How strict are local MOT centres on the new xenon washer law?

[Graham]

what is the point of the washers anyway ?

 

[VintyGti]

I will get it fixed, its washers for your headlights which I don't actually want to work as there pointless... anyway but I know what you mean with people leaving stuff like suspension brakes.

 

[Graham]

a squirt of water wont shift much dirt, jeepers i know in winter i have to sponge the lamps once a day to keep them clear?

and why just xenon's need them ?

 

[nobby]

ask eu ... they come up with this crap!

 

[Graham]

i mind dads old saab (late 80's early 90's) had wipers on the head;amps, that makes sense to me

 

[Nicky]

It's because of the intensity of the light from HID's and the heat they can emit, they will 'burn' the dirt into the lens which will in turn effect their efficiency and pattern.

Clean lights = effective lights.
Dirty lights = dangerous.

 

[Graham]

It's because of the intensity of the light from HID's and the heat they can emit, they will 'burn' the dirt into the lens which will in turn effect their efficiency and pattern.

Clean lights = effective lights.
Dirty lights = dangerous.

I see, they can't clean that much though surely

 

[dufunk]

My dads C5 failed in newbuildings for one washer not working, they also pulled the hand brake up to high and the cable snapped they didnt take any responsibility, newbuildings has the worst rate for failing in NI i have heard. Had bother with my integra's brake pipes allow had them checked and seemed fine but they werent happy until they seen new ones.

 

[davey-dimples]

afaik, if you are able to do a decent DIY job and create a headlight wash kit and it is able to put water on your lens then you will pass.

i could get out and spit on it ?

 

[Tigger 172]

Craigavon failed mine on this today, well that AND a sticky rear caliper

 

[matt89]

new buildings failed me because there was no water in the reservoir. had to go home and fill it up, ring up the test centre, drive back out again and the car passed thankfully lol

 

[slammed dub]

strict enough. i got a complete fail cause one of mine didnt work..

 

[Sailorbaz]

My CSL got an 'advisory' against a failed headlight washer, turned out to be a loose pipe causing a lose in pressure behind the headlight.

new buildings failed me because there was no water in the reservoir. had to go home and fill it up, ring up the test centre, drive back out again and the car passed thankfully lol

They were good enough to pass you later that day, there's plenty of testers out there that'd let you fail for that for such a simple check.

 

[roverspeed]

It's because of the intensity of the light from HID's and the heat they can emit, they will 'burn' the dirt into the lens which will in turn effect their efficiency and pattern.

Clean lights = effective lights.
Dirty lights = dangerous.

My understanding was the opposite, the lights output more visible light and less ir radiation.

I had read the reasoning for headlight washers was that the lights could not melt snow and ice of like.normal.halogen bulbs.

It stands to reason that a bulb that uses less power but itls brighter would put out less heat

 

[stevieturbo]

My understanding was the opposite, the lights output more visible light and less ir radiation.

I had read the reasoning for headlight washers was that the lights could not melt snow and ice of like.normal.halogen bulbs.

It stands to reason that a bulb that uses less power but itls brighter would put out less heat

There is little sensible logic that cars never fitted with something should fail for not having them fitted. And as mentioned already...some motorbikes have these headlights ?...do they have washers ?

 

[Paddy_R]

I see, they can't clean that much though surely

You'd be surprised Graham. The ST had factory fitted washers and during the winter they actually kept the bit that they reached very clean indeed.

 

[chrisni1986]

There is little sensible logic that cars never fitted with something should fail for not having them fitted

see no sense in this myself..

 

[Tigger 172]

Wonder what happens if you go back for the retest with washer blanks?!

 

[FAKER]

Clio sport failed at Boucher last week. Examiner was a legend though, and very fair. I've only been driving the thing for a year and never noticed the absence of an airbag light. Doh!!

 

[NI_Volvo_Nut]

This is now enforce through out the rest of the UK, I'd be interested to see the Evo forums ect now......

 

[stevieturbo]

This is now enforce through out the rest of the UK, I'd be interested to see the Evo forums ect now......

No it isnt. Their test is worded that washers may be fitted, not they must be fitted. They arent as silly as the people here. It was amended at a very early stage.

 

[roverspeed]

I wasn't arguing that the legislation makes little sense, I was arguing about the Physics

 

[azzymo]

My wee Civic passed yesterday even with my very last minute 'cardboard under the front light casing' to align my beam as I've a wee bracket broken on it. DeLIGHTed.

 

[Gibonz]

Had my MOT last month and they guy just asked for 'windscreen washers', didnt mention anything about headlight washers. Although i have them factory installed anyways...

 

[Ben P]

Had my MOT last month and they guy just asked for 'windscreen washers', didnt mention anything about headlight washers. Although i have them factory installed anyways...

He would ask you to use your windscreen washers as the headlight ones come on with them... (every 3 windscreen washes or something to that effect)