Hids on Mk6 do fit? ***Yes They Do!

[mike.]

I think those rules were made up by someone and have been doing the rounds on the forums.

This is what was actually said in the October report this year.

Other items – such as headlamp bulb and unit incompatibility, headlamp levelling devices and illegal engine ‘chipping’ – will need further thought before we can get a workable solution for MOT stations.

[Wayne]

I think those rules were made up by someone and have been doing the rounds on the forums.

This is what was actually said in the October report this year.

Other items – such as headlamp bulb and unit incompatibility, headlamp levelling devices and illegal engine ‘chipping’ – will need further thought before we can get a workable solution for MOT stations.

That maybe the case, however HID's are illegal and are not clever.

[JulesS3]

I think those rules were made up by someone and have been doing the rounds on the forums.

This is what was actually said in the October report this year.

Other items – such as headlamp bulb and unit incompatibility, headlamp levelling devices and illegal engine ‘chipping’ – will need further thought before we can get a workable solution for MOT stations.

Another site emailed them and replied it will be included, just not sure how in depth yet. They also agreed all the above mentioned will be looked at being included.

So not made up at all

[mike.]

I think I would believe the report as opposed to some here-say on a forum.

Maybe the person who emailed them could include the email details.. 

[SteveP]

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

[mike.]

I remember reading that before, interesting that it was written in 2006 yet neither the MOT centres or the police do anything to enforce it. 

[JulesS3]

Thank you for your email enquiry dated 11th November 2010, concerning MOT updates.
There are indeed a raft of changes to the MOT test bought about a revised European Directive.
VOSA and the Department for Transport are still working on the changes and how they will be implemented, so it is not possible to state exactly what the changes will be at this time.
I can confirm that the items listed are all in the Directive, but that does not categorically mean that they will become testable items in 2011.
There will be a press release once the changes are finalised.
I hope this information has assisted you with your enquiry, but if you have any further questions please do not hesitate to contact us again.

Kind Regards

[VOSA]
VOSA Contact Centre
Operations Directorate
Tel: 0300 123 9000

[JulesS3]

I remember reading that before, interesting that it was written in 2006 yet neither the MOT centres or the police do anything to enforce it. 

Although they can if they choose to. You are also driving with void insurance as you have an illegal mod. If you crash the insurance company could walk away.

[Snoopy]

I bet VOSA with there roadside checks will enforce it. I have seen them go over nearly new cars with a toothcomb as they know the common failures. Fabias, polos, ibizas use to have problems with CV boots when less than 3 years old and VOSA often waved them in to there roadside check points.

[mac7]

I don't like aftermarket HID's either and it is about time they did something to regulate their use, but there is a straightforward reason why people do not get fined for using them.

For something to become 'illegal' there has to be an act of parliament or a legal precedent set - neither of which has happened yet with respect to aftermarket HID's. Therefore, they are not illegal.

If you read the Dft fact sheet carefully, you'll note that nowhere does it actually state that aftermarket HID's are illegal, only that it is "the Departments view" that they are illegal and "Under the Road Traffic Act 1988 it is an offence to supply, fit or use vehicle parts which are not legal".

All the talk about ECE regulations only applies to type approval of new vehicles for sale in the UK/Europe, so doesn't apply to used/privately owned vehicles. It also says that HID's are not even mentioned in the UK lighting regulations, so by definition they are not regulated. Until they are, they can't really tell you what you can and can't do with them.

The only part which does suggest you shouldn't use them is "In summary it is not permitted to convert an existing halogen headlamp unit for use with HID bulbs." However this again represents a view, rather than a law or legal precedent.

As for the MOT, it's not concerned with legality but with vehicle condition and safety, so does not consider things like the bulb design but looks only at the resultant function, i.e. beam pattern. Provided the beam pattern is okay and you have two of them mounted symmetrically, you could have nuclear reactors for light sources and you'd get a pass.