Xenons in UK: not very popular?

[Gene Hunt.]

They do look good & ''yes'' should be standard kit on a GTI.

[mac7]

^^^ if its not an MOT failure, then the Police CANNOT place a prosecution.

Your last statement cannot be a correct.

If the Police say its illegal, and all MOT stations say its totally legal.

Not my intention to argue with you but my statement is correct. The MOT is not necessarily the deciding factor in legality of a vehicle. If you contravene construction and use regs, your car is illegal. A good example is the current trend on older Golfs to have wide wheels where the rim protrudes from the arch and tyres which are really too narrow are stretched out to give clearance. As long as the wheel/tyre and arch don't make contact and the tread is under the arch - MOT pass. Then Mr Policeman pulls then up and gives them a ticket under section X of the road traffic act. There's been plenty of cases talked about over on Edition 38.

Quote from the road traffic act: http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts1988/ukpga_19880052_en_4

42 Offence where regulations are contravened, etc
    (1) Subject to subsection (2) below and sections 43 and 44 of this Act, a person who—
    (a) contravenes or fails to comply with any regulations under section 41 of this Act, or
    (b) uses on a road a motor vehicle or trailer which does not comply with any such regulations or causes or permits a vehicle to be so used,
         is guilty of an offence.

[Saint Steve]

^^^ if its not an MOT failure, then the Police CANNOT place a prosecution.

Your last statement cannot be a correct.

If the Police say its illegal, and all MOT stations say its totally legal.

Not my intention to argue with you but my statement is correct. The MOT is not necessarily the deciding factor in legality of a vehicle. If you contravene construction and use regs, your car is illegal. A good example is the current trend on older Golfs to have wide wheels where the rim protrudes from the arch and tyres which are really too narrow are stretched out to give clearance. As long as the wheel/tyre and arch don't make contact and the tread is under the arch - MOT pass. Then Mr Policeman pulls then up and gives them a ticket under section X of the road traffic act. There's been plenty of cases talked about over on Edition 38.

Quote from the road traffic act: http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts1988/ukpga_19880052_en_4

42 Offence where regulations are contravened, etc
    (1) Subject to subsection (2) below and sections 43 and 44 of this Act, a person who—
    (a) contravenes or fails to comply with any regulations under section 41 of this Act, or
    (b) uses on a road a motor vehicle or trailer which does not comply with any such regulations or causes or permits a vehicle to be so used,
         is guilty of an offence.

Thats all well and good, but i fail to see where it states that xenons need headlamp washers or they are illegal ??That is what this is all about and not anything else which is in General terms.

[Captain Sensible]

Very pleased with the performance of the xenon's and like the way the turn with the steering wheel going round tight bends. Going up a hill the point down while going down a hill they point up which all adds up to safety. Having used them for the first time I would always order them now. However when it comes to safety anything relating to it should come as standard and that equates to a dearer car.

[am1w]

Wish I had specced them. Too late now.
Can still be purchased with Auto levelling for 1018 Euros. (German eBay 799 Euros for Xenons, KUFATEC 219 Euros Self levellers for ACC cars).
Then there is labour and all the wiring! Will get expensive.
Will probably end up paying total 1400 Euros approx.

[mac7]

Thats all well and good, but i fail to see where it states that xenons need headlamp washers or they are illegal ??

Here http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/roadsafety/drs/hidheadlamps

[p3eps]

To be legal in the UK, xenons require an auto leveling sensor and headlight washers.

Wrong....

Here http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/roadsafety/drs/hidheadlamps

A quote from the above site:
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.


Apology accepted 

[Saint Steve]

Still not an MOT failure. So im correct on my 1st statement 

and  mine are not a part conversion to HID.Ie i havent mixed lenses with Aftermarket bulbs etc which would alter beam pattern. Mine all full VW Xenon headlamps.


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



In summary it is not permitted to convert an existing halogen headlamp unit for use with HID bulbs. The entire headlamp unit must be replaced with one designed and approved for use with HID bulbs and it must be installed in accordance with the rules stated above.

Its asking you not to mix/ match stuff together in other words.

Not an MOT failure whatever you say Peeps

[p3eps]

Still not an MOT failure. So im correct on my 1st statement 

Not an MOT failure whatever you say Peeps

My statement never said they were an MOT failure though - it simply said to be LEGAL they must have a level sensor and headlight washers... which is true according to that website!

[am1w]

So after reading all the posts the conclusion is that we would all love to spec Xenons if they were not so overpriced and those who have not done so are being sensible with their money.
About right, what, what!