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MG MGB Technical - LED Lights

After understanding from my MOT tester last summer, that LED conversions to our cars would result in an MOT failure, it seems the DVSA have had a change of mind, and their current LED status is as follows.

"The DVSA says: ‘Vehicles first used before 1 April 1986 are not required to use type approved ‘e’ marked headlamps. Therefore, converting a halogen, or other headlamp on such a vehicle, to use led bulbs would not be in contravention of the regulations.".
It's not on my mind to do, but thought some might be interested to know where they stand!!

As an example of some perverse logic though, vehicles built post 1/04/ 1986, which did not have them as standard fitting, would still be failed???
Allan Reeling

They have been legal for a couple of years now. However the previous wording was "From 22 March 2021, we're changing these rules so that not all motorcycles and vehicles will fail the MOT test if their halogen headlamp units have been converted to be used with HID or LED bulbs." which seemed to be saying sealed beam conversions would still be illegal.

The wording before that was even more confusing: "Should a vehicle be presented for an MOT test with conversions before 1 April 1986 they must not be failed with immediate effect." i.e. it seemed to depend on when the conversion had been done :o)

I'm used to seeing scrambled grammar and spelling in every-day life but one would think the law makers would get it right.

I tried an LED conversion but was very disappointed - yes whiter but no better visibility, in fact worse as there was a dead area in front of the car. After the March 21 ruling I fitted HIDs which are miles better but a huge amount of work to fit especially when the pilot bulbs are in the headlight. They are so bright that an original defect in the reflector shape allows a portion of light to be reflected upwards and is visible in the beam tester and was initially failed, and I have to stick a bit of tape over the offended portion of glass similar to continental beam deflectors. That defect is there with halogen but being less bright doesn't show on the beam tester.
paulh4

Paul,
Behind the times, as usual!!!🤷🏽‍♂️
But having said that, the beam patterns I have seen with LED "bulbs" fitted to previously Halogen equipped units have not been great, and much more of a bright Flood, rather the well defined beams, particularly dip beams, that quality Halogens produce. I always assumed that this was a product of the light source being "off" positionally!
Some suppliers say this issue has been overcome, but haven't seen the proof yet!
Allan Reeling

This thread was discussed between 22/06/2023 and 23/06/2023

MG MGB Technical index

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