MOT and Headlamps

[chrisfell]

This was a first. Whilst my car was being MOT yesterday, I heard the tester say "I cant pass that."
Knowing I was waiting, and knowing that he'd tested the car for me for the last 14 years, he asked me to come and check. The near side headlamp was bleeding light over the cut off on dip. There was a distinct bloom of light where there should have been darkness. The bulb wasn't obviously unseated, nor was there any damage or contamination of the headlamp reflector or the lens or the glass cover. So it had to be the bulb.

Not having tools or a spare bulb to hand I tool the car away, returning it today with a replacement bulb fitted, but with the glass cover removed so I could use the beam alignment tool to reset the level.

It appears that the bulb was faulty, the reflector covering the dip filament just slightly out of kilter.

Like, I said a first.

Oh, by the way he said as I paid the fee, the rear anti roll bar bushes felt a little soft.
Not an advisory, but I'll get them relaced before the next MOT.

[cactusman]

Unusual. Was the bulb E marked? Mind you easy to fake an E Mark. I bought some off a well known auction site...complete shite they were too. Did not even bother fitting they looked so wonky. Bosch or Osram do nice 60/55 watt ones....

[chrisfell]

Not Chinese made eBay cheapie, but Lucas branded from a local motor factor. Just one of those things.