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shaun.mobile

Member Since: 12 Dec 2011
Location: England
Posts: 156

2011 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Fuji White

Headlights

As much as I would like some Speakers or Noldens my budget will not stretch anywhere near that far. Has anyone had any experience of the cheap led headlights on ebay? These are the cheapest I have seen https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2X-7-LED-Headli...rk:30:pf:0

I appreciate that they are not going to be the same quality as the Speakers or Noldens however, it is nearly Christmas, I am self employed and just about to have a hip replacement, my MOT is imminent and I have a rusty headlight bowl.

18th Nov 2018 9:39am

BenB8man

Member Since: 22 Mar 2017
Location: Norfolk
Posts: 429

2010 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 DCPU Stornoway Grey

There'll be plenty of opinions on here about the cheap ones. Almost certainly illegal and if your MOT tester is thorough then it'll be a fail.

I've personally tried some with similar design to those, although about £170 and they lasted a few months before condensation took over, they shorted out inside and started to flicker full beams randomly at oncoming cars.

I'd stick with halogens if your budget won't stretch.

I've since swapped for better crystal bowls, nightbreaker bulbs and an upgraded loom. Much better

If you do a search there is plenty of similar questions though.

18th Nov 2018 9:46am

Clive

Member Since: 21 Mar 2014
Location: Littleborough
Posts: 467

2004 Defender 90 Td5 X-Tech LE Zambezi Silver

As above, forget the cheap LED's, you'll end up paying twice.

Wipac Crystal lamps, nightbreaker bulbs and a Boomslang loom (or similar) will give you all the light you need - reliably

18th Nov 2018 10:39am

300TDi CSW Phil

Member Since: 03 Apr 2016
Location: Bracknell
Posts: 750

1995 Defender 110 300 Tdi CSW Epsom Green

For legal LED headlights cheaper than Noldens etc have a look at the new Truck Lites that 4x4 Overlander (Brendan) are stocking. They may be more than ebay ones but Brendan will not sell illegal lighting so you won't have a problem come MOT (or any other time someone may take an interest).

I have the original Truck Lite's and they would be replaced in a heart beat if required. 1995 300 Tdi Epsom Green - It's a keeper.
Wide Track Sankey- In bits- Gone to a new home
M0XQS

18th Nov 2018 10:51am

leeds

Member Since: 28 Dec 2009
Location: West Yorkshire
Posts: 8582

Cheap unbranded LED headlights are normally illegal, those are illegal.

Have a look at the photograph of the connectors, not best practice!

No mention that in the UK only allowed one indicator per side at front of vehicle.

Delivery sometime between 3rd December and 4th January. Also run the risk of being charged VAT and handling charges when goods arrive in UK.

MOT imminent how about seeing if someone has a set of take off original Wipac headlights on a garage shelf when they have upgraded. Wipac crystal headlights are sub £40. Updated bulbs are around £20 mark but the anticipated life span is less then standard bulbs. Wipac headlights are approved and fully road legal in the UK as they are OEM.

Brendan

18th Nov 2018 10:54am

Co1

Member Since: 19 Aug 2018
Location: North Yorkshire
Posts: 3681

To Brendan’s point, check these out.

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=ht...3004829026

Should add that they are nothing to do with me.

18th Nov 2018 1:36pm

leeds

Member Since: 28 Dec 2009
Location: West Yorkshire
Posts: 8582

Well Co1 ebay spot is £35 + £10 delivery for take off Wipac

Brand new Wipac including standard 55/60 watt bulbs £34 + £8 delivery here

Brendan

18th Nov 2018 3:39pm

Co1

Member Since: 19 Aug 2018
Location: North Yorkshire
Posts: 3681

Not exactly an eBay bargain then!

18th Nov 2018 4:54pm

leeds

Member Since: 28 Dec 2009
Location: West Yorkshire
Posts: 8582

Well going OT, please remember eBay fees are typically 8-10% with PayPal fees of say 3% which are included in sale price.

eBay can be a good search engine to find out which trader is selling particular items then it is worth contacting the trader direct. Have done that and got a cheaper price straight off. Even if it is the same price at least the trader has made a better margin.

