2011 MOT rules - aftermarket HIDs; eek!!

**Big Dave** · 9th November 2010, 02:32

Still 13 months away until these new regulations come into force, but some interesting changes. From MOT from December 2011, the below changes will come into force, which will be very bad news for some.

http://wrecks2riches.co.uk/2010/10/2011-changes-to-mot/

HID lights – Specifically those aftermarket kits that give the very bright headlight beams. Any cars found with these kits will be an automatic MOT failure. Testers are able to easily spot the difference between HID kits, and manufacturer fitted Xenon’s. Easy to spot as Xenon cars have suspension level sensors, in car beam adjuster, and usually headlight washers.

I can't seem to find mention of it though on the MOT Tester website.

What's stopping us from temp unplugging the HID kits and fitting H7 halogens ;o)

**felixx** · 9th November 2010, 02:50

Originally Posted by Big Dave

Still 13 months away until these new regulations come into force, but some interesting changes. From MOT from December 2011, the below changes will come into force, which will be very bad news for some.

http://wrecks2riches.co.uk/2010/10/2011-changes-to-mot/

HID lights – Specifically those aftermarket kits that give the very bright headlight beams. Any cars found with these kits will be an automatic MOT failure. Testers are able to easily spot the difference between HID kits, and manufacturer fitted Xenon’s. Easy to spot as Xenon cars have suspension level sensors, in car beam adjuster, and usually headlight washers.

I can't seem to find mention of it though on the MOT Tester website.

What's stopping us from temp unplugging the HID kits and fitting H7 halogens ;o)

If that really is the case,then I suppose the picture will become clearer (no pun intended) as the date gets closer and more people with HID's become aware of it.FELIXX.

**Birchy63** · 9th November 2010, 07:43

Fit your HIDS in such a way as to make them interchangeable with ease

Hell some people go as far as changing an entire exhaust system for the MOT....... This measure is simply going to make the gap between the hardcore and the average Joe, much, much bigger.

**GARY3306** · 9th November 2010, 08:32

All I can say is I've just done my MOT testers 5 yearly refresher course, and you are told on this course of impending changes and long term changes. None of that was mentioned AT ALL. Not saying it isn't going to be the case, I'm just saying that we would have been told. What has changed is brake discs can only fail now if seriously weakened, so it doesn't matter how corroded, scored or pitted they are. Another one is there is now no need to 'tap' the lights to see if they flicker.

As for temp re-plugging in your halogen H7's for the test. Yep, perfectly acceptable, nothing wrong with that, as long as the beam pattern is right.

**Derek Mc** · 9th November 2010, 08:38

There was a very similar "notification" circulated around in about 2003/4 as well that has never been heard of again?

It may be based in fact it may not but if by some chance it was, then I'd do an H7 swap out.

**Fruit'n'nut** · 9th November 2010, 09:06

Nobody concerned about overly bright lights then?

**DarylAAS** · 9th November 2010, 09:55

LOL... ^^^^^^ State the obvious lol... Ive got HID'S and love them... i dont mind other peoples HIDS providing they are pointed to the ground rather than the sky...

**felixx** · 9th November 2010, 09:56

Originally Posted by Fruit'n'nut

Nobody concerned about overly bright lights then?

I think that most people on here,(well most of the post I've read anyway),have discussed the type of bulb strength to use,as the OEM headlights in the Vectra are poor,to say the least,and how to set them up properly and in such a way as not to "annoy/dazzle" other road users,or draw police attention to the fact that they have HID's fitted. FELIXX.

**Fruit'n'nut** · 9th November 2010, 10:05

Originally Posted by felixx

I think that most people on here,(well most of the post I've read anyway),have discussed the type of bulb strength to use,as the OEM headlights in the Vectra are poor,

OTOH, i asked a question recently about all these "how to upgrade my lights" posts on here, as I didn't think the headlights on my Vectra were at all bad. The response I got was on a theme of "the pre-facelift models have terrible lights" yet if you read through the threads, there are plenty of people "upgrading" facelift Vectra C lights too.

I'm quite prepared to accept that there are some cars out there that do have terrible headlights, from the factory, but I'm not keen on the trend for uprating headlights on any and all cars.