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Jabberwocky

Member Since: 27 Oct 2021
Location: Luxembourg
Posts: 222

Well this escalated quickly😳😳😳

25th Sep 2024 12:27am

Chicken Drumstick

Member Since: 17 Aug 2020
Location: Near MK
Posts: 716

custom90 wrote:
“ In the UK the MoT should fail on LED headlights without headlight washers and self levelling suspension.”.
This is not true, as by design they are no different to Halogen as long as they are approved beam pattern like Halogen.
E marking, means they are approved beam pattern for either.

Actually it is true according to the dot gov site. Although in fairness the advice has changed from when I last looked.

https://mattersoftesting.blog.gov.uk/custo...questions/

Click image to enlarge

25th Sep 2024 8:45am

Chicken Drumstick

Member Since: 17 Aug 2020
Location: Near MK
Posts: 716

julian wrote:
To follow up -

The lights in the photo are e marked and rhd.

I suspect they're the same as the rdx ones but I've not looked.

I spoke to an mot tester about this yesterday. He told me that -

Led bulbs in legacy reflectors were not applicable, but he also said that if the beam pattern was all correct etc then many testers would not pay attention to the colour of the light (ie would not "know" there was led fitted...)

He said that sealed, dedicated led units with the markings were fine.

No mention of washers and self leveling.

But...

If you think otherwise, that's absolutely fine. Id rather the discussion did not go off on some massive tangent with everyone trying to prove that they know the regs better than the last person who posted.

What's relevant to me (the OP of the thread) is what I've been told is acceptable by the chap testing my car. Which I've stated above.

So, back to the original question, please -

Has anyone use these headlights?

(Again, the question is not who knows the mot rules the best!)

Well your tester is wrong, plus an MoT is only a check at the time. It doesn't stop you getting pulled over a mile from the test station or questions being asked if you are involved in a road traffic incident.

25th Sep 2024 8:47am

Chicken Drumstick

Member Since: 17 Aug 2020
Location: Near MK
Posts: 716

julian wrote:
Loads of sellers selling the same part -

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/395618907906
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/387057371341
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/284341411134
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/133529796262

..etc

I mean, some factory in china has knocked a load out, and now theyre all over ebay etc

If lots of places are selling them as cheap generic lights. They almost certainly are not E marked or likely rhd. As it is simply easier and cheaper to "fix" the listing than make a unit for a relatively small rhd market.

And as said in my opening post. Most LED lights like this give a horrid blue tinted light, that not only causes more eye strain, but due to the poor colour rendition index, also makes greens and browns (the things you get in the countryside....) look grey and blend in together giving poor depth perception too.

If they are lhd lamps you will also dazlle and annoy all other road users.

25th Sep 2024 8:51am

Mo Murphy

Member Since: 01 Jun 2008
Location: Letchworth Garden City, Herts
Posts: 2223

1984 Defender 90 BMW M57 3.0 Diesel HT Auto Pennine Grey

I think it is very easy to look the other way and buy headlights that are not compliant simply because they are cheap and I get that, but, you have an accident, the other driver says he was dazzled, your headlights are checked and found to be non compliant with UK construction and use laws. Your fault for fitting illegal headlights says your insurance company as it walks away leaving the other drivers insurance company to sue the house from under you.
I think it might just be worth spending a bit more and buying known compliant lights and avoiding any chance of the above happening.
You could also ring your insurance company up and ask if you are still insured if you fit headlights that are not compliant with construction and use regulations.
Not what you want to hear but better to go in with your eyes open.
Mo The Land Rover 90 - Many are called, few are chosen.

50 Shades of Pennine Grey

25th Sep 2024 9:57am

julian

Member Since: 17 Feb 2017
Location: Devon
Posts: 99

1994 Defender 110 300 Tdi CSW Alpine White

There are whole sections of industry built up around discussing the intricacies of the law.

The fact that someone on some internet forum says one thing doesn't necessarily mean its true.

It may be, it may not be. Hence my statement -

julian wrote:

If you think otherwise, that's absolutely fine. Id rather the discussion did not go off on some massive tangent with everyone trying to prove that they know the regs better than the last person who posted.

...but, look, a whole thread with people pretending they know best.

Again, the irony of people who cant follow instruction, yet who constantly want to prove their intricate knowledge of instruction, never ceases to surprise me.

25th Sep 2024 10:29am

Chicken Drumstick

Member Since: 17 Aug 2020
Location: Near MK
Posts: 716

julian what really is your issue here? Just because people haven't given you the answer you wanted, hardly means the answers you got are wrong.

At the end of the day, if you don't want to hear other peoples opinions, don't post a question on a forum asking for opinions.....

25th Sep 2024 10:59am

julian

Member Since: 17 Feb 2017
Location: Devon
Posts: 99

julian wrote:

So, back to the original question, please -

Has anyone use these headlights?

(Again, the question is not who knows the mot rules the best!)

