If I fit LED headlights on my T6 Ocean will it fail MOT?

[cartersbrighton]

I asked a local VW campervan conversion specialist company near me (I’m in Brighton) about getting LED headlights fitted in my T6 Ocean and was told they could do it but that it was technically an MOT fail as not suitable for on road use. Which is a bit weird given I know loads of people have done this. Has anyone had any problems with this? And/or are there any specifics I should be asking them for? Thanks for your help.

 

[Kayleigh]

For the MOT, LED headlights need to be self levelling and have headlamp washers fitted.

Check with your insurance company if your cover is still valid with aftermarket LED headlamps fitted.

 

[dspuk]

Yes. See below. If you replace halogen with LED as a bulb it will fail. If you replace the whole headlamp unit it will not. Most seem to just swap them back at MOT time.

I can see nothing about LED needing headlamp washers.

“Existing halogen headlamp units on vehicles first used on or after 1 April 1986 must not be converted to be used with high intensity discharge (HID) or light emitting diode (LED) bulbs. If such a conversion has been done, you must fail the headlamp for light source and lamp not compatible.

This does not refer to complete replacement headlamp units which may be constructed with HID or LED light sources.

If a complete headlamp unit has been replaced with a unit that was manufactured with HID or LED light sources, it must not be failed for ‘Light source and lamp not compatible’ but it must meet all other requirements detailed in section 4 of this manual specific to the type fitted at the time of test.”

MOT inspection manual: cars and passenger vehicles - 4. Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment - Guidance - GOV.UK

Headlamp, position lamps, daytime running lamps, stop lamps, indicators, hazard warning lamps, fog lamps, reversing lamps, lighting ‘tell-tales’, trailer electrical socket, electrical wiring and battery rules and inspection for car and passenger vehicle MOT tests.

www.gov.uk

 

[yossarian]

It's complex. See the link @dspuk posted. Also the advice has changed recently.

Existing halogen headlamp units on vehicles first used on or after 1 April 1986 must not be converted to be used with high intensity discharge (HID) or light emitting diode (LED) bulbs. If such a conversion has been done, you must fail the headlamp for light source and lamp not compatible.

This does not refer to complete replacement headlamp units which may be constructed with HID or LED light sources.

If a complete headlamp unit has been replaced with a unit that was manufactured with HID or LED light sources, it must not be failed for ‘Light source and lamp not compatible’ but it must meet all other requirements detailed in section 4 of this manual specific to the type fitted at the time of test.

It looks like you can fit compete headlight units and leveling device but not LED lamps.

 

[Ozzy Pete]

I changed my Bike headlights to HID with a HID bulb and ballast many years ago and have taken it to various garages for its yearly MOT. It’s never failed and nobody has ever said anything about it.
If it did I would just change it back to the ordinary crap halogen bulb.

 

[andyinluton]

For the MOT, LED headlights need to be self levelling and have headlamp washers fitted.

You don’t need washers for LEDs
As long as the output is under 2000 lumens.
New vws with LEDs don’t come with washers as standard.

 

[Ch1pbutty]

I asked a local VW campervan conversion specialist company near me (I’m in Brighton) about getting LED headlights fitted in my T6 Ocean and was told they could do it but that it was technically an MOT fail as not suitable for on road use. Which is a bit weird given I know loads of people have done this. Has anyone had any problems with this? And/or are there any specifics I should be asking them for? Thanks for your help.

Ours passed the Mot with no issues. The beam pattern met the regulations; Supplied and fitted by Bognor Motors. We can now see at night!

Interestingly we used to get flashed a lot in France when we had H4’s + deflector stickers. Since changing to aftermarket unit with LED bulb we have never been flashed in France with deflector sticker.

 

[Georgeo]

The number of vehicles that drive around blinding on coming drivers are due to people not caring about the rules and sticking led and non legal road bulbs in place of legal ones. It’s I can see OK who cares about you.

 

[rod_vw]

For the MOT, LED headlights need to be self levelling and have headlamp washers fitted.

Check with your insurance company if your cover is still valid with aftermarket LED headlamps fitted.

No need for the washers, at least my new MAN TGE with OEM LEDs hasn't got them.

Self levelling is complex, go to the T6 Forum and ask/look there as there some very clever folks on that forum.

 

[cartersbrighton]

Big thanks everyone for your help. Anyone know of any places nearish to Brighton who would do the full unit replacement etc to make sure MOT legal?

 

[tuono001]

You should look at Transporter HQ as they do lots of led headlight units. Swapping headlights units is a fairly easy diy job, assuming you know how to spin a spanner

 

[Ch1pbutty]

Big thanks everyone for your help. Anyone know of any places nearish to Brighton who would do the full unit replacement etc to make sure MOT legal?

https://bmvs.co.uk/

 

[Kevthegas]

Be careful what you buy, a lot of the aftermarket Led lights look good but do not give the same light affect as Genuine Factory Led lights.
These guys are well respected, brace your self for the cost though :-

Genuine T6 Full LED Headlight Upgrade - Supply & Fit

We are please to offer Genuine VW Transporter T6 Full LED Headlights. This is for the Supply and Fitment of genuine Full LED headlights with LED

www.hazzydayz.com

 

[Ozzy Pete]

Be careful what you buy, a lot of the aftermarket Led lights look good but do not give the same light affect as Genuine Factory Led lights.
These guys are well respected, brace your self for the cost though :-

Genuine T6 Full LED Headlight Upgrade - Supply & Fit

We are please to offer Genuine VW Transporter T6 Full LED Headlights. This is for the Supply and Fitment of genuine Full LED headlights with LED

www.hazzydayz.com

If you’ve got 5 grand to spare fill yer boots.......

 

[Kayleigh]

You don’t need washers for LEDs
As long as the output is under 2000 lumens.
New vws with LEDs don’t come with washers as standard.

I stand corrected It was a few years ago that I looked into this for our Beach. So in summary the MOT rules are:

- Aftermarket complete units designed to work with LED bulbs are fine.
- If the vehicle has self-levelling fitted it must be operational.
- If the vehicle has headlamp washers they must be operational.
- Fitting LED bulbs to units designed to work with halogen bulbs will fail the MOT.

 

[andyinluton]

From section 4.1.5 of the current MoT testers manual:

The check of headlamp levelling devices does not apply to motor caravans.

 

[WelshGas]

You should look at Transporter HQ as they do lots of led headlight units. Swapping headlights units is a fairly easy diy job, assuming you know how to spin a spanner

The Transporter HQ headlights have LED DRL's but use standard halogen H7 bulbs. They sell H7 LED bulbs but these are not legal for use on public highways.

 

[sbmcd]

Be careful what you buy, a lot of the aftermarket Led lights look good but do not give the same light affect as Genuine Factory Led lights.
These guys are well respected, brace your self for the cost though :-

Genuine T6 Full LED Headlight Upgrade - Supply & Fit

We are please to offer Genuine VW Transporter T6 Full LED Headlights. This is for the Supply and Fitment of genuine Full LED headlights with LED

www.hazzydayz.com

Wow that is expensive