HID'S still ok?

csd_19

Full Member
May 11, 2005
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Angus / Edinburgh
You'd be better looking at a 4300k set, much more natural light with less blue tint to them.

You'll see better with the 4300k than the 6000k too ;)

Can't confirm on the legality etc, last I'd heard they were still okay though.
 

KarlB1

Active Member
Nov 15, 2012
326
1
Aylesbury
Regarding legality, they're legal if the car is fitted with automatic levelling and headlight washers and projector headlamps..which the Leon doesn't have.

That means it won't pass an MOT..but tbh I had them on my Saxo and my Leon and I just changd them over at MOT time and luckily police are pretty lenient with stuff like that around here.

As above, 4300k is almost pure white, 6000k are quite blue.
The lower the number, the whiter and brighter the light is. The higher the number gets, the deeper the colour goes..but they also get dimmer. 10000k is a very solid blue and eventually at (I think) 15000k or 30000k it's purple..but obviously that illegal even in cars with factory fitted xenons etc.
 
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andycupra

status subject to change
poor advice

HIDs are fine for an MOT, as long as the beam pattern is ok and they are not too blue.
Bear in mind with a reflector type headlight you need to fit the correct bulb and even then HID beam pattern can be poor. However many are fine.

auto levelling and washers are not required for an MOT.
 
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GMan_88

Active Member
Sep 19, 2012
187
0
Reading
HIDs are fine for an MOT, as long as the beam pattern is ok and they are not too blue.
Bear in mind with a reflector type headlight you need to fit the correct bulb and even then HID beam pattern can be poor. However many are fine.

auto levelling and washers are not required for an MOT.

+1 mine passed it's test the other day with 6000k hids. Imo 6000k isnt a blue as people are making it out to be. Its more white with a faint blue tinge. Its 8-10000k and above that shift from blue to purple and become a nuisance. I did have to aim my headlights down 1 or 2 clicks as they are pretty powerful.
 

James_R

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Legality and mot legislation Are different. The police may regard them as illegal but as far as VOSA are concerned as long as they meet the test criteria then they are fine and will pass.

6000k is pure white where 4300k is slightly yellow.

If you do get pulled then ask what section of the Highway Code HIDs do not conform to and why the police believe standard fit DRLs are illegal, I'll informed civil servants.
 

James_R

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They can dish out fines but if the case goes to court and it's been wrongly issued then they'll look very stupid and often end up paying compensation.

Had a similar run in last year but no proof could be obtained of the legality, just the police officers opinion (which isn't law) so I drove away Scott free.

I then emailed the West Yorkshire police and VOSA. VOSA basically said what I already knew and I never got a response from the police.

Tax money well spent.
 
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James_R

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I removed mine as I didn't want to take the chance.

But for anyone wanting to buy a set I can recommend my good friends company XenonsOnline

Nathan is a good lad and supplied many kits to me.

Would that be xenons online based in Oldham?
 

James_R

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Yeah I know the one, bought a few sets from them. They're only around the corner from me.
 

andycupra

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after market HID kits illegal but openly for sale... mmm... do they have the phrase "for show use only".. most dont.
they are not illegal. for those who want to go into very fine details about law may start quoting CE marks and IVAs as kit cars have to complete..
hang on, that would mean everytime you alter from the manufacturers exact spec would mean a car is illegal... different tyres, alloys, suspension, remaps, exhausts, body kits, bumpers.. blah blah blah.. wipers!!!?!!!! bulbs.... and so on..


The simply fact is, if its deamed safe, (there are no dangerous dangling wires) and it meets the MOT testing procedure, - light output alignment etc then you will be fine.
This is where the issue is misunderstood, - correct alignment. there are many people out there who have retro fitted HIDs incorrectly, with wrong bulbs or headlight types and so drive round blinding other drivers.. and its not the HIDs thats the issue so much as simply alignment. so yes you may get stopped in such a case and might get a vehicle defect rectification ticket (or whatever its called) which would mean going to an MOT place to have car tested for the defect to be corrected/tested.
 
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