But, yes, our local arm chair solicitor / influencer stated -

blackwolf wrote:

It seems that the answer is no, no-one on the forum has fitted (or is prepared to admit that they've fitted) far eastern, cheap illegal headlights of this type.

which is rater akin to

"its my ball and....if i cant show you how much i think i know about the law, [irrespective of if im correct or not], ill just burn the thread"

But, at this point in time, sure, success - whoever would want to get involved now?

25th Sep 2024 11:35am

blackwolf

Member Since: 03 Nov 2009
Location: South West England
Posts: 17361

2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 DCPU Stornoway Grey

julian wrote:
...but, look, a whole thread with people pretending they know best.

That is an unjustified and thoroughly offensive remark. Don't expect to have questions answered or receive help in future.

A strength of this forum is that there is a wealth of experience and sound knowledge amongst people who give freely of their time to help others. The fact that you are not interested in a particular matter arising from your question doesn't give you any right to exclude it from the subsequent discussion, and you should bear in mind that in a public forum there may well be others who look at the thread later and do appreciate the totality of the response. Your attitude towards those who have tried to provide help, and you casual dismissal of the skills, qualifications and experience of people about whom you know absolutely nothing says far more about you than them.

25th Sep 2024 11:41am

julian

Member Since: 17 Feb 2017
Location: Devon
Posts: 99

Quote:
Don't expect to have questions answered or receive help in future.

I, politely, asked, many times for an adhesion to the question asked, even giving the (proven 100% accurate) reason -

Quote:
Id rather the discussion did not go off on some massive tangent with everyone trying to prove that they know the regs better than the last person who posted.

You spent so many posts above not answering my question, culminating in you actively trying to shame others into not answering the question either, so, im sure that even you will understand when i say -

I shall look forward to the future peace that you have promised me!

Thank you.

25th Sep 2024 12:20pm

AMBxx

Member Since: 24 Jul 2016
Location: York
Posts: 1030

2015 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Orkney Grey

I have very little knowledge, so often ask stupid questions on here.
If the consensus of opinion is that I'm being an idiot, it's probably correct...

25th Sep 2024 1:23pm

jim4244

Member Since: 13 Apr 2014
Location: Bedfordshire
Posts: 773

2007 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 CSW Zermatt Silver

Just be aware that many of the cheap LED headlights and bar lights interfere with radio reception and sometimes mobile phone signal.

I fit high quality LED headlight bulbs that have a nice crisp light pattern which matches the old halogen bulbs. MOT has never picked them up and they don’t dazzle other drivers. Relatively cheap at circa £80 per set and easily changed if the MOT tester takes exception..

Jim

25th Sep 2024 5:47pm

custom90

Member Since: 21 Jan 2010
Location: South West, England.
Posts: 20324

Jim -
You are correct there, cheaper LED’s scatter masses of EMI.
I know this, as cheaper LED light bars do create a lot, and even a very small audible whine via audio system, due to the EMF they give off. Performance is good, but the emf hustle isn’t so great.
Not much of an issue on main beam.
It doesn’t worry me as, main beam it only applies to, but if it was sidelight or dipped then it would be a lot more of a problem.
Mylar (foil) film and ferrite clips do help a hell of a lot though, especially shielding antenna cables.

The thing with headlights is they are Obligatory, so like tyres they have to conform, just the same as brakes, indicators and various other things as they are safety critical.

As they are safety critical I wouldn’t take risks with that.
_____________

I think the thread provides enough info for the OP to decide.

Advice is given by multiple members in pure goodwill, and in good faith, for good reason.
Often spending time from our own personal lives, so in good faith too.

Those that may wish to willingly ignore it, do so at their own peril, it’s a free world, still, just. ⭐️⭐️God Bless the USA 🇬🇧🇺🇸 ⭐️⭐️

Last edited by custom90 on 25th Sep 2024 9:36pm. Edited 1 time in total

25th Sep 2024 8:43pm

julian

Member Since: 17 Feb 2017
Location: Devon
Posts: 99

jim4244 wrote:
Just be aware that many of the cheap LED headlights and bar lights interfere with radio reception and sometimes mobile phone signal.

I fit high quality LED headlight bulbs that have a nice crisp light pattern which matches the old halogen bulbs. MOT has never picked them up and they don’t dazzle other drivers. Relatively cheap at circa £80 per set and easily changed if the MOT tester takes exception..

Jim

Re LED bulbs -

I have a friend who has them fitted to a lot of his vehicles, including his 110 and a couple of motorcycles, and has done for ages. Never any issues at MOT time.

I have another friend with a 90 in a different area, same bulbs, again, no issue at mot.

I tried the bulbs in mine, stock reflectors etc and the beam pattern is all over the place.

I don't know why mine is different from both of my friends, but it is. I know I could swap them in and out at mot time, but, believe it or not, id rather just have something safe regardless of what is possible, so had a chat with the MOT tester as to what was acceptable.

I don't know why mine give a poor beam pattern whilst my friends seem ok, but I figured I'd just get some sealed units.

25th Sep 2024 9:32pm

jim4244

Member Since: 13 Apr 2014
Location: Bedfordshire
Posts: 773

I use these and they are top notch

https://www.classiccarleds.co.uk/products/...sion-9-32v

Jim

26th Sep 2024 11:01am

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