billytheghillie Posted December 20, 2015 Report Share Posted December 20, 2015 Its not very often I drive at night, but was driving back from my daughters about 22.30 Saturday night. Was mainly on A roads, and the oncoming traffic,s headlights were dazzling! Is it just me or do modern cars have more powerful lights? I actually flashed at some vehicles, thinking they still had the main beam on, but was shocked when they flashed back at me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rodp Posted December 20, 2015 Report Share Posted December 20, 2015 Yep, too bright and too high. Think they come out of the factory with beam set high and don't think mot station bother nowadays Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mossy835 Posted December 20, 2015 Report Share Posted December 20, 2015 they do check it for mot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stonepark Posted December 20, 2015 Report Share Posted December 20, 2015 They are a bit brighter in general (more efficient bulbs and reflectors) but as above a lot of people can't set their lights properly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ditchman Posted December 20, 2015 Report Share Posted December 20, 2015 i stopped on the way back from Brundall the other night and verbally abused a cyclist with some sort of new LED cycle lamp...it was so bright i lost control of the landy and skidded to a stop on the verge...it was akin to being blinded by a laser......... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luckyshot Posted December 20, 2015 Report Share Posted December 20, 2015 they do check it for mot. They are suppose to check them for mot but a lot don't bother. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robbiep Posted December 20, 2015 Report Share Posted December 20, 2015 They are suppose to check them for mot but a lot don't bother. I've never known a garage NOT to check headlight alignment during an MOT test. If you have proof of garages not carrying out the test properly, then I suggest you provide that proof to VOSA for further investigation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rodp Posted December 20, 2015 Report Share Posted December 20, 2015 Well, ok, perhaps they do check them but ever heard of anyone being failed for it ? It's quite obvious it's ignored as there's so many motor around now with dipped beam too high. I've never known a garage NOT to check headlight alignment during an MOT test. If you have proof of garages not carrying out the test properly, then I suggest you provide that proof to VOSA for further investigation. Yeah, like you're going to report your tame mot station :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luckyshot Posted December 20, 2015 Report Share Posted December 20, 2015 (edited) I've never known a garage NOT to check headlight alignment during an MOT test. If you have proof of garages not carrying out the test properly, then I suggest you provide that proof to VOSA for further investigation. If I reported every garage for not carrying out the mot properly I would have no where to take my car. I know my motors are right before I take them so I'm not bothered about them missing the odd thing. Edited December 20, 2015 by Luckyshot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rupert Posted December 20, 2015 Report Share Posted December 20, 2015 Modern type headlights are massively more powerful, the also project a flat beam at a predetermined height set by manufacturers and monitored at mot time, The downfall is these only work to parameters if the lens is clean as dirt causes the beam to lose its normally well defined upper edge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sishyplops Posted December 20, 2015 Report Share Posted December 20, 2015 I had an Audi A4 s line with xenon lights that were automatic height adjustment they were stupid bright, great to drive with but way too high, I used to adjust the down on the unit screws but every service or mot Audi put them back up again, it was embarrising how many people flashed at me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
longspoon Posted December 20, 2015 Report Share Posted December 20, 2015 My car has a manual setting for the headlamps so I can adjust them with regard to the weight distribution in the vehicle.....people in the back, lower the setting.......simples.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ben0850 Posted December 20, 2015 Report Share Posted December 20, 2015 Totally agree! I do nearly 40k miles a year and the number of mercs and audis now with white bright headlights that blind you is becoming a bloody joke! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farma Geddon Posted December 20, 2015 Report Share Posted December 20, 2015 i stopped on the way back from Brundall the other night and verbally abused a cyclist with some sort of new LED cycle lamp...it was so bright i lost control of the landy and skidded to a stop on the verge...it was akin to being blinded by a laser......... I got blinded by one too , it was brighter than a motorbike headlight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rjimmer Posted December 20, 2015 Report Share Posted December 20, 2015 They are suppose to check them for mot but a lot don't bother. I always have my dipped lights set as low as they will go, with the roller switch, but the MoT tester set them back up to get through the test. Now the roller switch doesn't work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robdab Posted December 20, 2015 Report Share Posted December 20, 2015 More annoying for me is the amount