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Lotus in the Peak
26th - 28th June 2026

Iiir Headlamp Upgrade


whistler

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Posted

Hi - I find the standard front lighting on my Elise IIIR very poor. With the new MOT rules coming into force (HID - washers), anyone got any bright ideas of how to get decent illumination on front dips, full beam and driving lamps? I presume no fixes for missing washer units....? All advice welcomed. Thx all.

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Posted

That link you posted scatty only refers to if you have HID's and they are dodgy and if you have washers that dont... So if you dont have either.... No problemo! 2 less things to fail on!

Posted

I seem to remember there was a lot of discussion on Pistonheads about this.

 

The following is taken from the AA website, but I think it is a repeat of the new MOT rules:

 

HID headlights can cause dazzle if they are dirty or aimed too high, so they are generally (if light output exceeds 2000 lumens) fitted in conjunction with headlamp cleaning and levelling systems. Where HID or LED dipped beam headlamps are fitted the tester will switch on the headlamps and check the operation of any headlamp levelling and cleaning devices fitted.

The car will fail if a headlamp levelling or cleaning device is inoperative or otherwise obviously defective.

 

If I remember correctly, the consensus of opinion was that this ...check the operation of any headlamp levelling and cleaning devices fitted is the critical bit. In other words, if there is a washer or self-levelling system fitted it must work or it will fail, but it isn't mandatory for them to be fitted.

 

It does all seem a bit vague though.

Posted

It cant be mandatory to have them as i and i imagine most lotus owners dont have hid's and certainly dont have headlamp washers! My last mot on the elise was august thruain dealer and no mention at all. It must surely apply to cars that have them amd ensuring they work?

Posted

I've got hid's fitted. they are bloody brilliant... i must be the person the aa is referring too... ;-)

 

 

 

 

Posted

My 2001 S2 has been through 2 or 3 MOTs nowwith HIDs fitted no problems at all

Posted

Interesting feedback - thx for this. The point is that 'the past is history'. These are new MOT Rules for 2012. Lummo is right to quote the AA webpage. That info comes from the Govt Instruction Manual ( www.dvlni.gov.uk/Freedom%20of%20Information/Light%20Vehicle%20Inspection%20Manual/Lamps%20-%20Headlamps.pdf) who say:

Headlamp cleaning and levelling devices

High Intensity Discharge (HID) and LED dipped beam headlamps (whether original

fitment or after-market) must be fitted with a headlamp washing system (a wiper is not

required) and be self levelling. This may be achieved by the use of either headlamp or

suspension levelling systems. However, some high performance vehicles fitted with HID

headlamps that have limited luggage space and stiff suspension do not require a selflevelling

system. It is accepted that it may not be possible to readily determine the

functioning of self levelling systems. In such cases, the benefit of the doubt must be given.

Where headlamp levelling or cleaning devices are missing or defective, but there is doubt

as to whether they are required, the benefit of the doubt should be given.

and then:

Reason for Rejection

1. A missing or insecure obligatory headlamp.

2. Missing, faulty or insecure switch

3. An HID/LED headlamp, self levelling or cleaning device missing, inoperative or

otherwise obviously defective.

I agree there is a little ambiguity but it starts off very clearly that a washer is required. Also - if there isn't one factory-fitted, as far as the MOT is concerned if there are HIDs, then it is 'missing' and that equals 'Fail'.. So - anyone had experience of a 2012 MOT pass or failure? So back to my original question: Any ideas on getting better illumination without HID?

Posted

It must be vague then as mine passed its 2012 mot with hid's. as said my tester didn't know anything about it, as I asked.

 

Maybe the limited luggage space and stiff suspension makes it ok in an Exige/ Elise. Il find out from my mot man.

Posted

If you have HID and they are correctly alighned and your MOT place fails your car, i suggest you find a new MOT place :)

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