hid bulbs in pre faclift, lgal or not?

**garyvectrac** · 14th February 2013, 13:01

hi vectra owners.

just wondered as the car does not have these as standard,but does have projector lamps, is it legal to fit hid kits to the pre facelift vectra c. want a set but not sure of the legality or what colour to go for, dont want the usual blue that everyone seems to have.

cheers guys

**Big Dave** · 14th February 2013, 13:29

99% of aftermarket HID kits are illegal unless you also fit headlight washers and auto headlight adjusters.

However, from an MOT point of view, they'll pass a UK test providing they're not too blue and in correct allignment.

4300k to 5000k will give you an OEM look.

Anything over 6000k and they'll be too blue, and not so bright.

**patch22** · 14th February 2013, 13:30

Put 5000k in then they are white,and I've never heard of anybody bein pulled or done for having them and they also seem to pass mot's ok,so it sounds like its as near to legal as makes no difference

**Das** · 14th February 2013, 13:39

Originally Posted by Big Dave

99% of aftermarket HID kits are illegal unless you also fit headlight washers and auto headlight adjusters.

Thats just not true. HID kits are perfectly legal, its what you fit them to that makes them illegal. Normal HID bulbs can be fitted to projector/eliptical headlights, HID bulbs marked R can be fitted to reflector lens. Headlight washers and auto adjusters are not required either, however if fitted must work.

**patch22** · 14th February 2013, 13:58

Didn't know that about the R marking,ah well you live and learn

**garyvectrac** · 14th February 2013, 14:00

anybody recommend a good kit that will work with the cambus?

**Das** · 14th February 2013, 14:00

Some manufactures are using HIDs in reflector headlights these days, Renault for one.

**GazVXLINE170** · 14th February 2013, 14:04

The HID thing is technically a no no, however the head lights on the pre face are built around the halogen and xenon beam patterns making them legal. Fit the washer jets and tbh who really will notice?

Originally Posted by Das

Some manufactures are using HIDs in reflector headlights these days, Renault for one.

Honda are the other.

**Big Dave** · 15th February 2013, 02:19

Originally Posted by Das

Thats just not true. HID kits are perfectly legal.

Most HID suppliers will state 'for off road use only'. Reasons follow.

To quote from hids4us:-

"In the UK, fitting an aftermarket HID kit is not technically road legal as you are replacing a halogen bulb with an HID bulb, because of this the HID bulb cannot be E marked, which is a requirement for it to be road legal. Therefore our HID kits are sold for off-road use only."

And some more bumf.

"Are HIDs legal?

Unfortunately not without using a self levelling headlamp, headlamp washer jets and correct reflecting/projecting headlamps designed for a HID bulb. But they will pass an MOT if aligned correctly. So we have to sell them as off road use only."

-----------------------------------------------------

Here's what Hids Direct have to say

"Please remember; it is your responsibility to ensure that the items purchased are suitable for your vehicle make/model and that the use of said items complies with all applicable laws in your Country. Please also note that under UK regulations HID kits are not yet approved road legal, this is because HID kits are not e-marked approved in their entirety. Until UK regulations are changed or up-dated our HID kits are sold for off road and show use only."