Question about HID kits.

[FIL 4822]

It seems that lots of club members are switching over from halogen bulbs to HID's and we all know how poor the Vec and Signum lights are !

Does the car need headlight washers if fitted with HID's ?
I'm hearing conflicting stories. Some say yes, need washers and some say no, they don't need washers.

My previous cars with factory fitted xenons all had washers.

I'd like to fit a HID kit and from reports on here, it's one of the best modifications you can do on the Vec C, but if there are issues, i'm reluctant to go ahead with this mod.

Does anyone know what the rules/regulations/facts are about aftermarket HID's ?

[W17GLE]

some people say you need washers for the mot but i've not had problems before and i've fitted them to three cars now. As long as you have projector headlights so the beam doesn't scatter everywhere you will be ok.

[danBoy]

As far as I'm aware cars that comes from the factory with xenons need to have headlight washers.

If HID's are added as an after market modification then I don't think they need to have the headlight washers.

[Ziggy]

I think they are meant to and be self leveling.

[FIL 4822]

See what i'm saying ? Conflicting replies on this within 3 posts .

Any MOT testers on here ? Would love to know what you think.

[Big Sig]

Phil this has been covered before and the exact rules/laws posted up. Any car that had xenons/hid's requires that they are self levelling AND washers, hence why they come from the factory as such.

Anyone fitting them without these should fail an mot and be subject to the law!

[Big Sig]

OLD THREAD

DOT link

Quoted from the last link: Therefore a HID headlamp unit sold in the after market should:

1. be type approved to ECE Regulation 98 as a component.

2. when fitted to the vehicle should enable ECE Regulation 48 to be complied with (although no government inspection will take place).

3. Comply with RVLR as far as "use" is concerned.

In practice this means:

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.

3. The headlamp must be maintained in good working order, kept clean, and aligned/adjusted correctly like any other headlamp.

[FIL 4822]

Phil this has been covered before and the exact rules/laws posted up. Any car that had xenons/hid's requires that they are self levelling AND washers, hence why they come from the factory as such.

Anyone fitting them without these should fail an mot and be subject to the law!

The law bit bothers me ! MOT's can be got round by replacing the original bulbs when the time is due.

[Big Sig]

The law bit bothers me ! MOT's can be got round by replacing the original bulbs when the time is due.

Just posted up the relevent bits for you to have a read

[FIL 4822]

Just posted up the relevent bits for you to have a read

Just started reading the link now bud.