This is taken from a newsletter to MOT testers

Do HID headlamps require washers / self levellers?

Headlamp washing and levelling systems are a legal requirement for high intensity discharge (HID) lamps with a luminous intensity exceeding 2,000 lumens. But unless the luminous intensity is marked on the lamp, a tester won’t be able to tell if these systems are needed.

So, they can only be rejected if they are fitted and are inoperative or obviously defective. If they are missing and you believe they should be fitted, then pass and advise

I've never seen any headlights with any value of luminous intensity marked on them, so basically unless you are unfortunate enough to own a car with a marking saying how many lumens your lights produce, you can fit HIDs with no mot worries.

Good to know nice one.

Bugger..

Although I’ve got my hids back in (reflectors & h7R) they don’t scatter and the beam is crisp think I've only been flashed once or twice then they were left pointing up slightly (fitting cilovers and adjusting lights), not a problem with a flick of the switch

last night a saxo came behind me up the dual carriage way, Blue lights BLINDING! had to flick my centre mirror and ignore my driver mirror as he went past couldn’t believe how bright they where.

I've seen plenty of cars with HIDS + Reflectors , Some are fine , some dazzle a bit like when your at a bad angle to someone with projectors (a bend for example) , then the full on scatter with the headlight acting like a stadium flood light

I agree that relaxing the rules is kind of good however.... Some people take the piss there’s the "I don’t give a fuck attitude" and then there’s trying to get them working well without dazzling people.

Would love to say leave it down to the Discretion of the police and tester although then it will always be made an excuse to pull someone

Edited 25 January, 201313 yr by mpsheen

Volvo's getting some HID's then :) it also has headlamp wash and wipe

Whether they're legal or not, it doesn't stop them looking toss in reflector headlights IMHO.

HIDs in projector lamps look fine, but a blob of blue light on the front of an old car really doesn't suit it.

Each to their own, I guess. But I do a lot of motorway miles, and I hate it when you get some prat with reflector-lamped HIDs stuck in traffic behind you for ages burning the inside of your eyeball out.

Whether they're legal or not, it doesn't stop them looking toss in reflector headlights IMHO.

HIDs in projector lamps look fine, but a blob of blue light on the front of an old car really doesn't suit it.

Each to their own, I guess. But I do a lot of motorway miles, and I hate it when you get some prat with reflector-lamped HIDs stuck in traffic behind you for ages burning the inside of your eyeball out.

Normally its Honda Civics or Focus "ST" lookalikes.

Masses of Saxos, too. And last week it was a Mk4 Golf on the M4 near Bristol. All the way through the bastard roadworks. It's the one pair of headlights the massive rear spoiler on my Civic long termer doesn't block out.