If I fit LED headlights on my T6 Ocean will it fail MOT?

cartersbrighton · Jul 9, 2023

I asked a local VW campervan conversion specialist company near me (I’m in Brighton) about getting LED headlights fitted in my T6 Ocean and was told they could do it but that it was technically an MOT fail as not suitable for on road use. Which is a bit weird given I know loads of people have done this. Has anyone had any problems with this? And/or are there any specifics I should be asking them for? Thanks for your help.

Kayleigh · Jul 9, 2023

For the MOT, LED headlights need to be self levelling and have headlamp washers fitted.

Check with your insurance company if your cover is still valid with aftermarket LED headlamps fitted.

dspuk · Jul 9, 2023

Yes. See below. If you replace halogen with LED as a bulb it will fail. If you replace the whole headlamp unit it will not. Most seem to just swap them back at MOT time.

I can see nothing about LED needing headlamp washers.

“Existing halogen headlamp units on vehicles first used on or after 1 April 1986 must 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 for light source and lamp not compatible.

This does not refer to complete replacement headlamp units which may be constructed with HID or LED light sources.

If a complete headlamp unit has been replaced with a unit that was manufactured with HID or LED light sources, it must not be failed for ‘Light source and lamp not compatible’ but it must meet all other requirements detailed in section 4 of this manual specific to the type fitted at the time of test.”

MOT inspection manual: cars and passenger vehicles - 4. Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment - Guidance - GOV.UK

Headlamp, position lamps, daytime running lamps, stop lamps, indicators, hazard warning lamps, fog lamps, reversing lamps, lighting ‘tell-tales’, trailer electrical socket, electrical wiring and battery rules and inspection for car and passenger vehicle MOT tests.

www.gov.uk

yossarian · Jul 9, 2023

It's complex. See the link @dspuk posted. Also the advice has changed recently.

Existing halogen headlamp units on vehicles first used on or after 1 April 1986 must 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 for light source and lamp not compatible.

This does not refer to complete replacement headlamp units which may be constructed with HID or LED light sources.

If a complete headlamp unit has been replaced with a unit that was manufactured with HID or LED light sources, it must not be failed for ‘Light source and lamp not compatible’ but it must meet all other requirements detailed in section 4 of this manual specific to the type fitted at the time of test.

It looks like you can fit compete headlight units and leveling device but not LED lamps.

Ozzy Pete · Jul 9, 2023

I changed my Bike headlights to HID with a HID bulb and ballast many years ago and have taken it to various garages for its yearly MOT. It’s never failed and nobody has ever said anything about it.
If it did I would just change it back to the ordinary crap halogen bulb.

andyinluton · Jul 9, 2023

Kayleigh said:
For the MOT, LED headlights need to be self levelling and have headlamp washers fitted.

You don’t need washers for LEDs
As long as the output is under 2000 lumens.
New vws with LEDs don’t come with washers as standard.

Ch1pbutty · Jul 9, 2023

cartersbrighton said:
I asked a local VW campervan conversion specialist company near me (I’m in Brighton) about getting LED headlights fitted in my T6 Ocean and was told they could do it but that it was technically an MOT fail as not suitable for on road use. Which is a bit weird given I know loads of people have done this. Has anyone had any problems with this? And/or are there any specifics I should be asking them for? Thanks for your help.

Ours passed the Mot with no issues. The beam pattern met the regulations; Supplied and fitted by Bognor Motors. We can now see at night!

Interestingly we used to get flashed a lot in France when we had H4’s + deflector stickers. Since changing to aftermarket unit with LED bulb we have never been flashed in France with deflector sticker.

Georgeo · Jul 9, 2023

The number of vehicles that drive around blinding on coming drivers are due to people not caring about the rules and sticking led and non legal road bulbs in place of legal ones. It’s I can see OK who cares about you.

rod_vw · Jul 9, 2023

Kayleigh said:
For the MOT, LED headlights need to be self levelling and have headlamp washers fitted.

Check with your insurance company if your cover is still valid with aftermarket LED headlamps fitted.

No need for the washers, at least my new MAN TGE with OEM LEDs hasn't got them.