Brendan

18th Nov 2018 5:56pm

neon1991

Member Since: 26 Mar 2018
Location: Colchester
Posts: 75

2014 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Firenze Red

I bought a pair from "original Cafe racer" on ebay. they are the non halo type. they have been on a couple of months and seem to be working fine. they were around £100 if i remember rightly. I had a set of wipac crystal halogens that Ive kept if there is a problem at MOT time. they are E marked so we'll see how they go. the pattern is pretty good but I will say this... the Halogens were better in the fog. the LED's seemed to light up the fog a bit too much and i couldn't see much contract between fog and road. Visibility was down to about 4m though so it's not like I would have been clogging along with either lights fitted.

link below

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/7-inch-LED-head...:rk:2:pf:0

19th Nov 2018 9:39am

leeds

Member Since: 28 Dec 2009
Location: West Yorkshire
Posts: 8582

Neon1991, those lights might be 'E marked' but they are ILLEGAL in the UK as they do not carry an APPROVAL mark.

Vehicle Lighting Regulations require headlights to have an approval mark on them

An approval mark for a headlight consists of several components.

A country code which has done the approval which is E + number in a circle

The amendment or regulation number

The actual approval number 4-6 digits

The light function codes i.e.H/CR LED dip and main beam, RL for a DRL, 1/1a/1b for front indicator etc

Peak beam reference number

PL if plastic lens

Arrow for LHT unless running the flat British American light pattern.

Without that information then the light is not approved, not road legal and can have serious insurance implications.

Cheap, unbranded LED headlights are mainly illegal. They are cheap for a very good reason they are not approved for road use!

Brendan

19th Nov 2018 1:02pm

Badger110

Member Since: 06 Feb 2018
Location: South hams
Posts: 1039

2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Buckingham Blue

neon1991 wrote:
I bought a pair from "original Cafe racer" on ebay. they are the non halo type. they have been on a couple of months and seem to be working fine. they were around £100 if i remember rightly. I had a set of wipac crystal halogens that Ive kept if there is a problem at MOT time. they are E marked so we'll see how they go. the pattern is pretty good but I will say this... the Halogens were better in the fog. the LED's seemed to light up the fog a bit too much and i couldn't see much contract between fog and road. Visibility was down to about 4m though so it's not like I would have been clogging along with either lights fitted.

link below

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/7-inch-LED-head...:rk:2:pf:0

I’ve just had a neighbour fit these, not my bag but he’s happy with them.

19th Nov 2018 1:21pm

neon1991

Member Since: 26 Mar 2018
Location: Colchester
Posts: 75

leeds wrote:
Neon1991, those lights might be 'E marked' but they are ILLEGAL in the UK as they do not carry an APPROVAL mark.

Vehicle Lighting Regulations require headlights to have an approval mark on them

An approval mark for a headlight consists of several components.

A country code which has done the approval which is E + number in a circle

The amendment or regulation number

The actual approval number 4-6 digits

The light function codes i.e.H/CR LED dip and main beam, RL for a DRL, 1/1a/1b for front indicator etc

Peak beam reference number

PL if plastic lens

Arrow for LHT unless running the flat British American light pattern.

Without that information then the light is not approved, not road legal and can have serious insurance implications.

Cheap, unbranded LED headlights are mainly illegal. They are cheap for a very good reason they are not approved for road use!

Brendan

Blimey! REALLY!? oh... has anyone told Britpart this??? theyre selling the Lynx lamps saying they are "dot and e marked" with nothing printed on the lenses. no APPROVAL so must also be ILLEGAL

19th Nov 2018 3:04pm

neon1991

Member Since: 26 Mar 2018
Location: Colchester
Posts: 75

Badger110 wrote:
neon1991 wrote:
I bought a pair from "original Cafe racer" on ebay. they are the non halo type. they have been on a couple of months and seem to be working fine. they were around £100 if i remember rightly. I had a set of wipac crystal halogens that Ive kept if there is a problem at MOT time. they are E marked so we'll see how they go. the pattern is pretty good but I will say this... the Halogens were better in the fog. the LED's seemed to light up the fog a bit too much and i couldn't see much contract between fog and road. Visibility was down to about 4m though so it's not like I would have been clogging along with either lights fitted.

link below

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/7-inch-LED-head...:rk:2:pf:0

I’ve just had a neighbour fit these, not my bag but he’s happy with them.

yeah, I wasn't sure but quite like them once fitted

19th Nov 2018 3:07pm

gazman

Member Since: 17 Aug 2015
Location: Liverpool
Posts: 652

I'm on my 3rd year of a set from sp4x4. Had condensation after being taken off road which the last 2 yrs lasts most of the winter.

No problems from plod or at mot time.

Work miles better than std or halogen stuff in all weathers but fog as mentioned I'm not a fan of em in fog 2014 - current ..... 2003 defender td5 90 (my car)
2009 - current .... 2005 zx10r

19th Nov 2018 4:28pm

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