LED side light bulbs

Has anybody fitted LED side light bulbs to replace the..rather poor light output of the "normal" sidelights ?
I was concerned if there would be any MOT issues..assuming that they were white, rather than blue tint..which I have read could cause an MOT fail ??

'Old'SeaDog wrote:Has anybody fitted LED side light bulbs to replace the..rather poor light output of the "normal" sidelights ?
I was concerned if there would be any MOT issues..assuming that they were white, rather than blue tint..which I have read could cause an MOT fail ??

I had a Tigra and changed the sidelight bulbs to LED and it failed its MOT for this. Hope this helps.

Andyk wrote:

'Old'SeaDog wrote:Has anybody fitted LED side light bulbs to replace the..rather poor light output of the "normal" sidelights ?
I was concerned if there would be any MOT issues..assuming that they were white, rather than blue tint..which I have read could cause an MOT fail ??

I had a Tigra and changed the sidelight bulbs to LED and it failed its MOT for this. Hope this helps.

Were you given a reason for the MOT fail on the LED sidelights ?

'Old'SeaDog wrote:

Andyk wrote:

'Old'SeaDog wrote:Has anybody fitted LED side light bulbs to replace the..rather poor light output of the "normal" sidelights ?
I was concerned if there would be any MOT issues..assuming that they were white, rather than blue tint..which I have read could cause an MOT fail ??

I had a Tigra and changed the sidelight bulbs to LED and it failed its MOT for this. Hope this helps.

Were you given a reason for the MOT fail on the LED sidelights ?

They just said they were not approved bulbs

I posted about LED bulbs about whether they are approved in another chat on dashboard illumination..
Technically speaking no LED bulbs are not legal in UK vehicles. There is specific and detailed legislation that states vehicle bulbs carry a British standard mark (usually the E Mark) and/or be certain watts. LEDs do not have that Mark and the legislation was never written with them in mind so at best it is a grey area

Andyk wrote:

'Old'SeaDog wrote:

Andyk wrote:

'Old'SeaDog wrote:Has anybody fitted LED side light bulbs to replace the..rather poor light output of the "normal" sidelights ?
I was concerned if there would be any MOT issues..assuming that they were white, rather than blue tint..which I have read could cause an MOT fail ??

I had a Tigra and changed the sidelight bulbs to LED and it failed its MOT for this. Hope this helps.

Were you given a reason for the MOT fail on the LED sidelights ?

They just said they were not approved bulbs

Thanks for the information...not worth the risk by the sounds of it..

DarrenJ wrote:I posted about LED bulbs about whether they are approved in another chat on dashboard illumination..
Technically speaking no LED bulbs are not legal in UK vehicles. There is specific and detailed legislation that states vehicle bulbs carry a British standard mark (usually the E Mark) and/or be certain watts. LEDs do not have that Mark and the legislation was never written with them in mind so at best it is a grey area

Thanks for the information..not worth the risk by the sounds of it..

That’s not to say it wouldn’t be ok as a lot of new cars have LED lights, just that the legislation has not kept up to date with newer technology. Probably comes down to how strict or if they notice when having MOT.
Probably could be something checked if got pulled over by the police but they more likely to check tyres and insurance then stuff like the lights.

DarrenJ wrote:That’s not to say it wouldn’t be ok as a lot of new cars have LED lights, just that the legislation has not kept up to date with newer technology. Probably comes down to how strict or if they notice when having MOT.
Probably could be something checked if got pulled over by the police but they more likely to check tyres and insurance then stuff like the lights.

I may not bother with the LED solution..it's a pity that the side lights are so poor..basically a total waste of time from the front of the car, and I don't really want "waste" my dipped beam bulbs by leaving them on constantly "to be seen"..if you get my drift

I changed sidelights to LED’s and thought they didn’t look right.

What about these 501 W5W bulbs from Halfords: 

• https://www.halfords.com/motoring/bulbs/501-w5w-3500k-whiter-car-bulb-halfords-advanced-twin-pack-718761.html
  
  

They are still only 5W but may be more visible & legal.

• [size=20]501 W5W 3500K Whiter Car Bulb Halfords Advanced Twin Pack Extra Info

  
  [/size]
  
  
  • Whiter upgrade  501 W5W car bulb
    
  • Panel, interior, side and tail bulb
    
  • 3500K colour temperature for whiter light than standard
    
  • Direct replacement for standard bulb – no wiring changes needed
    
  • Twin pack
    
  • Road legal - 'E' marked
    
  • UV cut - suitable for use in plastic lighting units
    
  • Suitable for 12V vehicles
    
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

Absolutely superb Pittstop...those sound ideal, and just what I was thinking about

I have LED sidelights + dipped beam fitted and mine passed MOT. The light output is far improved and the dipped beam works well because we have 'projector type' headlight lens whereby the beam is shaped correctly. They isn't any glare to other road users, unlike non-projector headlights retrofitted with LED or HID on other, older models.

The combination of LED appears correct on the Wind and I think they look great. My chosen independent garage are stringent and I suspect the LED setup passes MOT because a) projector lens results in a correctly shaped beam at correct height, b) combination of dipped beam/sidelight matching c) our cars are relatively young so white LED light output appears 'in keeping' with age. Let me know if you'd like to see a picture or short video

Thanks for this information, I'm ordering the Halfords bulbs recommended by Pittstop today..
Some pictures or a video of yours would be great..What bulbs did you use ?

poole_545 wrote:I have LED sidelights + dipped beam fitted and mine passed MOT. The light output is far improved and the dipped beam works well because we have 'projector type' headlight lens whereby the beam is shaped correctly. They isn't any glare to other road users, unlike non-projector headlights retrofitted with LED or HID on other, older models.

The combination of LED appears correct on the Wind and I think they look great. My chosen independent garage are stringent and I suspect the LED setup passes MOT because a) projector lens results in a correctly shaped beam at correct height, b) combination of dipped beam/sidelight matching c) our cars are relatively young so white LED light output appears 'in keeping' with age. Let me know if you'd like to see a picture or short video

A picture would be great - what led bulbs did you fit or have fitted?

poole_545 wrote:I have LED sidelights + dipped beam fitted and mine passed MOT. The light output is far improved and the dipped beam works well because we have 'projector type' headlight lens whereby the beam is shaped correctly. They isn't any glare to other road users, unlike non-projector headlights retrofitted with LED or HID on other, older models.

The combination of LED appears correct on the Wind and I think they look great. My chosen independent garage are stringent and I suspect the LED setup passes MOT because a) projector lens results in a correctly shaped beam at correct height, b) combination of dipped beam/sidelight matching c) our cars are relatively young so white LED light output appears 'in keeping' with age. Let me know if you'd like to see a picture or short video

Definitely would appreciate pictures and a video if possible...