Self levelling is complex, go to the T6 Forum and ask/look there as there some very clever folks on that forum.

cartersbrighton · Jul 9, 2023

Big thanks everyone for your help. Anyone know of any places nearish to Brighton who would do the full unit replacement etc to make sure MOT legal?

tuono001 · Jul 9, 2023

You should look at Transporter HQ as they do lots of led headlight units. Swapping headlights units is a fairly easy diy job, assuming you know how to spin a spanner

Ch1pbutty · Jul 9, 2023

cartersbrighton said:
Big thanks everyone for your help. Anyone know of any places nearish to Brighton who would do the full unit replacement etc to make sure MOT legal?

https://bmvs.co.uk/

Kevthegas · Jul 9, 2023

Be careful what you buy, a lot of the aftermarket Led lights look good but do not give the same light affect as Genuine Factory Led lights.
These guys are well respected, brace your self for the cost though :-

Genuine T6 Full LED Headlight Upgrade - Supply & Fit

We are please to offer Genuine VW Transporter T6 Full LED Headlights. This is for the Supply and Fitment of genuine Full LED headlights with LED

www.hazzydayz.com

Ozzy Pete · Jul 9, 2023

Kevthegas said:
Be careful what you buy, a lot of the aftermarket Led lights look good but do not give the same light affect as Genuine Factory Led lights.
These guys are well respected, brace your self for the cost though :-

Genuine T6 Full LED Headlight Upgrade - Supply & Fit

We are please to offer Genuine VW Transporter T6 Full LED Headlights. This is for the Supply and Fitment of genuine Full LED headlights with LED

www.hazzydayz.com

If you’ve got 5 grand to spare fill yer boots.......

Kayleigh · Jul 9, 2023

andyinluton said:
You don’t need washers for LEDs
As long as the output is under 2000 lumens.
New vws with LEDs don’t come with washers as standard.

I stand corrected

It was a few years ago that I looked into this for our Beach. So in summary the MOT rules are:

- Aftermarket complete units designed to work with LED bulbs are fine.
- If the vehicle has self-levelling fitted it must be operational.
- If the vehicle has headlamp washers they must be operational.
- Fitting LED bulbs to units designed to work with halogen bulbs will fail the MOT.

andyinluton · Jul 9, 2023

From section 4.1.5 of the current MoT testers manual:

The check of headlamp levelling devices does not apply to motor caravans.

WelshGas · Jul 9, 2023

tuono001 said:
You should look at Transporter HQ as they do lots of led headlight units. Swapping headlights units is a fairly easy diy job, assuming you know how to spin a spanner

The Transporter HQ headlights have LED DRL's but use standard halogen H7 bulbs. They sell H7 LED bulbs but these are not legal for use on public highways.

sbmcd · Jul 14, 2023

Kevthegas said:
Be careful what you buy, a lot of the aftermarket Led lights look good but do not give the same light affect as Genuine Factory Led lights.
These guys are well respected, brace your self for the cost though :-

Genuine T6 Full LED Headlight Upgrade - Supply & Fit

We are please to offer Genuine VW Transporter T6 Full LED Headlights. This is for the Supply and Fitment of genuine Full LED headlights with LED

www.hazzydayz.com

Wow that is expensive

If I fit LED headlights on my T6 Ocean will it fail MOT?

cartersbrighton

Kayleigh

Back in the ‘non-leaking’ T6 Beach

dspuk

Dave

MOT inspection manual: cars and passenger vehicles - 4. Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment - Guidance - GOV.UK

yossarian

Ozzy Pete

andyinluton

Ch1pbutty

Georgeo

rod_vw

Gone bigger.

cartersbrighton

tuono001

Ch1pbutty

Kevthegas

2018 204ps NOW SOLD

Genuine T6 Full LED Headlight Upgrade - Supply & Fit

Ozzy Pete

Genuine T6 Full LED Headlight Upgrade - Supply & Fit

Kayleigh

Back in the ‘non-leaking’ T6 Beach

andyinluton

WelshGas

Retired after 42 yrs and enjoying Life.

sbmcd

Genuine T6 Full LED Headlight Upgrade - Supply & Fit

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