Xenon lights, their fitting and the legalities thereof

[rich17865]

Does this all change when we leave the EU?

[maxi_crawf]

Originally Posted by rich17865

Does this all change when we leave the EU?

I've been waiting for that one

The regs will reference some UK Act or legislation so even when we leave until the UK legislation is changed all will probably remain the same for some considerable time.

Octagonally yours,

[first-things-first]

Originally Posted by maxi_crawf

I've been waiting for that one

The regs will reference some UK Act or legislation so even when we leave until the UK legislation is changed all will probably remain the same for some considerable time.

Octagonally yours,

Remember that Xenon HID lights, LED headlamps are illegal in the UK under construction and use regs.

Only through the acceptance of EU legislation (overriding UK version) are they allowed.

So the law will have to change to allow these.

As someone said earlier, some cars manage to miss the self levelling and headlamp washers.

Peugeot 308 has LED headlamps, but no headlamp washers.

http://www.carblogger.nl/wp-content/...-308-sw-05.jpg

Citroen DS3 has Xenon / LED combo and, I believe, has manual adjusters and again no headlamp cleaning.

http://www.largus.fr/images/images/ds3-2015-2.jpg

Maybe French je ne sais quoi?

[Polly]

Originally Posted by TomRS

Christ... debates get silly.



At the end of the day who gives a sh!t?

Well it appears the OP does,
and he asked for the facts. And seeing as the facts are all contained in the link kindly provided by Monty in post 6, I see no need for further discussion, unless that is, you dispute the opinion of the DOT.


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[Neil1]

Originally Posted by Polly

Well it appears the OP does,
and he asked for the facts. And seeing as the facts are all contained in the link kindly provided by Monty in post 6, I see no need for further discussion, unless that is, you dispute the opinion of the DOT.


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Unfortunately many new cars don't have self leveling lights or suspension let alone washers so this in itself is incorrect.

Hence so long as HID lights are fitted correctly and not just a bulb change then you are not breaking the law.

[Jakg]

Originally Posted by Neil1

Unfortunately many new cars don't have self leveling lights or suspension let alone washers so this in itself is incorrect.

Hence so long as HID lights are fitted correctly and not just a bulb change then you are not breaking the law.

They are either imported (where it gets a bit complicated) (e.g. EVO X) or have a light level output below 2,000 (?) lumens.

[Polly]

Originally Posted by Jakg

They are either imported (where it gets a bit complicated) (e.g. EVO X) or have a light level output below 2,000 (?) lumens.

In other words, cars a built according to the requirements of the market into which they are initially sold.
However that does not automatically make them legal in UK, unless that country was a member of the ECE.
The DOT leaflet is quite clear, if retro fitted, they must comply with ECE regulation that allows them to be fitted. So as you have just pointed out, there are perhaps alternative regulations that could be adopted, but you must fully comply which ever regulation you choose.
This perhaps also explains why the MOT is rather laxed here, because it suddenly becomes more difficult for the tester to apply the correct standard.
I don't believe for a minute that anyone is going to have to appear in court for fitting xenon's, but they should be aware that it might affect their insurance, and no insurance company is going to accept something that doesn't comply with the law. This attitude that it's your car, so you can do what you like with it just isn't acceptable.
Hastings insurance recently published a list of the top 5 modifications they wanted to be told about, and believe it or not, a respray was quite high up in that list.


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[Steve42]

Hastings insurance recently published a list of the top 5 modifications they wanted to be told about, and believe it or not, a respray was quite high up in that list.


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I find that Hastings are becoming a pain in the rear when it comes to modifications .
have just bought a v6 to replace my v6.
called Hasting up to swop over the insurance .
the new v6 has mud flaps . wanted to know if they was on from new.
if not its a modification and I would need to tell them when I find out.
told me as it was not on the car when new it would be classed as a mod .

[Leyland Worldmaster]

Originally Posted by first-things-first

Remember that Xenon HID lights, LED headlamps are illegal in the UK under construction and use regs.

Only through the acceptance of EU legislation (overriding UK version) are they allowed.

So the law will have to change to allow these.

As someone said earlier, some cars manage to miss the self levelling and headlamp washers.

Peugeot 308 has LED headlamps, but no headlamp washers.

http://www.carblogger.nl/wp-content/...-308-sw-05.jpg

Citroen DS5 has Xenon / LED combo and, I believe, has manual adjusters and again no headlamp cleaning.

http://www.largus.fr/images/images/ds3-2015-2.jpg

Maybe French je ne sais quoi?

Not just cars; all of our new buses have LED headlamps with no 'lamp washers. Perhaps it's something to do with light output. Not sure, I'll do some research and get back to you.

[TomRS]

Originally Posted by Polly

Well it appears the OP does,
and he asked for the facts. And seeing as the facts are all contained in the link kindly provided by Monty in post 6, I see no need for further discussion, unless that is, you dispute the opinion of the DOT.


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Granted he did yes... but im sure he didnt ask for a swinging match.


I think some folk need to take a step back and relax a little, there are thousands of drivers on these roads that will lie and cheat about things far far worse than a headlight upgrade, not saying its right but i think in the grand scheme of things its not really a problem.

As long as it passes MOT and you dont get into trouble with the law then i think you can relax.
There is quite a few cars that come with xenons and no levelers, hell some even come without projectors.
My accord for example has xenons with auto levelers but its in a normal glass light.
I've had more issues with that because it looks like i've just thrown a HID kit in then i've ever had with cars and projectors.
Most police/insurance companies wont care about factory fit items, its the big exhaust, lowered suspension, air intake that they care about... things they can see.
I've never had issues... Take my ZT for example it was a base spec car before it had all the extras added.
Its now insured as a SE, as after speaking to the lovely man on the phone he basically told me that any factory retrofits are just a way to increase the price, they say "it makes it more desirable to steal" so can hike the price but in reality it makes no difference.
Mr Thief isnt going to peak inside and go well its got no dimming mirror i wont be going for a joy ride in that!


Anyway im out my insurance is all above board, my premium for the ZT is £244 and the RS is £386.
I have declared modifications that affect the cars performance/handling like my exhaust, filter, springs, brake kit.
And im confident i'll never have any issues.

Thanks