Is broken headlamp washer a MOT failure on 2019 Leon Cupra?

[andy330d]

Hi, I've got a 2019 Leon Cupra ST. When I presented at my SEAT dealer for MOT and service I mentioned that the offside headlamp washer was inoperative. The car passed its MOT and I am wondering if it should have, given the state of the headlamp washer. Struggling to track down the spec of the LEDs (as I understand it they need to be 2000 Lumens or more before the washers are a requirement?) It's Approved Used so I still have MOT cover and Warranty, so ideally would like it repaired under one of those.

TIA

 

[Rusty2k]

I believe this is one of the things that changed in the 2018 overhaul of the MOT test, and the light output of the lamp is no longer relevant. I believe this change was because the light output in lumens is not commonly marked on the lamp units, and the instructions to testers previously were to treat as halogen if the output cannot be determined.

Since the changes headlight washers on vehicles first used on or after 1 September 2009 must be tested. A faulty washer should be a minor fault and advisory for halogen lamps and a major fault and fail for HID or LED lamps.

MOT inspection manual: cars and passenger vehicles - 4. Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment - Guidance - GOV.UK

Headlamp, position lamps, daytime running lamps, stop lamps, indicators, hazard warning lamps, fog lamps, reversing lamps, lighting ‘tell-tales’, trailer electrical socket, electrical wiring and battery rules and inspection for car and passenger vehicle MOT tests.

www.gov.uk

According to that, it should have failed.

 

[andy330d]

I believe this is one of the things that changed in the 2018 overhaul of the MOT test, and the light output of the lamp is no longer relevant. I believe this change was because the light output in lumens is not commonly marked on the lamp units, and the instructions to testers previously were to treat as halogen if the output cannot be determined.

Since the changes headlight washers on vehicles first used on or after 1 September 2009 must be tested. A faulty washer should be a minor fault and advisory for halogen lamps and a major fault and fail for HID or LED lamps.

MOT inspection manual: cars and passenger vehicles - 4. Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment - Guidance - GOV.UK

Headlamp, position lamps, daytime running lamps, stop lamps, indicators, hazard warning lamps, fog lamps, reversing lamps, lighting ‘tell-tales’, trailer electrical socket, electrical wiring and battery rules and inspection for car and passenger vehicle MOT tests.

www.gov.uk

According to that, it should have failed.

That's really helpful, thanks very much

 

[DEAN0]

It is odd - many mk3.5 leons have the same led headlights but do not have headlight washers as standard.
I believe they were only fitted as part of an option pack so technically are not a legal requirement.

 

[LeylandVCDS]

It is odd - many mk3.5 leons have the same led headlights but do not have headlight washers as standard.
I believe they were only fitted as part of an option pack so technically are not a legal requirement.

So basically, if it's fitted, it should be working?

 

[DEAN0]

So basically, if it's fitted, it should be working?

Probably - yes - just like if you have a spare wheel in the car it needs to be legal.

 

[RUM4MO]

The wording of the MOT manual, in its latest or later issue, must have changed wrt LED headlights after round about 2017/18 for new models, as that was when many people noticed "headlight washers" had vanished from cars that had LED lights.

My wife's August 2015 reg'd - but very late 2015 build standard (late June 2025), was ordered as an SEL and so came with LED headlights, we added in "winter pack" as an option, and that would have been the only reason why it came with headlight washers.

I'm not convinced that the statement "if they are fitted then they must work" applies here, as maybe most of you remember the spare wheel "thing" - ie no need to have/carry a spare wheel, but if it is in the car then it must comply with the rules covering all the other wheels/tyres - then suddenly that was dropped, as far as I know, from the MOT inspection in UK. Same for rear washer and wiper nowadays I seem to remember.

I don't mind being proved wrong though.

 

[fuzzylogic]

The wording of the MOT manual, in its latest or later issue, must have changed wrt LED headlights after round about 2017/18 for new models, as that was when many people noticed "headlight washers" had vanished from cars that had LED lights.

My wife's August 2015 reg'd - but very late 2015 build standard (late June 2025), was ordered as an SEL and so came with LED headlights, we added in "winter pack" as an option, and that would have been the only reason why it came with headlight washers.

I'm not convinced that the statement "if they are fitted then they must work" applies here, as maybe most of you remember the spare wheel "thing" - ie no need to have/carry a spare wheel, but if it is in the car then it must comply with the rules covering all the other wheels/tyres - then suddenly that was dropped, as far as I know, from the MOT inspection in UK. Same for rear washer and wiper nowadays I seem to remember.

I don't mind being proved wrong though.

Probably - yes - just like if you have a spare wheel in the car it needs to be legal.

The spare wheel is not and never has been a MOT testable item.

Extract from testers manual

2.12 Tyres and wheels​

These will be inspected to check for:

• condition
• security
• tyre size and type
• tread depth

Spare wheels and tyres are not inspected.

​

 

[RUM4MO]

Hum, maybe check back through earlier issues of that document, which will probably not be possible now, but I've been driving since maybe 1976 and I am sure that at one point in time, spare wheels were checked, and then only checked if in the car, and then not checked.

 

[LeylandVCDS]

The wording of the MOT manual, in its latest or later issue, must have changed wrt LED headlights after round about 2017/18 for new models, as that was when many people noticed "headlight washers" had vanished from cars that had LED lights.

My wife's August 2015 reg'd - but very late 2015 build standard (late June 2025), was ordered as an SEL and so came with LED headlights, we added in "winter pack" as an option, and that would have been the only reason why it came with headlight washers.

I'm not convinced that the statement "if they are fitted then they must work" applies here, as maybe most of you remember the spare wheel "thing" - ie no need to have/carry a spare wheel, but if it is in the car then it must comply with the rules covering all the other wheels/tyres - then suddenly that was dropped, as far as I know, from the MOT inspection in UK. Same for rear washer and wiper nowadays I seem to remember.

I don't mind being proved wrong though.

Agree about the MY2015 - my old 64 plate had factory LED package being an SE Technology, but it did not have headlight washers

 

[fuzzylogic]

Hum, maybe check back through earlier issues of that document, which will probably not be possible now, but I've been driving since maybe 1976 and I am sure that at one point in time, spare wheels were checked, and then only checked if in the car, and then not checked.

Started as an apprentice mechanic in the 70s worked with an MOT tester and it certainly was not tested then or ever has been.

 

[DEAN0]

The spare wheel is not and never has been a MOT testable item.

Extract from testers manual

2.12 Tyres and wheels​

These will be inspected to check for:

• condition
• security
• tyre size and type
• tread depth

Spare wheels and tyres are not inspected.

​

I must have had over enthusiastic testers in the passed because the spare got checked on a few mot's

 

[LeylandVCDS]

I must have had over enthusiastic testers in the passed because the spare got checked on a few mot's

I've certainly had spares checked in the past, even had one where it said spare not checked as it was inaccessible as boot was loaded

 

[RUM4MO]

I still clear the boot prior to handing cars in for MOT testing, just habit, and I seem to remember maybe my VW main dealer always demanding that no personal items were left in cars - maybe that says/said a lot about either their other customers - or their staff.