Golf V GTI OEM Xenon Installation Completed

[08micsta]

TT. The car has factory fitted Xenon lights. Never have any washers ever jumped out and spraye the lights... The panels you speak of are there. But thats it. Piccie:



he he oops I mean:





Must I give a stealer a call and ask?

Mike

[Teutonic_Tamer]

99% of the time you can fit them to anything and you'll be fine but I understand why they don't want them fitted to any old car.

I disagree.  I would stick my neck on the line and state that 99% of the time, retro-fitting HIDs are illegal.  It is the exceedingly minor proportion who go to the trouble and hassle of actually fitting not only genuine OEM HID-specific headlamps, but also the washers and leveling systems too.

What I meant was 99% of the time you are unlikely to be rumbled.

Ahh, OK.  True.

MOT testers don't currently pick up on it

But they are supposed to.  VOSA issued instructions to all MoT testing stations about 2 years ago on this very specific area.  If testers choose to turn a "blind eye" - scuse the dreadful but appropriate pun, then that is their test station licence at risk.

It only takes a disgruntled car owner to shop someone when they have been on the receiveing end of a dodgy MoT from a 2nd hand car sale.  I've been there, done that, got the T-shirt, and the result was one loss of VOSA MoT testing licence (not just the MoT tester himself, but the entire garage had their licence revoked, and still don't have it back).  And I felt totally justified in my actions, becuase a car which had supposedly passed an MoT one day earlier had rear shocks which were pi$$ing oil, and front pads on the metal.  

and the fuzz are so rarely seen actually out stopping people you are unlikely to get pulled either.

Hmmmmm . . . you may be right, but it only takes one stop.  And there was a joint campain by VOSA and the Government DfT which instructed the fuzz to crack down on these.

A VOSA check point might be a nightmare but again if it's a recent car and not an 80's or 80's car I doubt they'd notice.

I can't agree there.  VOSA do actually employ some very technically proficient peeps, and they are generally extremely thorough in their inspections.  And add to that they usually work with the Police in attendence, if you do happend to get stopped, be prepared for having the book thrown at you.

The fact they are illegal I agree with completely.

OK, cool.  

[Teutonic_Tamer]

Mike, you have the two-piece trim in the front bumper.  Look at this gif to see what they look like then working


(Link to the full size image - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Headlampwasher.gif)

Try and get a trim tool, or credit card, and lift the trim upwards, and see if the actuall washer jet has been fitted.  It takes quite a bit of effort, as the return spring is quite strong, though.

But a trip to your stealer does seem in order, unless you have, or know someone with VAG-COM.

[08micsta]

Thanks TT. Can someone post a Uk front end for me please?

Mike

[Top Cat]

Funny you should mention that, this guy popped up Yesterday, i know there not the same but there is a bit of a discussion on the legality.


                           http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=95314.0

Can i just bump this thread back up anybody want to laugh there heads off.  ^^^ 

[Jkctr]

After market HIDs are not illegal as long as they pass the beam alignment test.

Sorry, but that is absolute bollox.

Washers are also not a legal requirement when fitted after it has left the factory. The washers are only required on cars that are built in factories (so standard xenons that come with the car)

Again, bollox.  Headlamp washers, and more importantly, automatic dynamic levelers are absolutely and categorically legally required.  It is both a UK and EU legal requirement.  Retro-fitting HIDs without the full OEM gubbins will invalidate the "Type Approval" for the car.  This will then invalidate your insurance (even if you do actually declare it as a mod), and will also lead to potential criminal prosecution for a breach under the "Construction and Use Regulations", and a breach of CUR is also a breach under the Road Traffic Act.

You cant fail an MOT for something you do not have to test, a good example is the spare tyre in some cars; if its bold just take it out before the test, if they cant check its bold they cant fail you!

A spare tyre is NOT a legal requirement - otherwise how come all these cars with "tyre mobility systems" (a bottle of slime and a mini compressor, instead of any kind of "spare wheel") can pass an MoT!

Correctly functioning headlamps which comply with the manufacturers Type Approval ARE a legal requirement, and a testable item.

I have aftermarket HIDs and it flew through the MOT last week. Its now passed in a Honda garage and my local garage.

Then you have just admitted to not only an illegal car, but also a dodgy MoT. 

Firstly, telling me im admitting to something illegal when an 80+ thread on street racing is only a few posts up is abit silly. My HIDs wont kill anyone, spinning out at 100mph while racing will.

Anyway, yes you are correct. My information was from a few threads which i searched for and didnt look at properly (they were dated 2007) so apologies for the false information, at the time this was theoretically correct due to loopholes (although i agree, illegal and so yes incorrect)

There is alot of loopholes currently surrounding aftermarket HIDs and even factory fit HIDs, as you say headlamp washers are a legal requirement; how is it then that the integra DC5 is legally imported to the country and they come with HIDs as standard with no headlamp washers (as does the JDM ep3) My lights are technically legal as they pass the beam scatter test, unfortunatly most MOT testers (also police) dont realise the actual legal requirement involving HIDs. Also without a complete list of cars that roll out the factory with xenons fitted with all the correct legal parts its impossible to do anything, how would a police officer or mot tester tell someone in a DC5 they cant drive their car with HIDs when it came as standard?

The fact is unless they stop places like hids4u and other similar sites/traders selling aftermarket HIDs and release every car that has been made with HIDs/xenons as standard (inc plate/vin number) its will be very hard to stop them being fitted to cars.

All i know is my car is much safer as i can see much better at night, and i have never had anyone flash me in the last year i have had them.

[Horney]

how would a police officer or mot tester tell someone in a DC5 they cant drive their car with HIDs when it came as standard?

The sam eway they can tell someone with an imported yank tank they can't drive on UK roads with flashing red indicators or a person with a jap import that they can't drve without a fog light. Imported cars have to pass a test to be registered in this country. I suspect the HID's are let through due to them not bein gin the current test for imported cars but I don't know the rules on that. I do know that flashing red indicators on yanks and no fog light on jap is a fail.

Nick

[Teutonic_Tamer]

Thanks TT. Can someone post a Uk front end for me please?

UK front ends look exactly the same as what you have posted! 

Does your car have a "Type Approval" sticker?  Normally it is black with white lettering, and is found on the bottom of the "B" pillar when both doors are open.  If you find it, look to see if it shows the EU approval number.

[08micsta]

Sorry... My head is a little zoned at the moment. 

I remember there being a sticker of sorts but the car is 50km away at the moment so wont be looking too soon. Will call VW Tomorrow and ask them.

Mike

[182_blue]

Try and get a trim tool, or credit card, and lift the trim upwards, and see if the actuall washer jet has been fitted.  It takes quite a bit of effort, as the return spring is quite strong, though.

But a trip to your stealer does seem in order, unless you have, or know someone with VAG-COM.

TT can i ask a question, is it ok just to pull the head out ?, will it damage anything (just for future reference)