This document lists the inspection requirements for vehicle lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment, applicable to private passenger cars and light commercial vehicles
This document outlines the inspection standards for vehicle lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment during MOT tests. It covers headlamp alignment, switching, compliance, and defect categories. It applies to cars and passenger vehicles, including specific rules for tricycles, quadricycles, and older vehicles. Testers must follow precise beam aim criteria and lighting requirements for different lamp types.
The guide includes diagrams for testing headlamp aim and specifies defect categories for failures. It also addresses exceptions for vehicles pre-1931 and pre-1969 buses, and provides rules for lamp color, symmetry, and mounting. No repairs are allowed during an MOT test, but minor adjustments to headlamp aim are permitted.
You must test all mandatory headlamps: a matched pair of main beam and dipped-beam headlamps, which can be separate or a single pair.
European type lamps are checked on dipped beam; British American type are checked on main beam. Beam aim must meet specific horizontal and vertical tolerance lines.
Defects are categorized as minor or major. For example, if more than half the light sources are not functioning, it’s a major defect.