I thought HIDs were not uk road legal ?

[gobbleplease]

Just seen this in vw golf + mag, I couldn't see a date on it so I presume it's out of date or can you actually buy uk road legal hid conversions ?

Pay particular attension to the text on the bottom of the page

http://www.thegolf.co.uk/news/price-watch/126-focus-on-mk1-a-mk2-golf-headlamp-modifications.html

[chrisr763]

Don't quote me on this. I think its the wattage that has to be controlled. I think like 65w is too much

[PDT]

Official wording is:

" HID headlights can cause dazzle if they are dirty or aimed too high so car manufacturers must fit headlamp cleaning and levelling systems. A car will fail if a mandatory headlamp cleaning or levelling system is missing, doesn't work or is obviously defective. Vehicles fitted with aftermarket HID systems must also be fitted with properly working washer and levelling systems. "

so the HID kit itself is road legal as long as you fit a washer system that works in conjunction with your windscreen washers, and fit a self levelling system.

[mo]

Cryptic rules as ever... I have also read that all post 2010 cars with hid/xenon headlamps must have working washers and auto levelers from factory. So does this mean that anything pre 2010 that has hid/xenon lights remain as they are not a legal requirement but if they are fitted they have to work ?
If not then i guess this means anyone who has retro fitted oem xenons will also be handed the illegal lights card,

[gobbleplease]

Dam, the rest of the kit doesn't make financial sence, too expensive !
Plus I don't think drilling the bumpers on the mk2 will be a good look

[rich83]

essexracing..... say no more!! 

[sandancer]

Official wording is:

" HID headlights can cause dazzle if they are dirty or aimed too high so car manufacturers must fit headlamp cleaning and levelling systems. A car will fail if a mandatory headlamp cleaning or levelling system is missing, doesn't work or is obviously defective. Vehicles fitted with aftermarket HID systems must also be fitted with properly working washer and levelling systems. "

so the HID kit itself is road legal as long as you fit a washer system that works in conjunction with your windscreen washers, and fit a self levelling system.

I'm not doubting the 'official word', but my old 2.0 tdi was fitted with an aftermarket HID kit and it passed it's MOT test no problem without any levelling system or washers.
My understanding was the washers and levellers could only be tested if fitted........

[Aweful_Truth]

one of our Subaru's (sorry for swearing) has HID headlights from factory, but doesnt have washers or levelling, but i presume as it was from factory that so long as they are the correct level is fine? its currently being stripped and the guts are being put in to a kit car (RS200 shell) so because its no longer in the subaru does that mean they will become illegal... or, because theyre in the scooby headlight cluster so long as theyre level will still be fine?

[dave]

You can only fail an mot for no washers or levelling system if they are fitted as standard and aren't working. Retro fitting HIDS is not illegal and aslong as they are aligned then its fine. Before anyone asks I'm an mot tester myself and was told this on a recent course

[jonnym]

You can only fail an mot for no washers or levelling system if they are fitted as standard and aren't working. Retro fitting HIDS is not illegal and aslong as they are aligned then its fine. Before anyone asks I'm an mot tester myself and was told this on a recent course

Yeh I was going to say this! Evos etc (imports) don't have washers etc but still have HIDs factory fitted.

If you have a after-market HID kit, if you have HIDs for the reflector lenses you should be fine - H7R HIDs as oppossed the just the normal H7s.

[Aweful_Truth]

oh yeh forgot the scooby i mentioned was an import... 

[GTI Leeds]

You can only fail an mot for no washers or levelling system if they are fitted as standard and aren't working. Retro fitting HIDS is not illegal and aslong as they are aligned then its fine. Before anyone asks I'm an mot tester myself and was told this on a recent course

As above, also a tester myself and was told the same

[mo]

Thought that would be the case guys, glad someone has shed some light on this as lots of cars on this forum have xenons but no washers or levers.
whilst on the subject and to clarify for others is there any rule on post 2010 cars with hids failing if they dont have washers and auto alignment ?I read this somewhere but wasnt sure how correct it was.