LED Headlight bulbs

[briwy]

Just wondering if anyone has actually fitted these or similar. I'm so fed up with the crap 5.1 headlights, especially on dip, that for the cost I'm thinking of giving these a try. I have already fitted upgraded bulbs but they are still not much good imo.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/KATUR-H13-9008-Waterproof-Conversion/dp/B07Z557KPZ/ref=sr_1_4?crid=2S3IR9YGDYSYU&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.ezqIQ7RXqLb0N5h5sS_EKO_VgVrl-cgxq72VME-B9HJiLu7G0FgTcNp4dItuAc-I16DMt41RictEpFmJQXow_q8LbZ829Y6nB8ncwd6HrqhjlXnEMx-jYdoMLo8XiqxOtZ95lkD6CSXtBd2jRKGvqoW_odzFGIscg_w2lHRjothgt8ZIIc8uQNjP-Ufsi7H5B44YnXJVG24yRQ78uJS2MlTBG47XGFNza4SuPwHv9k4.nguqqQSjEKQXw9mTIFTVHS0dQM_ZwCt1w_FRE2QfLtU&dib_tag=se&keywords=h13%2Bled%2Bheadlight%2Bbulbs&qid=1762604086&sprefix=h13%2Bled%2Bheadlight%2Bbulbs%2Caps%2C119&sr=8-4&th=1

Yes I am aware that fitting LED bulbs is illegal however our van has air suspension that keeps a constant ride height so I am thinking that should stop any undue dazzle.

 

[stoobthealien]

You'd have to take them out for MOT also...

 

[Ch1pbutty]

Get the Phillips LED bulbs. They are great and our old T5.1 Joker went through its MOT with no issues with them fitted as they passed the beam test.

 

[sidepod]

My 4 has sailed through every post Brexit mot with HID converted halogen headlights which apparently is in contravention of the MOT law.

As long as the beam pattern passes I believe it’ll pass.

As stated, revert of stock for MOT.

 

[pchmlk]

Get the Phillips LED bulbs. They are great and our old T5.1 Joker went through its MOT with no issues with them fitted as they passed the beam test.View attachment 142164

Do they give a very white light or not too obvious?

 

[sidepod]

I think the MOT is a farce with regards to headlights.
I bought a Golf recently with Hid lights and a recent MOT.

First drive in the dark revealed the lights were set way too high.
Further investigation found a non OE front level sender unit.
Once that was replaced and the height reset with VCDS, all is fine.

How it passed I’ve no idea?

 

[Ch1pbutty]

Do they give a very white light or not too obvious?

They are whiter (same as more recent cars), so also worth changing your other bulbs to match. Don’t switch to led indicator bulbs though, they will ‘tick’ inside the van as double speed and display bulb error on the dash…but when you stand outside the van they work as normal!…

 

[briwy]

Thanks for the replies everyone. The bulbs have just turned up so getting ready to get my hands mutilated again fitting them. What a crap job it is, I'm almost tempted to take the bumper off and get the light units out.
Ch!pbutty. Did you get any canbus problems with those Phillips bulbs??

 

[Ch1pbutty]

Did you get any canbus problems with those Phillips bulbs??

No, all good.

 

[pchmlk]

They are whiter (same as more recent cars), so also worth changing your other bulbs to match. Don’t switch to led indicator bulbs though, they will ‘tick’ inside the van as double speed and display bulb error on the dash…but when you stand outside the van they work as normal!…

Thanks for this.

I've fitted the ones you linked to...work well, looking forward to seeing them in the dark later. Minor irritation is that they trigger a bulb warning sign on the dash which Carista doesn't seem to be able to sort...

I'm now considering changing the other bulbs too - any ideas which ones you went for?

 

[pchmlk]

Thanks for the replies everyone. The bulbs have just turned up so getting ready to get my hands mutilated again fitting them. What a crap job it is, I'm almost tempted to take the bumper off and get the light units out.
Ch!pbutty. Did you get any canbus problems with those Phillips bulbs??

Not sure if you've tried it yet - it's literally a 2 min job to do both.

I have got a warning sign on the dash though, have you?

 

[Ch1pbutty]

Thanks for this.

I've fitted the ones you linked to...work well, looking forward to seeing them in the dark later. Minor irritation is that they trigger a bulb warning sign on the dash which Carista doesn't seem to be able to sort...

I'm now considering changing the other bulbs too - any ideas which ones you went for?

We didn’t get a bulb error on our 2015 Club Joker…(error only for the indicators..so sent the bulbs back for a refund, might might have been ok if we had switched rear bulbs as well, but never tried).

Other ‘normal’ headlight bulbs were switched for below to get matching colour. One image shows orange, but there is a drop down box on Amazon to select bulb colour.

