HID converstion kit from ECP offer

[GBR134]

I can't comment on the legality but I fitted HID conversion to my last car (vw passat) without the conversion it was lethal & with the conversion I could actually see where I was going. I never got flashed and had 3 MOTs from different stations with never a comment. It seems to me all the legality quotes relate back to a 2006 dft 'opinion' which never seems to have been followed up in any meaningful way. My personal experience is my ability to drive at night was transformed and no one ever brought any problem to my attention. It doesn't seem like the crime of the century to me.

 

[whitenemesis]

Until one gets dazzled, time and time again...

Light units designed for halogens are not type approved for xenons and so the vehicle so modified becomes illegal to use on the public highway.

How many vehicles with HiD conversions also have auto levelling and washers?

Read the small print on any website selling these kits and you will see the disclaimer and advising they are sold for off road use only....

 

[Deleted member 6183]

Until one gets dazzled, time and time again...

Light units designed for halogens are not type approved for xenons and so the vehicle so modified becomes illegal to use on the public highway.

How many vehicles with HiD conversions also have auto levelling and washers?

Read the small print on any website selling these kits and you will see the disclaimer and advising they are sold for off road use only....

Out of interest, what difference does it make to have self-levelling and washers?

Levelling I get I suppose but not sure why halogens wouldn't benefit from it too.

Washers? Not so sure.

BTW - Never fitted HiDs to any of my cars that weren't specced with them.

 

[bob6600]

Out of interest, what difference does it make to have self-levelling and washers?

Levelling I get I suppose but not sure why halogens wouldn't benefit from it too.

Washers? Not so sure.

BTW - Never fitted HiDs to any of my cars that weren't specced with them.

If I'm correct, it's because of the intensity of the light. A clean headlamp will keep the beam pointing where it should do. A dirty unit will/could reflect the beam dangerously and dazzle.

I'm sure someone will confirm this

 

[boxbrownie]

I'm sure someone will confirm this

Oh, don't worry they will..........

 

[robthebubble]

I believe you don't need self levellers of washers fitted when you have HIDs (although I only got HIDs to headlights I convert by adding bixenon projectors into the reflector bowels). If you have the washers and levellers in the car they must work (a bit like having the spare tyre...if it's there it must be suitable, if it's not there they won't test it but it's not a failed MOT).
In case you didn't know, there are HIDs which have part of the bulb covered in a black shield to reduce the glare of Corsa HIDs!

 

[whitenemesis]

Doesn't get away from the type approval thing though.

 

[Spinal]

Old thread.

This applies to motorcycles, but this makes for an interesting read:
HID conversion kits invalidate motorcycle insurance | the-zebra.com

Ian Pritchard, who heads up motorbike insurance at Groupama, which reckons it is the biggest bike insurer in the UK, said: “The short answer is that HID conversions are not road legal and therefore from an insurer point of view whenever a vehicle has be altered in an ‘illegal’ way the owner runs the risk of seeing all or part (depending on circumstances) of his claim not being paid. I would give the same response were someone to ask me about slick tyres.”

The DfT rules state: “It is not legal to sell or use after market HID lighting kits, for converting conventional Halogen headlamps to HID Xenon. If a customer wants to convert his vehicle to Xenon HID he must purchase completely new Xenon HID headlamps.

“The reason for this is that the existing lens and reflector are designed around a Halogen filament bulb, working to very precise tolerances. If one places a HID “burner” (bulb) in the headlamp, the beam pattern will not be correct, there will be glare in some places and not enough light in other places within the beam pattern.”

M.

 

[Spinal]

Six cars and only one bum......now that is extravagant!! lol

Old thread, my apologies for not replying sooner!

I like my cars (and bikes), and at any one time have between 6 and 12 cars on my driveway.

I also help organize charity events (e.g. White Hat Rally: Home) and participate in endurance banger rallies (e.g. the mongol rally in my signature, or Team Book Two - done in a W202).

So I really do need a fair few cars

M.