Author Topic: MOT updates 11 January 2021 (Read 1426 times)

Barbel Mick · « **on:** January 14, 2021, 13:02:46 »

Update 11 January 2021

4.1.4 Headlamps - Compliance with requirements -
Sentence changed from 'Some motorcycles may be fitted with high intensity discharge (HID) headlamps. Existing halogen headlamp units should not be converted to be used with HID bulbs. If such a conversion has been done, you must fail the headlamp.' to 'Some motorcycles may be fitted with high intensity discharge (HID) or light emitting diode (LED) headlamps. Existing halogen headlamp units should not be converted to be used with HID or LED bulbs. If such a conversion has been done, you must fail the headlamp.'

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/mot-inspection-manual-for-motorcycles/updates

Brockett · « **Reply #1 on:** January 14, 2021, 13:15:40 »

Does this mean the OE headlight cannot be replaced by say a new "LED unit" or is it just that the OE headlight itself cannot be modified?

I think it means the latter, however, it is up to the usual standard of Govt documents in that there are people who are technically qualified and other people who can write plain accurate, English, but not always both.

tallpaul · « **Reply #2 on:** January 14, 2021, 13:25:50 »

I read that as you can't convert a halogen headlight unit to any other lightsource. The fitting of a correct made for hid or led lightsource is OK.

Subject to the correct approvals markings of course.

Oop North John · « **Reply #3 on:** January 14, 2021, 13:27:59 »

If all you've done is replace a "normal" halogen bulb with and LED one, with no changes / adaptations to the headlamp / bike etc, then have you "converted" it?

Mr Nick · « **Reply #4 on:** January 14, 2021, 13:28:14 »

Not permitting replacement of the whole assembly with an approved LED unit would have been written as the motorcycle should not be converted.
What this is getting at is if the headlamp unit came halogen, you can't use LED or HID lamps in it. Swapping lamps is conversion as far as the rules are concerned as it no longer uses the halogen lamp.

Brockett · « **Reply #5 on:** January 14, 2021, 14:01:23 »

There will be a lot of tears and tantrums at MOT time.

kwackboy · « **Reply #6 on:** January 14, 2021, 14:07:22 »

The way I see it is this ...

If a standard headlight has been converted to full LED unit ( not just the bulb ), on any bike and all is well with the light source/beam, I'll pass it.

Below comes into the "some category"

If a standard halogen fitment light unit has an LED / HID bulb fitted and the beam is as good as a halogen bulb, I'll pass it however, this is a rare scenario as most are failed due to the beam being thrown all over the place.

Mr Nick · « **Reply #7 on:** January 14, 2021, 14:35:54 »

I suspect that the change in the definition is to pick up the LED replacement lamps that pretty much never comply with the beam requirements as fails to reduce the discrepancy between what one tester says is fine and another fails. Sledgehammer to crack a nut, but you can spot retrofit LED lamps a mile off as they're the ones dazzling you.
I stopped using the Suzuki dealer for MOTs as they were on the nit picking side, and you had to book well in advance not knowing if it's going to be a miserable day you'd rather not take your classic out in. The fully compliant exhaust on the KTM with factory baffles installed and the CE sticker that they sold me was still failed as it's a subjective opinion. Removing subjectivity as far as practicable in regulations is the way to ensure consistency.

mr_diver · « **Reply #8 on:** January 14, 2021, 14:38:49 »

I got a quiet talking to by one of the MOT testers in the dealers I worked in.

He was sitting at the traffic lights opposite me on our separate ways to work.

He commented that the beam on the Vara with LED bulbs was scattered all over the place and will fail an MOT and the police will class it as "not roadworthy"

Later that day he handed me a piece of paper listing it as the reason he's failed my bike on the MOT I'd taken the bike in for.

He then handed me the pass cert saying I know you'll get bulbs today and fit them before riding the bike home. - I worked on the parts desk.

mr_diver · « **Reply #9 on:** January 14, 2021, 14:41:25 »

As for the loud race exhaust on my bike that made everyones desk vibrate when it ridden through the workshop door was noted as "loud, but not excessively" and the tester said a big twin should sound just like that

UK_Vstrom650 · « **Reply #10 on:** January 14, 2021, 16:51:37 »

I hear they are going to be cracking down on loud pipes too with noise meters being installed and read 95db being mentioned as the limit.

It's good to hear MOT rules now coming in to stop people blinding you

2112 · « **Reply #11 on:** January 14, 2021, 17:18:15 »

Where I take my car to be MOT'd a bottle of Vodka secures a pass regardless of condition. You then get a separate list of what's wrong

Brockett · « **Reply #12 on:** January 14, 2021, 23:31:31 »

I know of a case where a 15 year old diesel has the same emission readings as a three year old Audi.

(Not mine on an 58 plate)

Mr Nick · « **Reply #13 on:** January 14, 2021, 23:49:09 »

Same emissions as a VAG car is hardly a high bar to set is it?

TLPower · « **Reply #14 on:** January 15, 2021, 04:59:47 »

It depends on who set the bar I and if the bar was under test conditions.

Holmsey · « **Reply #15 on:** January 15, 2021, 06:59:20 »

Just wait until February... You are no longer allowed to have tyres more than 10 years old on a vehicle..... I'll be out there looking at cars towing trailers

kwackboy · « **Reply #16 on:** January 15, 2021, 07:52:05 »

Urm ... You're retiring ..

That's cars only as far as I know ...

mr_diver · « **Reply #17 on:** January 15, 2021, 07:57:54 »

That'll mess with lots of Goldwing owners towing trailers.
They buy one of the most expensive bikes out there then expect the thing to last a million miles without any services or replacement parts.

#tightasaducksarse
#yorkshirebattlecry

Oop North John · « **Reply #18 on:** January 15, 2021, 08:46:01 »

Quote from: Holmsey on January 15, 2021, 06:59:20

Just wait until February... You are no longer allowed to have tyres more than 10 years old on a vehicle..... I'll be out there looking at cars towing trailers

When I was much younger I was in the RAF in Germany and the British forces looked after the roadworthiness of the British civilian vehicles owned by the service men / women and their dependents. There was a yearly test on the cars etc, just like an MOT, but also did it on any trailer / caravan etc which had it's own number plate. Part of the trailers test was its lights so you had to make sure that the car's worked OK, otherwise the trailer would fail.
These tests stopped the common sight of caravans with one wheel on jacks by the side of the road, while the owner got the ancient ozone cracked blown tyre replaced.

Brockett · « **Reply #19 on:** January 15, 2021, 11:02:28 »

Ten years still seems too much especially if ungaraged and exposed to sunlight.