MOT failure on headlight

[manxmann]

Looking for a bit of advice guys. Just had the bike down for the MOT and it failed on the headlight. The bloke said that the headlight isnt giving a light pattern. i have a set of HIDs fitted that i got of les and they have not been a problem during the last two MOTs. I also have one of the touratech plastic headlight guards fitted. If anyone can give me a clue to what could be the problem it would be a great help

 

[fizzer]

did you try taking the plastic guard off.

 

[earthmover]

I think you've answered your own question. The plastc guard is great for protecting the light, crap at letting light through. I have Les's HID's fitted to my bike and have never had a problem at MOT time.
Mark

 

[Posh Pete]

Same reason my Honda Accord failed its test last year! Plastic lens now a bit old plus very rainy weather meant condensation on the inside.

My solution was to give the plastic lens a careful clean with a mild abrasive (T cut, Brasso etc). Then take the car for a run with the headlights on to burn off the moisture. Took it back and passed no bother. Removing your plastic headlight protector will probably have the same result.

 

[manxmann]

just been having a look at the headlight. just above the buld, the reflector has lost a bit of its shine due to the HID bulbs being fitted. Could that me enough to stop a light pattern?. will take the guard off as matter of course. Cheers for all your help guys

 

[Bobbin-Man]

Also worth giving the inside of the lens a good clean - use a stick, cloth and a bit of spray cleaner such as mr sheen to poke through the bulb holes and wipe the inside. I was quite astounded how dirty mine had become, in fact it was quite milky in appearance. Looked like new after cleaning!

 

[ihandyman247]

Looking for a bit of advice guys. Just had the bike down for the MOT and it failed on the headlight. The bloke said that the headlight isnt giving a light pattern. i have a set of HIDs fitted that i got of les and they have not been a problem during the last two MOTs. I also have one of the touratech plastic headlight guards fitted. If anyone can give me a clue to what could be the problem it would be a great help

Try and go for a MOT at the BMW dealer , they know how to help you out specialy if you have HID's

 

[Mrs C]

Try and go for a MOT at the BMW dealer , they know how to help you out specialy if you have HID's

I think Manxmann is in Northern Ireland so that wouldn't be an option. They have a dozen or so specific MoT test centres across the country rather than retail garages who are licenced to do MoT tests.

 

[Deleted account 190920001]

Try and go for a MOT at the BMW dealer , they know how to help you out specialy if you have HID's

Depends on how friendly they want to be. Any advisories and fails come up instantly on their computer as soon as they put the reg number in. Many MOT testers refuse to test when this happens and simply refer you back to the original tester for a retest. VOSA apparently get interested when a different tester passes a previously failed vehicle.
You can run but you cant hide now that it is all computerised.

 

[Tomcat]

just been having a look at the headlight. just above the buld, the reflector has lost a bit of its shine due to the HID bulbs being fitted. Could that me enough to stop a light pattern?. will take the guard off as matter of course. Cheers for all your help guys

I had a similar problem with "burn" of the low beam reflector on my GS fitted with HID. It never led to an MOT fail, but is something that is worth being aware of. I had the HID fitted for 3+ years. It's possible that the "burn" might continue to the point where the reflector (ie entire lamp) may need to be replaced. I've sold the bike now so I don't know if the problem has got any worse

 

[Grey Beard]

Touratech specifically state in their catalogue/website that the plastic head lamp guard is NOT certified for road use and should only be used for off road. It is not TÜV certified, nor is their metal headlamp guard.

I think the plastic guard is just a push on fit so can be easily removed for the MOT test, etc.

Grey Beard

 

[ihandyman247]

Touratech specifically state in their catalogue/website that the plastic head lamp guard is NOT certified for road use and should only be used for off road. It is not TÜV certified, nor is their metal headlamp guard.

I think the plastic guard is just a push on fit so can be easily removed for the MOT test, etc.

Grey Beard

Correct

 

[Glyno]

Touratech specifically state in their catalogue/website that the plastic head lamp guard is NOT certified for road use and should only be used for off road. It is not TÜV certified, nor is their metal headlamp guard.

I think the plastic guard is just a push on fit so can be easily removed for the MOT test, etc.

Grey Beard

Same down here. I remove mine before taking it for the ITV

 

[t'other dave]

What is the wording on the refusal? I only ask as when mots went computerized there was only options for to high/low and to left/right which I asked about on my last refresher course, only for the instuctor to draw a blank when looking into it. I used to fail a few aftermarket streetfighter style headlights for no beam pattern.
Dave


Ps it may have been ammended now just not noticed.

 

[tosh23]

My first thought was " the bulb/lamp is upside down". but what do i know..

 

[manxmann]

The wording on the MOT refusal says nearside, TO LOW and at the bottom of the page it has a heading, Other defects and it says Headlamp - incorrect alignment.
What more do these f***ers want? Lots of bright light shines out the front

 

[Neil W]

Sick to death of vehicles not designed to take HID's that have been fitted with them.
Rider/driver might be able to see okay but they blind every poor sod coming the other way especially in wet weather.

 

[cookie]

Sick to death of vehicles not designed to take HID's that have been fitted with them.
Rider/driver might be able to see okay but they blind every poor sod coming the other way especially in wet weather.

i believe it's more a matter of adjustment than unsuitability of reflector. i don't think my GSA's HIDs dazzle anyone. no one's ever complained or flashed me anyway.

 

[Myke Rocks]

Same MOT centre

The wording on the MOT refusal says nearside, TO LOW and at the bottom of the page it has a heading, Other defects and it says Headlamp - incorrect alignment.
What more do these f***ers want? Lots of bright light shines out the front

With an R1200RT with HIDs everywhere.

No problems at all, but I did get the dip beam set on a beamsetter after I bought the bike becuse it was illuminating the front wheel instead of the road.
Suggest you do this. It will also help you see where you are going.

Myke

 

[crawling finn]

Might be worth checking that the reflector is firmly fixed. It can easily pop out form the adjuster socket if pressed too hard.