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Old 10th August 2016, 11:47   #1
Stormbringer
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Default Xenon lights, their fitting and the legalities thereof

Folks
Bit of a long story here, the lights on my ZT are cloudy and a session with a lens repair kit had no effect so I decided to replace them. A friend came up with a set from another ZT that were "clear". In fact they turned out to be a set of xenon's. Now as far as I am aware they are a direct swap.
Just to be on the safe side I had a word with my insurance company to be told that if I fitted them my insurance would be invalidated. Another insurance company has said that they need to be "auto dimming"? And then said it's my responsibility to make sure they'd pass the mot ( that's fair enough).

As a result of this I'm somewhat confused. Can anyone please shed any light? And please no comments of "I wouldn't have said anything" or similar.

Pete
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Old 10th August 2016, 12:11   #2
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It's a question that's been asked many times. I'm sure if you use the Google search option you'll find the threads. Bottom line seems to be you'll be OK without self levelling. The MOT regulations are pretty explicit about stuff that's fitted or not fitted. Of course MOT and road legalities may not be the same thing.

Here's a starter:https://cse.google.co.uk/cse?hl=en&c...g%20HIDs%20MOT

TC

Last edited by T-Cut; 10th August 2016 at 12:14..
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Old 10th August 2016, 12:14   #3
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For some reason my phone won't let me search the forums.

Pete
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Uprated head gasket fitted.
Blue Monaco's fitted.
New boot lid with spoiler fitted
Plenum Guard fitted
To do
Reversing sensors.
Xenon headlights
Twin horns.
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Old 10th August 2016, 12:17   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by T-Cut View Post
It's a question that's been asked many times. I'm sure if you use the Google search option you'll find the threads. Bottom line seems to be you'll be OK without self levelling. The MOT regulations are pretty explicit about stuff that's fitted or not fitted. Of course MOT and road legalities may not be the same thing.

TC
I know you said that you didnt want any "i wouldnt have said anything comments"
But coming from someone who used to not declare anything to someone who now declares all his mods etc.
I can safely say you will not have any issues with using Xenons, The insurance really dont need to know any of this information... They just like to make money and telling them you have fitted xenons is one of those money making exploits as it will now be classed as a modifcation even though its just a factory item.

If you want to do it properly get the xenon auto levelers and use the light module from a xenon car (has no manual level control)

Or like most who fit these just get them and level them accordingly, if you have some friends in the back drop the beam down manually like you would any other lights.
Auto levelers are just to keep the Xenons from blinding folk because people always forget to level there lights.
It isnt active all the time it periodically checks the position of both sensors and adjusts the lights.

Just fit them, line them up correctly and leave them be.
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Old 10th August 2016, 12:18   #5
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the mot regs state "check ANY self level and wash systems present for correct operation"

it does not state that they have to be there in the first place...

I personally have put 4 hid upgraded cars through multiple mot's in varying stations with no issue at all... Not even a passing comment...
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Old 10th August 2016, 12:24   #6
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It sounds to me they might be confusing your modification with fitting a HID kit into halogen light units, which the DoT regard (or used to anyway) as not legal.

The only bit of info I found came from the DoT in 2010, which states:

"1. The headlamp unit (outer lens, reflector, bulb) shall be type approved to ECE 98 and be "e-marked" to demonstrate this. That can only be done by the headlamp supplier - Hella, Valeo etc. - who must test the headlamp in an independent laboratory.
2. Once fitted to the vehicle it must have headlamp cleaning and self-levelling (which can be for the headlamp or can be in the vehicle suspension - some expensive estate cars have "self-levelling suspension" and that is adequate). Also the dipped beam must stay on with the main beam."

The info is taken from this DoT document

Point 2 does appear to contradict T-Cut's comment above, so it might need clarification one way or the other.
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Old 10th August 2016, 12:25   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TomRS View Post
If you want to do it properly get the xenon auto levelers and use the light module from a xenon car (has no manual level control)
Indeed. Plus the jet washing system. This will require a twin pump washer reservoir, plus a T4 session to make it all work. Basically, the MOT says if these controls are present, they should be working correctly.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Monty Hotspur View Post
Point 2 does appear to contradict T-Cut's comment above, so it might need clarification one way or the other.
I don't think it does. Read my comment again.

TC

Last edited by T-Cut; 11th August 2016 at 12:35..
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Old 10th August 2016, 13:10   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by T-Cut View Post
Indeed. Plus the jet washing system. This will require a twin pump washer reservoir, plus a T4 session to make it all work. Basically, the MOT says if these controls are present, they should be working correctly.

TC
I have retroffited Xenons with a retroftitted washer system... but i have no auto leveling of any kind and my car has been through 3 MOT's from 2 different garages with no issues.

Insurance will automatically give issue with HID kits as these are illegal, they wont get you into trouble from the law and insurance dont need to know.

I have even fitted HID's into projector style lenses i.e on my old Skyline R32 or on my previous ZT with projectors... again no issues from mr plod or the MOT center's

Last edited by TomRS; 10th August 2016 at 13:19..
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Old 10th August 2016, 13:45   #9
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Early xenons don't have any markings on them so no one would know, I have fitted a few sets and mr mot man has been none the wiser about wash kit or self levelling.
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Old 10th August 2016, 13:53   #10
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Had mine fitted for 3-4 years now and no issues at MOT time.After installing them I took the car to Halfords who charged £12 to line them up properly.
Yes Halfords are not so bad..... most of the time
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