. The manual doesn't mention cleaning systems on LED headlamps ( yet!) - however HIDs from 2009 ( that have washers fitted) must work or fail. Not fitted - not needed.

I don't think HID or LED headlamps are a bad thing for a moment Dave, quite the opposite as you suggest. Being substantially brighter though they do have a corresponding potential to blind oncoming drivers on dipped beam if adjusted incorrectly OR if the cut-off is not of adequate precision.

ETA: Thanks for clarification Andy

Dave,

Not a dim question but quite illuminating - no idea I'm afraid! Seems a bit daft BUT there will be a good reason why DVSA have changed the wording. Bit like its 30mph limit for a reason sort of explanation.

As a long standing tester I have learned not apply my own logic or standards or have too much of an opinion on test items/rules. That way i keep to the book and perform the test as DVSA insist.

I will however ask the man from the ministry when he pops in in another 2 years or so!

[/quote] it is very easy to tell the difference just with a visual inspection though the lens.[/quote]

That is not proof positive.

May be, but I've not known many argue with an MOT tester and win

I believe the issue here is not that LED headlights are a bad thing. The problem lies in using a LED “bulb” in a reflector and lens unit that was designed for a halogen light emission characteristic. So light distribution is not like a proper LED headlamp that would have been designed and built as such from scratch.
Interestingly, the RAC did a survey in 2019 on headlamp dazzle where about 89% of drivers admitted to being dazzled on occasion and stated the problem seemed to be getting worse. The report went on to say that the regulations were going to be reviewed...and here we are!

I asked Duncan at Classic Car LEDS where I got my bulbs from if they would now offer headlight bowls or sealed units to meet the new MOT regs.
Here is his response which might explain why E marked LED headlights go from c £60 on fleabay to £350.

Hi John,

Thank you for your email.

We became aware of this on Tuesday.

It is a frustrating one as previously it was HID conversions of halogen reflectors only that was an auto fail. We can only imagine it is as a result of the flood of poor LED headlights on the market now. What is further frustrating is that so many insurers are accepting them as a safety upgrade assuming the MOT was passed. Interestingly Osram have had approved and therefore E-Marked, their H7 LED which is remarkably similar to ours for use in Germany only and only on the BMW 2 series so the regulators are beginning to catch up with technology so there may be hope yet.

We're selling them as off road use only, leaving individual customers to make their own choice as to use.

We are looking at complete conversions including the reflectors, however, from what we have found so far, those that state they are E marked are only E Marked for Electromagnetic Interference and not for road use currently.

Kind regards

Duncan

Duncan Rickards
www.classiccarleds.co.uk
Facebook - Classic Car LEDs

Shame that, I've had my Quadoptics tweaked on a proper MOT beam tester after fitting good quality LED bulbs & the Tester chap was happy with the alignment (we even had to aim them slightly up one one car)

Dave it is because the lens needs to be different to manage the light spread, the self levelling is to prevent the extreme dazzle that can be caused.

thanks to all for the clarification.....