Lighting – LED Headlight Upgrade MOT Rule Change (UK Only)

Owners should be aware that MOT changed made on the 19th March 2021 will affect cars that have had upgraded LED’s.

Updates to the MOT inspection manual published this month state that existing halogen headlamp units on classic cars should not be converted to be used with high-intensity discharge (HID) or light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs. The update means cars built and used before 1 April 1986 would not instantly fail for having the bulbs installed. However, the DVSA confirmed vehicles built ‘after this date’ would still fail if they have the part installed. As the Figaro will have a build date of 1991 this falls into this category meaning if your Figaro was to be tested at an MOT station and have LED’s lights fitted it would fail.

Although the decision seems somewhat strange (as clearly LED lights provide better lighting of the road) it seems the change has happened to ensure any headlight fitted are subject to Type Approval. This means if your bulb fails, you must replace it with an identical bulb and are not allowed to install a completely different new headlight unit with an LED bulb.

Can I install them, then remove, when my MOT is due?
Although this is an option, we recommend contacting your insurance provider to clarify if fitting an aftermarket LED would invalidate your insurance?

Where can I buy?
The Figaro Shop sell a kit that includes all the parts required to upgrade at a cost of £82.98. They do state that the lights are not strictly legal – BUY NOW

FURTHER READING

• Actual guidance taken from the page in the manual – Read now
• Latest MOT special notice 01-21: headlamp conversions – published 19/03/2021 Read now

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