HID kits for old cars

AHarvey

AHarvey

AHarvey

Soldato
Joined
6 Mar 2008
Posts
10,085
Location
Stoke area
Hi,

The VW Corrado is known for having really crappy lights, mainly due to the voltage drop between the batteries and the lights. You can correct for this will some extra wiring but tbh, the lights are like all old lights from the early 90's, pretty poor.

I would like a HID kit for them but am I correct in thinking that the conversion kits are illegal for on the road use?

Does anyone know of a company that makes after market HID light units for old cars? I'd also need to put in self levelling and headlamp cleaning (just sprays or wipers too?)
 
hids fitted into headlights without projectors are illegal, iv never seen a corrado with projectors, unless you go down the angel eye route, im guessing.
 
You will be told to go ahead.
However if your car uses reflector lenses and you put a HID kit into them then you deserve to be shot.
Sure you won't see any major problems, it's every single poor sod who drives towards you that has the problem.

Legallity is at best a grey area right now on aftermarket HID's and set to become a lot more "illegal" when it becomes an MOT point next year.
 
If you can find a company making HID headlamp units for your car that would be a good start but remember they need to be E marked, and yes self leveling and cleaning (its not specific) is a requirement of retrofitting HID headlamp units into older cars. As you stated simply putting HID bulbs into the standard headlamp units is not acceptable, heres the regs for your interest:

http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/roadsafety/drs/hidheadlamps
 
The DFT site only shows their interpretation, it is not law. If you do not relay the loom you still won't get great performance even with HID lights, you need a solid 12v before doing anything.
 
Lopéz said:
The DFT site only shows their interpretation, it is not law.
Click to expand...

The DfT are the body tasked with interpreting the law, (i.e what they say goes) which the police then enforce, hence why they created that fact sheet to help people who have difficulty understanding the full legislation document.
 
Corrado suffers from poor headlights due to the poor quality of wiring used in the factory loom, measuring Laura's she had about 10.5V across the headlight. Get an updated wiring loom, which basically runs new lives direct from the battery, along with appropriate relays.

Couple this with some updated bulbs and the difference literately is night and day.

HIDs will just not work with the reflectors, especially the Corrado plastic ones.
 
ubersonic said:
The DfT are the body tasked with interpreting the law, (i.e what they say goes) which the police then enforce, hence why they created that fact sheet to help people who have difficulty understanding the full legislation document.
Click to expand...

No, i thought the interpretation of the law is done by the courts, as a result of a test case, which has never been done with regards to HID lights.

This means the DfT can interpret it how they like (in this case illegal), but i might interpret it as legal. It'd then be the DfT's job to take me to court to fight it and let the courts decide who was correct in their interpretation.

OP, first thing i would do, is get some Philips Xtreme Power light bulbs from powerbulbs.com

I just ordered some and they come with free sidelights, for £27.
 
Gaygle said:
No, i thought the interpretation of the law is done by the courts, as a result of a test case, which has never been done with regards to HID lights.

This means the DfT can interpret it how they like (in this case illegal), but i might interpret it as legal. It'd then be the DfT's job to take me to court to fight it and let the courts decide who was correct in their interpretation.
Click to expand...

Yes this is exactly how it would happen, however the court would almost certainly adopt the DfT's interpretation as they are the relevant body, judges are not wise masters of all knowledge (its doubtful many of them have ever heard of a HID) if they need to make a decision on a subject matter they are advised by the reliant body (in this case the DfT)
 
ubersonic said:
Yes this is exactly how it would happen, however the court would almost certainly adopt the DfT's interpretation as they are the relevant body, judges are not wise masters of all knowledge (its doubtful many of them have ever heard of a HID) if they need to make a decision on a subject matter they are advised by the reliant body (in this case the DfT)
Click to expand...

Maybe, but until that happens, it's not illegal is it?
 
MrLOL said:
Its worth bearing in mind that European legislation (in its current form) will become active next year which makes this illegal once and for all as you fail an MOT with them fitted.

Proof :

http://www.dft.gov.uk/vosa/repository/MoT - Issue 48 - Oct 2010.pdf
Click to expand...

DfT Magazine said:
Other items – such as headlamp bulb and unit incompatibility, headlamp levelling devices and illegal engine ‘chipping’ – will need further thought before we can get a workable solution for MOT stations.
Click to expand...

Illegal engine chipping? What's illegal about me wanting to get a remap?
 
no idea what sort of engine chipping is illegal and what is legal.

But its due to come in force on 1st of Jan 2012, so they better make their minds up !
 
Gaygle said:
Illegal engine chipping? What's illegal about me wanting to get a remap?
Click to expand...

Currently nothing (in this country at least - any engine mods are illegal in some countries - France for example).

VOSA/DfT have yet to define what "illegal chipping" means. Under pressure from the UK's massive tuning industry, initial indications are that they will not consider any chipping/remapping to be illegal.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
My car is remapped, will it fail my MOT? If Fiat can't find my map easily how will Bobs Garage who has to turn out my MOT test in 45minutes for the £30~ I get it for be able to find it?
 
Peerzy said:
My car is remapped, will it fail my MOT? If Fiat can't find my map easily how will Bobs Garage who has to turn out my MOT test in 45minutes for the £30~ I get it for be able to find it?
Click to expand...

Pointless question as nothing has been decided yet.
 
Peerzy said:
My car is remapped, will it fail my MOT? If Fiat can't find my map easily how will Bobs Garage who has to turn out my MOT test in 45minutes for the £30~ I get it for be able to find it?
Click to expand...

the document on the DFT website above says the coalition government are going to decide later this year what to add to the MOT test and how to implement it etc..

I don't think they'll find anybody fighting the corner for illegal HID kids, unlike ecu remapping ...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom