After market HIDs MOT Qs

[TheGazWaz]

Good morning all,

I bought my K3 GSXR1000 around January this year(2018). It came from a large dealer with 12 months MOT and a HID kit already fitted presumably from the previous owner.

Today, a biker friend of mine pointed out that I may have trouble on the next MOT with the HID headlight as there is a new MOT law that states somewhere that HID lights are only legal if they're factory fitted.

I'm struggling to find anything positive on google about this and wondered if anyone on here has had any issues or knows the ins and outs.

I like the brightness of the HID on my bike. I've never had people flash me due to being too bright and quite frankly, I believe it gets me seen by other drivers easier.

Your comments are appreciated.

Gaz
____________________
Went like this.. 43 years old(2013) decided to do CBT to get a 125 for new job. Bought 2011 YBR, loved it for three months then hated it because it was too god damn slow. Did DAS 4 months later then bought RF600 Loved it, sold it bought Bandit 1200(K3). EFFIN lOVED IT. Wanted something a bit more sporty so got Triumph Sprint ST 955i (53). Not sporty enough so now on my GSXR 1000 K3 and absolutely love it. 1 year down the line, nearly died way too many times on this bike. Sold it. Had a 6 month break. Missed biking so now, Aug 2019 have a 1999 ZX9r. What a beauty she is too.

[Pete.]

Your friend is right, strictly speaking. To be legal HID lights need washers and self-levelling AFAIK. There may be other stipulations too. Many people also fit the wrong type of HID bulb for the type of light they have too which is what causes the beam to be unfocused and everybody around them unable to see properly.

Bottom line is yes, they almost certainly should fail the mot.
____________________
a.k.a 'Geri'

132.9mph off and walked away. Gear is good, gear is good, gear is very very good

[Monkeywrenche...]

Here's the new edition manual..

https://www.mot-testing.service.gov.uk/documents/manuals/class12/

No HID lamps fitted to regalar headlamp units (found it ninja edit)

Same for Cars, factory only.

for cars the self leveling thing is that if it has self leveling then it must be functional, but it doesn't have to be fitted. The washer requirement is after sept 2009 "Fitted" washers must work On HID lamps.

https://www.mot-testing.service.gov.uk/documents/manuals/class3457/Section-4-Lamps-reflectors-and-electrical-equipment.html#section_4.1
____________________
2001 Aprilia RSV Mille R -dead, 2016 XSR 700-gone, 2018 Dorsoduro 900

[Evil Hans]

Incompatible lamp and light-source is now a "Major" i.e. a fail.

[MCN]

Another issue is where the beam is focused.

'Normal' lamps (bulbs) are focused by the reflector to prevent glare. (Extraneous light) affecting other road users.

If you fit a non-regular/standard lamp (bulb) it can affect the focus of the lamp assembly.

HID lamp assemblies have different focusing design.

I think MOT test checks beam angle High and Low. So ensure the light is aimed down the left on Dipped (low) or dead straight ahead (effectively) on High.
Therefore HID may not pass this part of the MOT test.

https://www.autotrader.com/car-news/please-stop-installing-aftermarket-hid-headlights-258582
____________________
Disclaimer: The comments above may be predicted text and not necessarily the opinion of MCN.

[kramdra]

Unnessasary, your bike should have good lights as standard, suggest you put it back. Will you be doing much winter night riding on country lanes?

[stinkwheel]

Thankfully, it looks like my new LED bulbs are ok as long as the beam pattern is good.
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[ADSrox0r]

Heh, as always it depends on how friendly you are with your MOT chap. I have HIDs on both the VFR and ZZR and just passed the other week.
____________________
Current bikes: '08 VFR 800 VTEC(yo) , '07 ZZR1400 Winter hack: '95 Aprilia 650 Pegaso Currently lusting after: RC30

[TheGazWaz]

[Jefr0]

I'm in the same boat as you. I have a 1991 Honda CBR 600 with HIDs fitted (last 8 years or so)

I'm going to try MOT as normal and see if they go through. If they fail, for me it's just a bulb change.

If it's not too much hassle for you to try and MOT, is it worth doing that rather than converting to normal bulb?
____________________
Rides: Honda XR 125 ('03) Honda CBR 600F ('91), Ducati 916 Biposto ('95)

[TheGazWaz]

[MCN]

[TheGazWaz]

That would be a we bit daft wouldn't it MCN?

I know the guy that owns the place quite well so he'll give me a professional honest answer. He does cars as well and has sorted mine out for a good few years I'd prefer to know sooner then I can get it sorted.

I actually don't take my bikes to him for MOT. There's a place called Firefox racing round the corner from my work so I generally drop it off there in the morning and pick it up in the afternoon. Convenience more than anything.
____________________
Went like this.. 43 years old(2013) decided to do CBT to get a 125 for new job. Bought 2011 YBR, loved it for three months then hated it because it was too god damn slow. Did DAS 4 months later then bought RF600 Loved it, sold it bought Bandit 1200(K3). EFFIN lOVED IT. Wanted something a bit more sporty so got Triumph Sprint ST 955i (53). Not sporty enough so now on my GSXR 1000 K3 and absolutely love it. 1 year down the line, nearly died way too many times on this bike. Sold it. Had a 6 month break. Missed biking so now, Aug 2019 have a 1999 ZX9r. What a beauty she is too.

[MCN]