 

[pchmlk]

Thanks

 

[B J G]

Thanks for this.

I've fitted the ones you linked to...work well, looking forward to seeing them in the dark later. Minor irritation is that they trigger a bulb warning sign on the dash which Carista doesn't seem to be able to sort...

I'm now considering changing the other bulbs too - any ideas which ones you went for?

The bulb warning function has to be permanently turned Off by VAG or just put up with it but MOT may spot the warning and give a fail for a warning light being on.

 

[pchmlk]

The bulb warning function has to be permanently turned Off by VAG or just put up with it but MOT may spot the warning and give a fail for a warning light being on.

Thanks BJG, that's mildly annoying but it's so easy to switch the bulbs, I'll just do that prior to the MOT I think if I can't get the warning turned off.

Just checked them in the dark, wow that's a great upgrade - super crisp and bright without looking Max Power chavvy. Great VFM upgrade!

Now off to research the high beam, fog lights and side lights...

 

[Kayleigh]

Yes I am aware that fitting LED bulbs is illegal however our van has air suspension that keeps a constant ride height so I am thinking that should stop any undue dazzle.

As you know, fitting LED bulbs in a reflector housing is not road legal. On the road it is obvious when people have done this, as you have two white balls of fire glaring at you! Yes, you can change them back for the MOT, but the problem is more with your insurance, as in the event of an accident it could invalidate your policy. If someone is blinded by your headlights resulting in an accident with potential third party injury, it is likely your headlights will be checked for legality. I just want to make you aware of this kind of scenario before changing the bulbs.

As an alternative, I suggest changing the whole headlight unit for one with a projector housing and fitting Philips RacingVision bulbs. TransporterHQ have good options for replacement headlight units.
No, they will not be as bright as LED headlights but they will be much better than the bog standard VW H4 units.

 

[Ch1pbutty]

As you know, fitting LED bulbs in a reflector housing is not road legal. On the road it is obvious when people have done this, as you have two white balls of fire glaring at you! Yes, you can change them back for the MOT, but the problem is more with your insurance, as in the event of an accident it could invalidate your policy. If someone is blinded by your headlights resulting in an accident with potential third party injury, it is likely your headlights will be checked for legality. I just want to make you aware of this kind of scenario before changing the bulbs.

As an alternative, I suggest changing the whole headlight unit for one with a projector housing and fitting Philips RacingVision bulbs. TransporterHQ have good options for replacement headlight units.
No, they will not be as bright as LED headlights but they will be much better than the bog standard VW H4 units.

OP is already aware of this and quotes same is his original post:

//
Yes I am aware that fitting LED bulbs is illegal
//

Phillips lights do not have any glare hence are road legal in other European countries…just not UK.

Led bulbs | Philips

Discover our new LED retrofit ranges! On this page you will find all product details, installation guides, FAQ s as well as the contact information.

www.philips.co.uk

The Transporter HQ units that we had fitted to our Beach just had an additional LED DLR strip, otherwise the internals seem to be the same as the VW units.

 

[Ch1pbutty]

The bulb warning function has to be permanently turned Off by VAG or just put up with it but MOT may spot the warning and give a fail for a warning light being on.

These might help - we didn’t need them:

Buy the Philips Accessories for LED upgrade CANbus adapters LUM18960X2/10 CANbus adapters

Enjoy a 3-in-1 solution* for Philips LED bulbs' dashboard warnings and light issues with Philips CANbus adapters. Philips CANbus adapters ensure your LED bulbs' reliable and long-lasting performance in real driving conditions.

www.philips.co.uk

 

[Kayleigh]

OP is already aware of this and quotes same is his original post:

//
Yes I am aware that fitting LED bulbs is illegal
//

Phillips lights do not have any glare hence are road legal in other European countries…just not UK.

Led bulbs | Philips

Discover our new LED retrofit ranges! On this page you will find all product details, installation guides, FAQ s as well as the contact information.

www.philips.co.uk

The Transporter HQ units that we had fitted to our Beach just had an additional LED DLR strip, otherwise the internals seem to be the same as the VW units.

I am aware that the OP is aware of the legality. I quoted that part of the comment and it’s the first thing I stated as well. The point I was making was more to do with insurance implications. Just because something is legal in other countries doesn’t necessarily make it ok in the UK. The law may change on the Philips LED bulbs at some point though, who knows!

I have fitted Transporter HQ headlights to my T6 Beach. They have projector lenses rather than reflectors for dipped beam. I use the GT200 bulbs and they work pretty well.

 

[pchmlk]

Dipped, DRL and full beam now LED. I just can’t get those little parking light bulbs out - need one of my teenagers over the weekend with smaller hands!