Daylight Running Light.........LED ?

[FROSTYBALLS]

The MOT requirements as regards failing HID or LED bulbs fitted to halogen headlights, applies to headlights - not drl's. 

[Avalon]

On 6/15/2021 at 12:56 PM, FROSTYBALLS said:

The MOT requirements as regards failing HID or LED bulbs fitted to halogen headlights, applies to headlights - not drl's. 

While they are specifically listed for MOT purposes, the legal requirement for e-marked bulbs is exactly that and has been for years, and applies here and in the EU. The odds of an MOT tester actually checking a bulb is e marked are almost zero, they can’t physically pull the bulb as it’s not part of the test. That’s not the same in say a reflector set-up where it’s generally visually obvious that an HID/LED has been fitted as you can see it, less so in projectors unless the ballast is obviously on-show or the beam pattern is off.

[FROSTYBALLS]

23 minutes ago, Avalon said:

While they are specifically listed for MOT purposes, the legal requirement for e-marked bulbs is exactly that and has been for years, and applies here and in the EU. The odds of an MOT tester actually checking a bulb is e marked are almost zero, they can’t physically pull the bulb as it’s not part of the test. That’s not the same in say a reflector set-up where it’s generally visually obvious that an HID/LED has been fitted as you can see it, less so in projectors unless the ballast is obviously on-show or the beam pattern is off.

There was a change in the MOT rules effective from 22 March 2021. MOT testers should fail a vehicle where HID or  LED headlight bulbs are fitted to light units designed for halogen bulbs - nothing to do with E marking. 

See:

MOT rule change January 2021 - HID and LED headlight bulbs in halogen light units - General Discussions - Toyota Owners Club - Toyota Forum

[Avalon]

31 minutes ago, FROSTYBALLS said:

There was a change in the MOT rules effective from 22 March 2021. MOT testers should fail a vehicle where HID or  LED headlight bulbs are fitted to light units designed for halogen bulbs - nothing to do with E marking. 

See:

MOT rule change January 2021 - HID and LED headlight bulbs in halogen light units - General Discussions - Toyota Owners Club - Toyota Forum

I’m not disputing what the recent changes were to the MOT criteria, but they’re largely irrelevant to the legal requirements we have had for over 3 decades. You can’t use any bulb that is not certified to the current or previous standard. The Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations 1989 stated the requirement for all bulbs to be BS marked, when we ratified ECE R37 that became e marked to bring us in line with the EU. Passing an MOT with an illegal bulb doesn’t alter its legality, it just means you passed the MOT. The responsibility to ensure legality and roadworthy condition of the vehicle at all times is clearly stated in pretty much every insurance policy I have ever read.

So in op’s case while LED’s may look better, have a colour temp that is visually more distinctive and in turn make him more noticeable to other road users - which I would argue equals safer - unless he replaces his headlights with ones with built in LED’s that are e market for road use, then they won’t be technically legal irrespective of if an MOT is passed or not. The MOT criteria is so limited it’s laughable, the previous criteria was enough to fail HID/LED bulbs if applied correctly, the change to specifically prohibit LED/HID was more of a PR exercise than a meaningful change.

[FROSTYBALLS]

In the OP's case he is replacing his daylight running light bulbs, which are T20's and not headlight bulbs, and in any case has since decided to go with halogens.  I've already indicated that for him the change in MOT requirements doesn't apply as he isn't changing the headlight bulbs from halogen to LED.

[flash22]

Technically, the DRL/side light are part of the headlight housing, one of the reason not to use after market led's in headlights is the heat dissipation

[Avalon]

12 hours ago, FROSTYBALLS said:

In the OP's case he is replacing his daylight running light bulbs, which are T20's and not headlight bulbs, and in any case has since decided to go with halogens.  I've already indicated that for him the change in MOT requirements doesn't apply as he isn't changing the headlight bulbs from halogen to LED.

You’re still focusing on the MOT wording, nobody is saying the op is replacing his headlight bulbs, what I am saying is legally he can’t replace his DRL’s with LED’s either and that has nothing to do with the MOT criteria, it’s the law:

https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1989/1796/schedule/2/made

 

c) Any other vehicle manufactured or first used on or after 1st October 1990:	An approval mark or a British Standard mark

[FROSTYBALLS]

Whatever.