LED replacement bulbs

asallen · Post by **asallen** » Sat Mar 24, 2007 6:00 pm

I was looking to replace my rear bulbs with LED replacements.
Found several suppliers of these, but when I looked at Maplins website they state that they are for "off road or show use only".
Can anyone clarify the legal use as only Maplin seem to have a problem with these or are the only supplier being upfront and honest.
Could the next MOT be a problem?

Colin Lambert · Post by **Colin Lambert** » Sat Mar 24, 2007 6:20 pm

If they flash or are any colour than white at the front, red at the rear or orange for indicators then they would be illegal. Otherwise I cannot see why they should be illegal.
Unless anyone else knows differently.
I have LED side lights in the Saab.

francophile1947 · Post by **francophile1947** » Sat Mar 24, 2007 6:22 pm

The MOT manual only states that the lamps must be red, working and positioned correctly.
However, I suspect that Maplins are right, because there is a legal wattage limit for each car lamp. So, you may well pass the MOT but get nicked by the police.

David Edwards · Post by **David Edwards** » Sat Mar 24, 2007 6:49 pm

Some models of up market such as mercedes and bmw are using l e d 's in the rear light clusters, but front led's are illegal, as are much of the fancy blue bulbs that are for sale that is why the makers put the disclaimer on them. in the event of an accident they cannot be held responsible and.. if the insurers find them in a vehicle they will not honour the cover as an illegal item has been used in a feature of the vehicle which is governed by statute. Basically under the Road Traffic Act and construction and use ( Lighting Regulations) the only lights legally allowed are White light to the front and Red lights to the rear. Exceptions being yellow fog lamps and reversing lamps obviously. Any contravention is an offence and a moving traffic offence for which an officer can request a specimen of breath for a breath test. Oh I miss the happy days. Happy motoring.

trevd01 · Post by **trevd01** » Sat Mar 24, 2007 7:16 pm

My '06 Toyota has LED lights at the back, factory fit. I think many new cars have them now.

francophile1947 · Post by **francophile1947** » Sat Mar 24, 2007 9:08 pm

I think it may be that the Maplin ones are too bright for road use.

earhook · Post by **earhook** » Sun Mar 25, 2007 3:33 pm

Ive fitted my sidelights with some led bulbs. They look great,... not that pi**y yellow colour, and are just the job in the grey, misty mornings we get here in the lakes. They were marked 'not for road use' however. I think it is because of the wattage. The single led replacements are ok (apparently) but the 4 led ones exceed the wattage for an mot pass. Have trundled past the feds with the sidelights on loads of times and they dont seem in the slightest bit interested.

trevd01 · Post by **trevd01** » Sun Mar 25, 2007 6:03 pm

earhook wrote:They were marked 'not for road use' however. I think it is because of the wattage.

You can't compare the wattage of LED bulbs with normal bulbs, they have a tiny current consumption maybe 1/10th to 1/30th of normal bulbs. So the measurement of wattage is meaningless.

Maybe there is something in Construction and Use (can't find on t'net) about brightness of LEDs? My searches just finds lots of stuff on flashing LED bike lights.

asallen · Post by **asallen** » Sun Mar 25, 2007 8:54 pm

I think I'll try them.
As long as it does not look like the brake lights are on all the time (or fog lights are on) then plod might take an interest.
On the plus side they do last a lot longer than a bulb.
I'll even replace the headlamp bulbs with them and have a chance of seeing the road at night!

Colin Lambert · Post by **Colin Lambert** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 10:50 am

I don't think you will find anyone does headlight LED's. Although they are very bright if you look into them they do not project much of a beam and dipping would be rather difficult. May be wrong tho' . Interested if anyone finds any.

asallen · Post by **asallen** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 6:07 pm

Thank you Colin, I was going to say I was only joking.
But actually I was HALF joking maybe LEDS would be brighter than Bongo headlamps.
Much has been said on the subject of dim headlamps already. But why are they so bad? It must have as much to do with the reflector as H4 bulbs are fine in other cars!

bigdaddycain · Post by **bigdaddycain** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 6:52 pm

Hi assalen,
I,m assuming that the bulbs you seek are for the rear indicator units with clear lenses? I dont think you will see any benefit in fitting L.E.D.s for the rear running (red) lights, as they are already filtered through the red lens,they may even be dimmer

They will last longer though....

earhook · Post by **earhook** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 7:37 pm

trevd01.

You are quite right about the leds,.. apparently they use less than 1 watt each. Not sure where I got the ideas that it was 60,... maybe its as bright as 60 watt but dont hold me to it.

mikeonb4c · Post by **mikeonb4c** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 10:33 pm

Its weird this talk of lousy headlights cos mine are extremely good and I think they are just standard ones.

francophile1947 · Post by **francophile1947** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 10:55 pm

Same here Mike - they seem no worse than any other car I've had.