Mot fail

katy81

katy81

katy81

Associate
Joined
26 Aug 2023
Posts
197
Location
Uk
  • Nearside Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect (4.1.2 (c))
  • Offside Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect (4.1.2 (c))
  • Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))
  • Offside Headlamp not working on main beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

Wtf does that mean? It's totally stock. It's the old style halogen type. Am I right in thinking the previous owner just installed the bulbs incorrectly or something along those lines?

Also the main beam does work when you flash it. But when you turn it on it doesn't work. Any ideas?

The car is a 1997 clk
 
They just move about with time and vibration, there are adjustment screws and I'm surprised they didn't correct it there and then for you. The previous owner didn't do anything.
 
katy81 said:
  • Nearside Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect (4.1.2 (c))
  • Offside Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect (4.1.2 (c))
  • Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))
  • Offside Headlamp not working on main beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))
Click to expand...
Projected beam image incorrect is almost always (on older cars) because the plastic headlamp lenses have gone "cloudy" which basically kills any beam pattern (that, or as you say, the bulbs are fitted incorrectly).
If the car is just going to fail on that, I just whip out a polisher and buff them up again, or refit the bulbs, adjust, then pass it.
This is the polish I use (I haven't found anything better)..

www.eurocarparts.com

Meguiars Plast-RX Clear Plastic Cleaner & Polish 296ml | Euro Car Parts

Meguiars Plast-RX Clear Plastic Cleaner & Polish 296ml at the lowest UK prices from Euro Car Parts UK’s No.1 for Car Accessories, Car Styling & Car Care. Buy today Online, In store or by Phone + Branches Nationwide – Next Day UK Free Delivery.
www.eurocarparts.com www.eurocarparts.com
 
Some cars seem to be much worse than others for that.

If you do polish it, it will quickly go cloudy again as there won't be any UV protection left.
 
katy81 said:
Also the main beam does work when you flash it. But when you turn it on it doesn't work. Any ideas?

The car is a 1997 clk
Click to expand...
I saw an episode of Wheeler Dealers the other day where they had main beam not working. It was down to the two metal contact prongs in the main beam stalk becoming fatigued over time, and bending out of shape so they didn't contact when main beam was engaged. They just slightly bent one of the prongs back a little, then main beam worked. So, this can be an issue on older cars, although it may not be your issue.
 
katy81 said:
  • Nearside Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect (4.1.2 (c))
  • Offside Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect (4.1.2 (c))
  • Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))
  • Offside Headlamp not working on main beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

Wtf does that mean? It's totally stock. It's the old style halogen type. Am I right in thinking the previous owner just installed the bulbs incorrectly or something along those lines?

Also the main beam does work when you flash it. But when you turn it on it doesn't work. Any ideas?

The car is a 1997 clk
Click to expand...
lights, tyres and brakes.... the 3 most obvious vital things to work/be in decent shape on any car.

yours lights have failed, i would say given your obvious lack of any knowledge (not a dig, i am pretty clueless as well) i would say this isnt something you should try to meddle with yourself.... so you dont need ideas from us, just tell the garage to fix it and pay them.
 
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JonRGV250 said:
To be fair, if I’d paid more attention to who the OP was, I wouldn’t have bothered replying.
Haze is correct with his troll statement.
Click to expand...
It's hard to tell whats a troll and what's not when people are genuinely like this... The amount of times it comes up on FB - 'any idea on cost' 'what does this mean?' etc.
 
bigmike20vt said:
lights, tyres and brakes.... the 3 most obvious vital things to work/be in decent shape on any car.

yours lights have failed, i would say given your obvious lack of any knowledge (not a dig, i am pretty clueless as well) i would say this isnt something you should try to meddle with yourself.... so you dont need ideas from us, just tell the garage to fix it and pay them.
Click to expand...

No disrespect but it's ridiculously easy to check if your lights are working. Turn them on and if they don't light up, they don't work.

People that turn up to MOTs with basic failures like tyres, bulbs, screen wash etc, all the ones where simply opening your eyes will tell you that they need attention should be fined IMO, it's basic maintenance and if you're not going to maintain your vehicle, don't bother driving.
 
Resident said:
No disrespect but it's ridiculously easy to check if your lights are working. Turn them on and if they don't light up, they don't work.

People that turn up to MOTs with basic failures like tyres, bulbs, screen wash etc, all the ones where simply opening your eyes will tell you that they need attention should be fined IMO, it's basic maintenance and if you're not going to maintain your vehicle, don't bother driving.
Click to expand...
i never said otherwise, your building a bit of a strawman there.... she said her lights work when she flashed them but not when turned on, and also said her alignment was out on her other lights, i said she needs to just pay to get them fixed..... not sure what is controversial there?

had it of just been a blown headlight then sure, go to halfords and stick in a new one (potentially) and i agree it should not take an MOT to pick that up
 
Last edited:
JonRGV250 said:
Projected beam image incorrect is almost always (on older cars) because the plastic headlamp lenses have gone "cloudy" which basically kills any beam pattern (that, or as you say, the bulbs are fitted incorrectly).
If the car is just going to fail on that, I just whip out a polisher and buff them up again, or refit the bulbs, adjust, then pass it.
This is the polish I use (I haven't found anything better)..

www.eurocarparts.com

Meguiars Plast-RX Clear Plastic Cleaner & Polish 296ml | Euro Car Parts

Meguiars Plast-RX Clear Plastic Cleaner & Polish 296ml at the lowest UK prices from Euro Car Parts UK’s No.1 for Car Accessories, Car Styling & Car Care. Buy today Online, In store or by Phone + Branches Nationwide – Next Day UK Free Delivery.
www.eurocarparts.com www.eurocarparts.com
Click to expand...


What pad would you use with that polish please?
I am due an MOT on a 20 year old Audi TT that has cloudy lenses.

Thx
 
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