LED H7 headlight bulbs upgrade - impressed (so far) (1 Viewer)

[Lenny HB]

I'd have thought you can see the bulb without disassembly.
I've got LED daytime bulbs in the car so I hope they aren't pedantic enough to bother

Not with projector lamps.

 

[Two on Tour]

An interesting bit of reading arrived via my email inbox this morning, including MOT testing changes in January 2021

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

 

[Lenny HB]

An interesting bit of reading arrived via my email inbox this morning, including MOT testing changes in January 2021

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

I think in the end it comes down to the individual tester as the rules are as clear as mud.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Two on Tour]

I think in the end it comes down to the individual tester as the rules are as clear as mud.

The rules are perfectly clear, but as you say, it's down to the tester turning a blind eye, not noticing or acting on the new MOT update.

Section 4.1.4 now states the following:

“Existing halogen headlamp units should 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.”

 

[Ditcha]

I would think that there's more chance of A classes passing than a coach built as they all use a different range of low and high beam bulb housing configuration's so bit of a minefield for the tester.

 

[63720]

Well that's cleared that up then

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[XxAnthxX]

I‘m not too worried about the new MOT rules, my tester is very friendly,.

My new BULBS arrived today, but I can’t quite see how they will fit. It looks like I will need a major modification to my headlights to receive them.

Even if I do get them in....how will i water them?

 

[Gromett]

Before I start, I know that most LED bulbs are not e-marked, and they work much better in general with projector headlamps rather than the old fashioned reflector headlamps that are fitted to Fiat Ducatos.

I have fitted these knowing that they aren’t authorised for road use, so please don’t remind me that they don’t conform thanks.

The reason that I’m so impressed is because over the years I have tried all sorts of bulbs in all my cars with differing results, but these have an identical beam pattern to the original halogen bulbs which suggests they won’t blind other road users. In the past I have removed bulbs that are too bright or have an awful beam pattern because I do not want to blind people. I just want to be able to see where I’m going.
(Frankly I think that halogen headlights should be banned as they are so dim, rubbish and dangerous.)

These LED bulbs were recommended by Bob Earnshaw on YouTube. His video is HERE and the link to Amazon is HERE.

If you decide to give them a try, remove the bulb base from the LED bulb and fit that into the bulb holder in the headlamp first. Then, fit the bulb and then twist until the bulb is VERTICAL** in the headlamp. Tuck the connectors in, leaving a bit of space for the headlamp adjustment mechanism to move freely.

**VERTICAL bulbs ensure that the beam of light is spread outwards, which reflects properly from the back of the headlight outwards, conforming to the original beam pattern. Any other angle and the light is cast all over the place. If you put them flat, the beam pattern is just awful and a telling off by pc plod would be imminent because the light that shines down from the bulb reflects upwards - into people’s faces.

I’ve attached some photos (LED passenger side, original candles driver side) and will update this thread once I’ve driven down a dark road somewhere to let you know how they actually perform in use.

EDIT: Don’t bother with the other LEDs that Bob tried in his video, the reviews look awful. I bought 2 pairs of the ones linked above, for dipped and main beam.

I just read this article and thought of you. Be aware that at the next MOT your car will fail it's test now.

Brexit hopefully changes that. With astonishing clarity of thought and – bearing in mind what we’re seeing in other sectors – speed, the government issued an update to MOT testers. As of 1 January 2021, section 4.1.4 of the MOT Inspection manual reads: “Existing halogen headlamp units should 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.”

Full article about the reasons and problems here.

Unexpected Brexit bonus is dazzling in its clarity

Ultra-bright LED car headlights are the scourge of night driving but a quirk of existing legislation spells the end for the worst offenders

www.telegraph.co.uk

 

[Gromett]

Sorry didn't read through the rest of the thread as I stopped following after the first couple of pages as I have no intention of making this upgrade.
Seems others have already pointed out the change to the MOT situation.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[poppycamper]

I too considered fitting leds to my van but after stumbling across this post and other similar ones I decided to wait and see how others fared 're mots.
Threads on here have convinced me i have made right decision not to fit.
Instead I fitted Racing Vision bulbs and although I can't compare them to leds (never had them) I can report they are far superior to standard halogen.....and they passed mot.

 

[Lenny HB]

Could still return mine by the end of the month. I like the result and being projector lamps I doubt if they will get picked up on an MOT and I have a friendly MOT man, so I will keep them.

 

[Cairngorm]

And me...................when I get around to changing them.

Cheers,

Jock.

Well I fitted them and I felt slightly under whelmed. Wasn’t a proper test as it wasn’t pitch black. Could be back to the fog lights as Plan B. Tried that once and no one flashed me. Be a while before the wheels roll again.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[poppycamper]

Humble apologies for revamping this thread but it has now been quite a while since it first appeared...
I was wondering if there is any feed back from Funsters who have made this upgrade and how they got on re' mots.
I am sure others will also be interested in the outcome..
Again sorry and thanks.

 

[Poutie57]

I fitted them and really pleased with the results I also didn’t need to make any adjustments to the beam pattern overall a good cheap upgrade

 

[poppycamper]

I fitted them and really pleased with the results I also didn’t need to make any adjustments to the beam pattern overall a good cheap upgrade

Thanx for reply Poutie57 and yes they do "appear" to be a good upgrade BUT it was really feedback from anyone who has put them through an MOT and how they got on .. passed or failed... and any relevant comments made by tester I am interested with.
Thanks.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Lenny HB]

Had my MOT last Friday and it passed with the LED bulbs, two things in its favor, the MOT guy I use is pretty laid back and with my style of headlamps with LED DRL's & Indicators built in it looks like LED bulbs could be a standard fit.

Only got around last week to adjusting the height of them, good job I did, I'd forgotten I'd put them back to LHD.
I've now found some bulb holder clips for the LED bulbs, not fitted them yet as I knew the beam pattern was good & didn't want to disturb them.

2x H7 LED Headlight Bulb Adapter Holder Audi BMW Mercedes Skoda VW Vauxhall B15 | eBay

Led Headlight Kits. Indicator Bulbs. This will allow you to replace MOST after-market LED bulb firmly, quickly on the original headlamp housing without destroying the original socket. Indicator Leds.

www.ebay.co.uk

 

[Poutie57]

My van passed its mot last month with the led’s. Speaking the tester he said they were absolutely fine however he did say a lot of cheaper conversions fail because they flicker and even though the owner can’t see it the mot testing station can
I’ve now used them at night and I must say what a difference they make

 

[SIFTA SAM]

My MOT garage have confirmed, led 'converts' as ok.
That's me happy!

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Al n Val]

Mine passed a couple of weeks ago with no issues whatsoever, never mentioned them at all and he's a bit keen if i'm honest

Result and more importantly able to see when its dark so more of a result

 

[poppycamper]

Lenny HB Thanks for update.. You may remember I asked a while back if anyone had managed to get successful Mot's.

 

[OldCodger]

Oops wrong thread…

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[ManTheVan]

Oops wrong thread…

No, this is exactly the right thread. Excellent information and many people’s experiences.

 

[acropolis22]

My MOT garage have confirmed, led 'converts' as ok.
That's me happy!

Good luck for you, but how the hell does that tally with post #244? All very confusing.

 

[poppycamper]

Good luck for you, but how the hell does that tally with post #244? All very confusing.

Think it's a case of "how lucky do you feel" and "are you a gambling man".
If it fails at one station go elsewhere and they MAY pass it.
Seems to me it is totally on what mood tester is in when he does your vehicle.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Al n Val]

For anyone that may be interested I’ll be selling the 4 halogen bulbs soon when i remove them from the Comanche as it’s being px’d
I’ll guess they been used no more than 10 hours

Al

 

[Al n Val]

And just to add referring to post 244

it’s a 5 min job to change the bulbs back to your standard dim ones

So fit the old ones before the mot if it bothers you

Simples

 

[Lenny HB]

My MOT garage have confirmed, led 'converts' as ok.
That's me happy!

He obviously doesn't know the MOT rules but all of us have fitted them so far have had a pass.
A lot off them don't seem bothered if the beam pattern is correct.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[SIFTA SAM]

He obviously doesn't know the MOT rules but all of us have fitted them so far have had a pass.
A lot off them don't seem bothered if the beam pattern is correct.

So what did your garage say when you told them they 'didn't know' the rules, and had issued you with an 'illegal' MOT Pass, which you knowingly accepted?

 

[Lenny HB]

So what did your garage say when you told them they 'didn't know' the rules, and had issued you with an 'illegal' MOT Pass, which you knowingly accepted?

Not stupid enough to tell or ask.
If you read my earlier posts you would have seen that I mentioned that my headlamps look like LED could be a standard fit.

 

[Stealaway]

I seldom have cause to drive at night but was forced into it one very dark night last year in Germany.
My 2019 Ducato headlights are so poor they are dangerous. I was having to slow down to less than 30mph at times.
I bought a set of these but haven't tried them in proper dark yet. I had them on early one morning last month and they were certainly brighter but are focused to close to the front of the van. Are the headlights re-aligned after conversion? Or do you have to wait for the MOT tester to reset them?

They are easy to fit or change at MOT time. Only two screws on my 2019 van.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}