MOT Failure Headlamp

suze012

Hello,

I had a MOT for my car today a Ford Focus 08. We changed the Headlamp (dipped) a few months back. Which we thought went fine.

So today it failed it's MOT purely on that. It was at a local council MOT test centre so they can't do repairs or anything.

So the guidance was 'Offside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect' so the MOT tester said turn the light a half way.

So when we looked at it after I couldn't really see much wrong with it, but obviously believe them. My husband had a look at the light that we fitted and he thinks hes fit it incorrectly? Is that possible, can it still work even thought its not been fit right. The garage said they would re-test for fee so not worried about that. Just hope now hes sorted it, it will pass this time.

Anyone got any advice? Is this likely what happened? He's fitted it upside down? To be honest I am not 100% sure what mechanic was talking about as its a clip in, I thought at the time it was a screw in until I saw it after lol sorry I am not an expert on cars! What if we take it back and it still doesn't meet the requirement, will we be charged then? Anyone got any suggestions on how to test it its right?

Thank you

Own_My_Own

Try parking up against something so you can see the beam. Eg wall. Then make sure the beam is the same as the side they passed.

AndyPK

i guess the only sensible thing to do is take it out and refit it making sure it is fully located this time as best you can.

don't think you can fit them upside down. Well very difficult

Joe_Horner

A poorly fitted bulb will throw the beam way out.

To give an idea how much, our Daf has switchable lights that can be converted to LHD pattern for Europe. All the switch does is turn the bulb about 10 degrees in its holder. If you don't seat the bulb properly when chnging it you'll get much the same effect!

SteveJW

Very surprised that they failed it
I work at a council workshop, at the least we would have tried to re-seat the bulb, one of the lads has a box of bulbs and he would have given you one for beer money

colino

They can go in the wrong way and make the light scatter wrong, but half the problem is with people trying to break their wrists and squeeze their hands down the back to change the bulb. Much easier to pop the whole headlight out and change it properly - and it's quicker too!

Ectophile

Most of the headlamp bulbs I've seen have had metal lugs poking out of the base, so you can't actually fit them the wrong way round.

However it's entirely possible that the bulb isn't seated correctly - I've done that before. It all seems clipped in and looks right, but the angle is completely wrong.

red_eye

Suze012 wrote: »

Hello,

I had a MOT for my car today a Ford Focus 08. We changed the Headlamp (dipped) a few months back. Which we thought went fine.

So today it failed it's MOT purely on that. It was at a local council MOT test centre so they can't do repairs or anything.

So the guidance was 'Offside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect' so the MOT tester said turn the light a half way.

So when we looked at it after I couldn't really see much wrong with it, but obviously believe them. My husband had a look at the light that we fitted and he thinks hes fit it incorrectly? Is that possible, can it still work even thought its not been fit right. The garage said they would re-test for fee so not worried about that. Just hope now hes sorted it, it will pass this time.

Anyone got any advice? Is this likely what happened? He's fitted it upside down? To be honest I am not 100% sure what mechanic was talking about as its a clip in, I thought at the time it was a screw in until I saw it after lol sorry I am not an expert on cars! What if we take it back and it still doesn't meet the requirement, will we be charged then? Anyone got any suggestions on how to test it its right?

Thank you

and for those that say mot only stations are the best place to go, if you went to one that doies repairs they might have pulled the bulb and put it in the right way:p

now to the op
if you can see the bulb though the lens make note of the orientation of the bulb filament on the side that passed. if not, the bulbs have a notch so they only go in one way, 2 things you could try.

pull the plug, undo the clip and try to rotate the bulb. if its not seated it should turn.

or pull the bulb and use the force to feel for the notch/ bump/ cutout

forgotmyname

My MOT guy says he gets lots of headlamp faults when people fit cheapo bulbs from the £ shop or ebay etc.

Get a decent branded bulb and fit that. Then get your headlamps adjusted.

graham.senior

Wont Halfords fit you one for free if you buy it from them ? not 100% sure thought.

molerat

graham.senior wrote: »

Wont Halfords fit you one for free if you buy it from them ? not 100% sure thought.

No, £7 per bulb :eek: