which would be cheaper buying new lights or hiring pathfinder for the day lol

Yeah, is that the same as which is cheaper, hiring a pathfinder or buying an updated Navigation DVD?

S

i think he's leading towards it being cheaper to hire the Pathfinder and to then raid it for bits swapping them with the Navara's ( i of course don;t condone this!)

 

which would be cheaper buying new lights or hiring pathfinder for the day lol

Yeah, is that the same as which is cheaper, hiring a pathfinder or buying an updated Navigation DVD?

S

 

Pathfinder lights that are Xenons have the word Xenon stamped on the top of the casing, visible once the bonnet is up.

I had a loan Pathfinder Aventura couple of weeks back after a warranty claim.

Steve

 

untill plod finnaly realise theres a fine to be isued then theyll hunt you down with vigour ignoring the rapist and murder stood next to there most wanted poster

mm yep its a sorry ole world we live in,


Mine has the Pathfinerd lights fitted, cant you tell the difference ?

 

The first line of the DOTs press statement says it all

"In the Department's view.............."

Well, in my view I think that they are OK, lol

If it was such a big issue then they would be closing down all those people selling them on ebay/web/shops etc.

Like I say, the worse that would happen is the MOT failure or a slap on the wrist.

There are that many cars driving round that are obviously illegal to a layman that dont seem to be stopped and prosecuted for things like:
Illegal tints,
Those annoying bright blue lights on the washer jets etc,
Oversize (too wide for the arches) tyres,
Spotlights on HGV's on the roof,
Stupid fonts on number plates.

If plod/DOT arnt chasing things like that when its obvious they aint likely to be chasing people for fitting HIDS in cars that it would require a good knowledge of a cars line up/model specification to identify if HIDS are OEM or aftermarket.

OK, HIDS in a 1992 Austin Metro might draw attention cos the age of the vehicle means that HIDS could not of been fitted OEM.

Just be sensible and make sure you use the leveler (mine is set to 1)

I took the HIDS out for a while when I first read the DOT web site as I had been flashed a couple of times. I was still been flashed with halogens in so thought sod it and the HIDS went back in. I have maybe been flashed twice in 6 months, both occasions I was just over the brow of a hill so the lamps would of been higher than usual.

Steve

 

No, the DOT website clearly states that any aftermarket HIDs must be self-levelling, not just OEM ones.
However, I'm happy to go with them as you all seem to get away with it. Besides, the MOT is 3 years away still!

 

Hi
I have noticed the number of post on here about the HID conversions, but no-one has mentioned that they are illegal. Normally most forum members (on other forums, that is) go out of their way to discourage any illegal activity. I'm not for a minute trying to stop it, just wondering why it's not even mentioned or am i missing something?
The Department of Transport state that it is illegal to convert a halogen headlamp to Xenons, if you want to convert you need a specially made lens and reflectors etc. Also they must be self levelling unless the suspension of the car is self levelling.
Would any of this get noticed at MOT time or do you guys just convert back to Halogens for your yearly chek-up? I'm only asking because my current car has Xenons and I have just ordered a Nav and am dreading going back to dim yellow Halogens.

I think that everything is too "vague" for a prosecution, at very most they will fail an MOT.

For instance, you mention that they need self leveling suspension.... that only applies to Xenons fitted to new cars as OEM, not aftermarket kits. It seems to be other regs that make there use somewhat dubious.

I have HIDS in the navara, in honesty absolutly no difference in beam pattern to that of the Pathfinder I had as a loan car last week with factory HIDS.

Steve

 

December 2006

Aftermarket HID headlamps


In the Department's view 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.

The following is the legal rationale:

The Road Vehicle Lighting Regulations 1989 regulate the situation in the UK.
Under these Regulations, HID/Gas Discharge/Xenon headlamps are not mentioned and therefore they are not permitted according to the strict letter of the law.

However new vehicles have HID headlamps. This is because they comply to European type approval Regulations. The UK cannot refuse to register a vehicle with a European type approval. These are to ECE Regulation 98 (for the HID headlamps which are tested on a rig in a laboratory) and ECE Regulation 48 (Lighting Installation on the vehicle).

For the after market, a used vehicle cannot obtain type approval because it is only applicable for new vehicles. However we feel that saying "HID is banned in the after market" would not be reasonable. Instead we should make analogies with new vehicles. It would be reasonable to require HID in the after market to meet the same safety standards as on new vehicles. The same level of safety should apply.

Therefore a HID headlamp unit sold in the after market should:

1. be type approved to ECE Regulation 98 as a component.

2. when fitted to the vehicle should enable ECE Regulation 48 to be complied with (although no government inspection will take place).

3. Comply with RVLR as far as "use" is concerned.
In practice this means:

1. The headlamp unit (outer lens, reflector, bulb) shall be type approved to ECE 98 and be "e-marked" to demonstrate this. That can only be done by the headlamp supplier - Hella, Valeo etc. who must test the headlamp in an independent laboratory.

2. Once fitted to the vehicle it must have headlamp cleaning and self-levelling (which can be for the headlamp or can be in the vehicle suspension - some expensive estate cars have "self-levelling suspension" and that is adequate). Also the dipped beam must stay on with the main beam.

3. The headlamp must be maintained in good working order, kept clean, and aligned/adjusted correctly like any other headlamp.

Under the Road Traffic Act 1988 it is an offence to supply, fit or use vehicle parts which are not legal.

In summary it is not permitted to convert an existing halogen headlamp unit for use with HID bulbs. The entire headlamp unit must be replaced with one designed and approved for use with HID bulbs and it must be installed in accordance with the rules stated above.


If you require any further information regarding the regulations covered by this fact sheet, please contact the DfT at the address below:

Transport Technology and Standards 6
Department for Transport
Zone 2/04
Great Minster House
76 Marsham Street Telephone: 020 7944 2078
London Fax: 020 7944 2196
SW1P 4DR Email: TTS.enquiries@dft.gsi.gov.uk





However - if I fitted them, it would be fine (I have self levelling air suspension, and washers). I dont know of anyone being prosecuted...