LED Bulb Replacement Problem

[mitchelln]

Thanks for the info. Have you successfully found any LEDs that survive in the dashboard console?

A point to note on LED or HID headlights. They are only legal if the vehicle is fitted with a self levelling system.
It's a specific check on the MOT. Any tester worth their salt will know Bongos don't have one.

[humming]

I haven't tried to do the dashboard lights yet, but based on what you have found I don't think I'll bother now.

I thought the MOT must have exceptions for the factory fitted HID lights on imports as Tili (our Bongo) passed the MOT without any light issues. Tili only has manual levelling, and doesn’t have headlamp washers, then I found this;

“Vehicles equipped with High Intensity Discharge (HID) or LED dipped beam headlamps may be fitted with headlamp washers and a suspension or headlamp self levelling system”

The big thing here is that it states “MAY be fitted with”. This was extracted from;

Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency
The MOT Inspection Manual
Private Passenger and Light Commercial VehicleTesting

I thought the self-levelling and washers were mandatory, with exceptions for imports. I’ve learnt something new today.

[mitchelln]

It's very badly worded isn't it.

It goes on to say "Where HID or LED dipped beam headlamps are fitted, switch on the headlamps and check the operation of any headlamp levelling and cleaning devices fitted" and a reason for failure of "A headlamp levelling or cleaning device inoperative or otherwise obviously defective",

So does this mean LED and HIDs must have it, or only if it's fitted?? Typical government document...

This is an interesting piece of information:
https://www.motoringassist.com/motoring ... r-legally/

[humming]

I think the the whole thing revolves about whether or not the suspension/cleaning devices are fitted.

In other words if they are fitted, they must work. If they are not fitted it doesn't matter.

There doesn't seem to be a statement that these items must be fitted, just that they may be fitted.

As you say ...... typical govenment document.

[Bob]

But how would the lawyers survive without wording like this?

[mitchelln]

I find the information on the Motoring Assist website more worrying and it echoes what I'd heard from other sources. Namely, if you are involved in an accident and have been found to have modified the lighting on your vehicle, then you may be in hot water. Also, your insurance company may void your cover if you have been deemed to have messed with your vehicles type approval.

Imports must turn this a further shade of grey.

[humming]

I am aware of the grey area of using LED bulbs to replace incandescent bulbs, but I think the brighter light and instantaneous on/off of brake lights and indicators is an improvement that can’t be overlooked.

When I first fitted the LED bulbs I was worried that they may have been too bright, but I have checked the brightness of my LED bulbs against my Kuga, which has factory fitted LED lights, and I would say that the LED bulbs I have used on the Bongo are not any brighter.

I believe the real problem that insurance companies have is the light modifications, is with the boy racers who modify their headlights from halogen to HID and LED, using non type approved lights and the correct alignment checks causing other motorists to be dazzled.

As you say imports can make this a very grey area, especially if you say the modifications were done before the vehicle was imported.

[TheLongRoad]

....... the brighter light and instantaneous on/off of brake lights and indicators is an improvement that can’t be overlooked.

Ok, I understand where you are coming from with the 'being seen' bit when stopping. However, I do find the really bright brake lights a pain when the automatic stopped in front of me at the traffic lights can't be bothered using the hand brake.

[g8dhe]

One of the problems with changing the type of light used in a vehicle is that the reflectors and covers are designed for the specific bulb type (position), fit a different style and the reflector and covers won't work in the same way as the focal position of the light will have changed - this is most obvious with headlights, the intensity and actual coverage may not change significantly but the light distribution within the coverage area can be way different!