of vehicles having one headlamp out easily mistaken for a motorbike . They don't cost a fortune to replace and if you find it too difficult to change pay a small fee to halfrauds or a motor factor absolutely no excuse Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Westley Posted December 20, 2015 Report Share Posted December 20, 2015 I think that there is a minimum and maximum height for the purposes of MOT and a setting anywhere in between is OK. The Cyclops cars with only 1 headlight are far more dangerous, especially if it is the offside light that is out. I believe that Audi and BMW now offer indicators as optional extras too. More annoying for me is the amount of vehicles having one headlamp out easily mistaken for a motorbike . They don't cost a fortune to replace and if you find it too difficult to change pay a small fee to halfrauds or a motor factor absolutely no excuse They can cost a fortune to replace, with some Renaults costing up to £300 to change a headlight bulb. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stonepark Posted December 20, 2015 Report Share Posted December 20, 2015 Most led bike lights not really designed for road as most bicycle led lights do not have a cut off. My B&M (German) dynamo 120 lumen one does have a cut off and is EU approved but my Fluxient (2400lumen - 3 cree xml u2 leds) doesn't, but is only used when no traffic approaching or used to flash drivers who don't lower their main beams. For comparison most car bulbs (55w) do 1350 to 1650 lumens per bulb with the average being 1500 lumen, the most common used chinese single cree led lights do 800 lumens although as a point source it appears much brighter than a reflected main beam from a car.. Part of the problem is with cars doing up to 60mph on the road, SMIDSY (Sorry mate I Didn't See You) is common and the extra shine from a bright LED is very difficult to miss. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stonepark Posted December 20, 2015 Report Share Posted December 20, 2015 I think that there is a minimum and maximum height for the purposes of MOT and a setting anywhere in between is OK. The Cyclops cars with only 1 headlight are far more dangerous, especially if it is the offside light that is out. I believe that Audi and BMW now offer indicators as optional extras too. They can cost a fortune to replace, with some Renaults costing up to £300 to change a headlight bulb. Bad car design by the manufacturers, squeezing size of bonnet/front end down but making almost impossible to access panels to change bulbs. My old Corsa required about 1/2 hour to change a bulb due to very tight space (barely enough to get bulb out, never mind hand in to get it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Westley Posted December 20, 2015 Report Share Posted December 20, 2015 Bad car design by the manufacturers, squeezing size of bonnet/front end down but making almost impossible to access panels to change bulbs. My old Corsa required about 1/2 hour to change a bulb due to very tight space (barely enough to get bulb out, never mind hand in to get it. Hence the high number of Cyclops then ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OJW Posted December 20, 2015 Report Share Posted December 20, 2015 Totally agree! I do nearly 40k miles a year and the number of mercs and audis now with white bright headlights that blind you is becoming a bloody joke! I fully agree and also do a lot of miles, I don't know how they got passed as they are dangerous, it's a total joke. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scully Posted December 20, 2015 Report Share Posted December 20, 2015 I fitted some LED illuminated headlights designed for a Humvee to my Landrover this year and had them aligned by a local garage. They throw a very low horizontal arc of light but are very bright and I am occasionally flashed by oncoming traffic. Despite this I know they are legal and fitted and aligned correctly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billytheghillie Posted December 20, 2015 Author Report Share Posted December 20, 2015 I fitted some LED illuminated headlights designed for a Humvee to my Landrover this year and had them aligned by a local garage. They throw a very low horizontal arc of light but are very bright and I am occasionally flashed by oncoming traffic. Despite this I know they are legal and fitted and aligned correctly. Only in Cumbria Bet you got a custom bunnet holder fitted as well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drut Posted December 20, 2015 Report Share Posted December 20, 2015 They are suppose to check them for mot but a lot don't bother. As a retired MOT tester may I point out that when presented for test you must leave the headlight adjuster(if fitted)in the position when presented unless alignment is too low when you may raise it. i.e. a car may pass a test with headlights that are capable of dazzle when set to max height adjustment.Just one of the anomalies of MOT testing such as having to fail a vehicle for missing wheel stud/bolt but not allowed to remove wheeltrims to check.Mind you when I get dazzled Isometimes wonder myself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyeruk Posted December 20, 2015 Report Share Posted December 20, 2015 Really pleased i have read this thread. Im 57,wear glasses and thought it was just me. I live in a small village and get dazzled every day driving home. Its becoming that i really dont want to drive during the evenings as feel really unsafe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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