Following a two-year collaboration with the Department for Transport and the DVSA, automotive bulb manufacturer OSRAM has secured a revision to the MOT test inspection manual, permitting ECE approved LED retrofit bulbs to pass testing.
Previously, Section 4.1.4 of the MOT manual mandated failures for halogen headlamp units converted to LED bulbs due to light source incompatibility. The updated wording reflects technological advancements, aligning test standards with the Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations 1989 for ECE R37 approved bulbs.
Under the new procedure, compliant LED bulbs must feature packaging containing a unique security sticker. Technicians must apply this sticker near the lamp housing to verify ECE approval for MOT testers during inspection.
Carl Harrison, Product Manager for Bulbs and Vehicle Lighting at OSRAM, said: “There has been a lot of work behind the scenes on this issue and we are thrilled the hard work of everyone involved has paid off. We want to thank the DVSA and Department for Transport for their assistance on this matter. There has been a lot of confusion on this subject for years, but with this change, we are moving forward with the technology on our roads and helping to keep drivers safe.
“Currently only OSRAM’s H11 and C5W types are included in the latest edition of UNECE Regulation 37, with a programme of further types being added over the next two to three years.”
Grant Thunder, Head of MOT at the DVSA, added: “We want to make it easier and quicker to identify ECE approved LED replacement bulbs. We’ve worked closely with the Department for Transport and lighting manufacturers to develop a practical way to identify these replacement light sources during MOT testing.
“ECE approved LED light sources will be sold with an approval sticker, which must be applied to the vehicle for MOT testers to identify whether an approved LED light source is fitted. This will make sure that those fitted with non-approved LED light sources continue to fail their MOT test.”
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