6 replies to this topic

[leebob]

Hi all,my mini has failed it's mot on the headlights.the tester said there's no pattern just a glare from the bulb.so new bulbs fitted and still the same.the 2nd time around I bought new headlights and another set of bulbs and guess what? It failed on the same thing yet again.how can 2 sets of bulbs and 2 sets of lights have the same result? Is there any way around this? I couldn't find any sealed beams and don't fancy buying another set of head lights.thanks in advance

[mk1coopers]

This is the link to the MOT testers manual, it depends on what type of headlamp you have (halogen / British American ect) and the testing method, you need to see what you have fitted and go from there

http://www.motinfo.g...m4s01000802.htm

[leebob]

As far as I know they are h4 autoplas flats.i had the same in a previous mini and didn't have any problems with the mot which is at the same garage and its the same mot tester.

[mk1coopers]

The manual will give you the pattern he is looking for if they are halogen, this can be checked on a flat verticle surface (garage door / wall ect) you could get a friend with another mini round to see what their lights are like, or it sounds like you have a good relationship with the garage, could you work with them to solve the problem?

[bmcecosse]

Are the headlights fitted right way up?

[tiger99]

Are the correct lenses fitted? Someone may have changed the light units some time in the past, and used inappropriate parts. Possibly the bulbs you are using do not have the filaments in the same positions that the lenses/reflectors were designed for. With Minis being so old now, every car is likely to have some history of modifications, often not helpful.

In the very worst case, you would need to fit two new light units, fortunately not nearly as expensive on a Mini with standard 7 inch circulars as many modern cars.

[tommy13]

Follow the link to the testers manual given in a previous post. Navigate to section 1.8 and then use next page until you arrive at
European E beam headlight the yellow area gives the shape of the beam pattern on dipped beam. If you park your car a few metres away from a wall or garage door (better in the dark) then you should see this pattern. In particular you should see a well defined horizontal upper edge to the right of centre and then the "Kick up" to the left of centre at about a 20 to 30 degree angle. If you can see these on the wall then there's not much wrong with the beam pattern.
Factors effecting beam pattern are,
Buld incorrectly seated
Bulb manufacturing defect, usually locating flange incorrectly aligned with bulb body during manufacture.
Corroded or tarnished reflector
Lens dirty or condensation present
lamp not mounted with top of lens at the 12 o'clock position (usually difficult to achieve).

Edited by tommy13, 01 October 2012 - 09:07 PM.