HID Kits

[Bobdope2002]

:doh:

[KevG]

Tim, if you require the other set, then feel free to say to ZSx. If you can give ZSx the cash before I can (Next Week) then that set is yours if you want.

KevG

[arwilson80]

You still got these...?

I know it's been a while.

[Maxxed_Ross]

Originally Posted by ZS

Are they "E" marked though?

I didn't think any aftermarket kits were as they are all illegal

HIDs are a bit of a grey area

[Andyf]

They can be E marked but will not be type approved.

Been posted before but here it is again for information.

The Road Vehicle Lighting Regulations 1989 regulate the situation in the UK.
Under these Regulations, HID/Gas Discharge/Xenon headlamps are not mentioned and therefore they are not permitted according to the strict letter of the law.

However new vehicles have HID headlamps. This is because they comply to European type approval Regulations. The UK cannot refuse to register a vehicle with a European type approval. These are to ECE Regulation 98 (for the HID headlamps which are tested on a rig in a laboratory) and ECE Regulation 48 (Lighting Installation on the vehicle).

For the after market, a used vehicle cannot obtain type approval because it is only applicable for new vehicles. However we feel that saying "HID is banned in the after market" would not be reasonable. Instead we should make analogies with new vehicles. It would be reasonable to require HID in the after market to meet the same safety standards as on new vehicles. The same level of safety should apply.

Therefore a HID headlamp unit sold in the after market should:

1. be type approved to ECE Regulation 98 as a component.

2. when fitted to the vehicle should enable ECE Regulation 48 to be complied with (although no government inspection will take place).

3. Comply with RVLR as far as "use" is concerned.

In practice this means:

1. The headlamp unit (outer lens, reflector, bulb) shall be type approved to ECE 98 and be "e-marked" to demonstrate this. That can only be done by the headlamp supplier - Hella, Valeo etc. who must test the headlamp in an independent laboratory.

2. Once fitted to the vehicle it must have headlamp cleaning and self-levelling (which can be for the headlamp or can be in the vehicle suspension - some expensive estate cars have "self-levelling suspension" and that is adequate). Also the dipped beam must stay on with the main beam.

3. The headlamp must be maintained in good working order, kept clean, and aligned/adjusted correctly like any other headlamp.

Under the Road Traffic Act 1988 it is an offence to supply, fit or use vehicle parts which are not legal.

In summary it is not permitted to convert an existing halogen headlamp unit for use with HID bulbs. The entire headlamp unit must be replaced with one designed and approved for use with HID bulbs and it must be installed in accordance with the rules stated above.

[carmadbaker]

hmm.....may be time to remove them then! DOH!!

[KevG]

To let you all know I never bought ZS's HID Kits, so......

[KevG]

Originally Posted by carmadbaker

hmm.....may be time to remove them then! DOH!!

I won't, or until somebody from the ministry tells me too.

[Maxxed_Ross]

I've had HID's in both my ZR and ZS for nearly 4 years and not a spot of bother yet

and they're 10K... apparently the ones most likely to get you into bother!

[carmadbaker]

thanks gents leaving them on there then they work sooo much better, very impressed with them...be gutted to have to remove them