Anyone ever converted their halogen headlamps to LED?

[OldCodger]

I’m thinking of up rating the headlamps on Betsy as hers are a bit dim sat night. I want to fit LEDs if possible

Has anyone done this on their A class?

Betsy is a 2016 7400 plus on the Merc chassis.

 

[Garfields]

Could end up with MOT fail

 

[Pjdow]

You run the risk of a MOT failure

 

[EuroTrotters]

My neighbour did, you couldn’t miss him coming home at night. Glared like mad. Car stolen nie so not an issue.

 

[pyro]

As with any modification to the vehicle, or the use of any pattern part, as long as the replacements meet the minimum standards for the vehicle it would be perfectly lawful.

The standards for headlights aren't difficult to meet, in terms of bightness, colour and correct alignment.

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[kevenh]

It is a mod I don’t understand.
Who decided what we have been happy with is not bright enough?
It could just be “keeping up-ism”

Even cyclists get lights as bright as the sun but don’t point them down to the road.

 

[Manic]

Search the forum been a few threads about changing to LED headlights

 

[OldCodger]

Could end up with MOT fail

How so?

As with any modification to the vehicle, or the use of any pattern part, as long as the replacements meet the minimum standards for the vehicle it would be perfectly lawful.

That’s what I thought. I’d only do it if it was like-for-like but brighter!

 

[Ditcha]

We changed ours but don't have a mot for another 2 years so will let you know the outcome then.
Much better whiter light than normal halogen this thread ran for a while.

Thread 'LED H7 headlight bulbs upgrade - impressed (so far)' https://www.motorhomefun.co.uk/forum/threads/led-h7-headlight-bulbs-upgrade-impressed-so-far.231788/

Lenny HB changed to LEDS and passed a mot you take your chances I suppose easily put back to halogen if needed

 

[OldCodger]

It is a mod I don’t understand.
Who decided what we have been happy with is not bright enough?

Driving this weekend in the spray it was difficult to see the road. We’ve got used to Xenons and LED lights on our cars and would like the same visibility. A preference

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[pyro]

How do?

That’s what I thought. I’d only do it if it was like-for-like but brighter!

Careful on brightness/colour though. Xenon colour issues can be problematic

 

[Ditcha]

They have been made legal in Germany so might get approval here

NIGHT BREAKER H7-LED | OSRAM Automotive

www.osram.com

 

[OldCodger]

Careful on brightness/colour though. Xenon colour issues can be problematic

In what way?

 

[ManTheVan]

I changed our Ducato’s bulbs to LED and the MoT tester had me in to show me the reason for the resultant failure. The pattern was all over the place. The replacement bulbs need to be CE marked to be legal and acceptable.

We went for night breaker halogens which have been excellent…and we passed the MoT too…

 

[pyro]

It is a mod I don’t understand.
Who decided what we have been happy with is not bright enough?
It could just be “keeping up-ism”

Even cyclists get lights as bright as the sun but don’t point them down to the road.

Just because dome cyclist do it, doesn't mean it's lawful. They don't have MOTs for bikes last time I checked.

Headlights are tested for alignment, to ensure that they do not dazzle or visually irritate oncoming drivers.

The requirement, as far as I recall, is for forward lighting to be white. I believe that the colour used is now specified in degrees kelvin.

Some "boy racer" xenon mods in particular use lights falling into the blue or green spectrum just to appear "cool", causing problems for other oncoming road traffic (eg the colour of light effects the focus of the beams, light dispersal, etc). That could well be a step too far.

Best to ensure CE approval and a known source, as standards are pretty universal.

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[Two on Tour]

I too changed our headlamp bulbs to Osram Night Breakers, easy to fit effective upgrade.

 

[OldCodger]

In the above mentioned thread there’s a link to this article

Aftermarket LED Bulbs: MOT Rules And Legalities

Can upgrade LED bulbs pass an MOT? We go through exactly what MOT testing stations look for and whether your aftermarket bulbs will pass an MOT.

www.autobulbsdirect.co.uk

Which clearly says

But then again they have to look! (Apologies for using the B word)

 

[OldCodger]

That sort of kills the idea.

 

[poppycamper]

I too changed our headlamp bulbs to Osram Night Breakers, easy to fit effective upgrade.

Another for Night Breakers (not led version)

 

[pyro]

I suspect that it's not retrospective, up until Britain exited the EU, anything that was previously acceptable remains so.

Best ask at your MOT testing station then

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[chatteris]

we had a car in for a taxi test that had been purchased and mot,d and passed earlier in the day we failed the dodgy headlamp conversion, beam was all over the place and no defined kick up, being kind, we removed the conversions and replaced with correct bulbs and then passed it

 

[Pjdow]

As with any modification to the vehicle, or the use of any pattern part, as long as the replacements meet the minimum standards for the vehicle it would be perfectly lawful.

The standards for headlights aren't difficult to meet, in terms of bightness, colour and correct alignment.

This is not correct advise

 

[Fontie]

Wow not cheap are they

Amazon product ASIN B07P5NRV1K

 

[SIFTA SAM]

I changed our Ducato’s bulbs to LED and the MoT tester had me in to show me the reason for the resultant failure. The pattern was all over the place. The replacement bulbs need to be CE marked to be legal and acceptable.

We went for night breaker halogens which have been excellent…and we passed the MoT too…

My Led replacement bulbs needed to have their beam pattern checked and adjusted per their enclosed instructions?

 

[DJT]

A.B.D. Auto Bulbs Direct. Have used this company for a good few years and have always found the service and website top class.
The website contains most of the info you will need on bulb upgrades,leds etc.
DJT

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[pyro]

This is not correct advise

Presumably you mean advice, which is neither incorrect nor even given.

As I stated;

"As with any modification to the vehicle, or the use of any pattern part, as long as the replacements meet the minimum standards for the vehicle it would be perfectly lawful"

For information about those current minimum standards, see here; https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/special-notice-01-21-headlamp-conversions

The law has changed, and is subject to further change in line with technology (it was written in 1986): As it is now, vehicles presented with converted halogen headlamp units first used on or after 1 April 1986 (NOT all vehicles) will continue to be failed.

Best bet is to seek advice from the MOT tester concerned

 

[DDJC]

Upgraded our Ducato standard H7s to Cree flat pattern LED. Before the MOT (its first) I warned the garage that it had LEDs. He shrugged and said, don't worry, we'll put some normal bulbs in as it would fail. Didn't even charge me for the bulbs, but I doubt that they are premium type!

I've put the LEDs back in as they are brighter than the filament bulbs, throw a flat pattern on the road and are adjusted to be non-dazzling for left and right driving.

Daytime running lights are LED as well.