Volvo 480 Club Europe

New Mot rules have come out that have affected a few classic cars, but apparently so far have been
down to the Mot tester. This may be of interest to 480 owners although I am not sure why they are being made
What are the New MOT Rules?
According to the MOT inspection manual, existing Halogen headlamp units should not be converted to
HID or LED lights. LED lights cannot be fitted anywhere else on your classic car either unless they meet
ECE standard 128 and ECE standard 148. Very few bulbs available meet these standards. The inspection
manual states that the vehicle must be failed on the headlamps if a conversion has been completed.
The LED light rules were first introduced in 2018 and expanded upon in January this year. The initial
changes made in May 2018 banned HID conversions for halogen headlamp reflectors. This was extended
to include LED conversions in January 2021.

Fine by me, LED lights are a pet hatred of mine

Agreed, if you have LED or HID converted halogen headlights your car should not be on the road as you are a blinding menace to other road users.

Clemency granted for DRLs! I don’t like the. But understand why some go for them in this limited instance.

In agreement with this; whilst I love the concept of an led headlamp (brighter output, lower power consumption) as no-one had yet been able to produce something that:
A) isn’t fugly
B) acts as a headlamp rather than a WW2 searchlight

I’m out.

DRL’s: forced to use LED’s as I don’t want to melt my last decent pair of lenses.... the colour grows on me, but if there was a more incandescent colour, I’d be using those.

jifflemon wrote: ↑

Sat Apr 17, 2021 8:07 pm

In agreement with this; whilst I love the concept of an led headlamp (brighter output, lower power consumption) as no-one had yet been able to produce something that:
A) isn’t fugly
B) acts as a headlamp rather than a WW2 searchlight

I’m out.

DRL’s: forced to use LED’s as I don’t want to melt my last decent pair of lenses.... the colour grows on me, but if there was a more incandescent colour, I’d be using those.

on point A, don't tell Cranna I think you 'might' be able to get a decent set, but easier with decent halogen?

on DRL good point about the heat output although I thought you could get various colours, you can for the 'under kitchen lighting'
would look smart tied into the car stereo? AKA 1980's disco?

I can see a similar situation emerging like the number plates in the late 90's when everyone was having silly fonts.

Present for MOT with proper plates, drive out, fit silly plates.

Get stopped by police, sent to MOT station with a "producer slip"

Fit proper plate, get producer slip signed, fit silly plates....

LED conversion kits in exterior lamps have always been not road legal - so this is not a change, merely a clarification.