Hi guys hope you are well.

Today, I had autobeam h7 led series 3 fitted to my fiesta today. The mechanic said it is good and has sharp cut off and flat beam and will pass mot. I saw that there is a kickup from the left headlight and very slightly from the right headlight. He said that is normal and is designed like this for UK roads? Is this true? 

My fiesta has projector lens.

Can anyone let me know if this is normal? I attached an image.

Autobeam leds: https://autobeam.co.uk/products/h7-led-performance?srsltid=AfmBOop2SrqJbNDEh3CKkn7i8SjlY9k-VMIHydixW18ToT96Me-0Spwq

 

UK Department of Transport.

Fitting an LED bulb in place of a standard H7 halogen bulb will cause an MOT failure for vehicles that originally had halogen headlamp units. This is because the MOT inspection manual explicitly states that it is not permitted to convert a halogen headlamp unit to be used with LED bulbs.

Just now, unofix said:

UK Department of Transport.

Fitting an LED bulb in place of a standard H7 halogen bulb will cause an MOT failure for vehicles that originally had halogen headlamp units. This is because the MOT inspection manual explicitly states that it is not permitted to convert a halogen headlamp unit to be used with LED bulbs.

Yes I know

54 minutes ago, Mo_718 said:

The mechanic said it is good and has sharp cut off and flat beam and will pass mot.

Then you already know that your mechanics statement is untrue.

30 minutes ago, unofix said:

Then you already know that your mechanics statement is untrue.

The beam pattern on my car looks exactly like a proper dipped UK projector pattern.

Projectors do NOT flood the whole road like reflectors especially on narrow streets with parked cars and buildings. I had no angry flashing towards me.

• I only tested the lights on urban streets with obstacles.

The video/images people compare are taken on completely dark, empty country roads from far behind the car, so the beam naturally looks much wider and brighter.

• Autobeam LEDs are specifically designed to match halogen focal points in projectors. You can check this on their website.

Tons of owners leave positive feedback with no MOT issues when the beam is correct.

4 minutes ago, Mo_718 said:

Tons of owners leave positive feedback with no MOT issues when the beam is correct.

I don't make the rules. You are free to do as you like. If the MOT tester realises that you have fitted LED bulbs to headlights that were originally halogen then they must by law fail the car.

If your car is involved in an accident, or causes an accident by dazzling other road uses then your insurance will be void. Again I repeat it is not me who makes the rules, I'm simply making you aware of the legal position on the use of LED bulbs.

5 minutes ago, unofix said:

I don't make the rules. You are free to do as you like. If the MOT tester realises that you have fitted LED bulbs to headlights that were originally halogen then they must by law fail the car.

If your car is involved in an accident, or causes an accident by dazzling other road uses then your insurance will be void. Again I repeat it is not me who makes the rules, I'm simply making you aware of the legal position on the use of LED bulbs.

Yh, I do understand where you are coming from. I have seen a lot people on here doing led retro fits and see that it is fine for the most part and technically is not legal.

The issue seems to be making the news lately:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cn971jlpvvro

https://www.roadtrafficlaw.com/dvsa-crackdown-why-your-bright-led-headlight-upgrade-is-an-illegal-uk-road-risk

https://www.aop.org.uk/ot/news/2025/11/13/turning-the-spotlight-on-headlight-glare

https://roadsafetygb.org.uk/news/headlight-glare-to-be-reviewed-as-part-of-road-safety-strategy/

 

12 hours ago, Eric Bloodaxe said:

The issue seems to be making the news lately

Yes, it wouldn't surprise me if the police run a campaign stopping cars to check for modified headlights this winter. Similar to the recent campaign checking drivers eyesight.

9 hours ago, pcaouolte said:

Yes, it wouldn't surprise me if the police run a campaign stopping cars to check for modified headlights this winter. Similar to the recent campaign checking drivers eyesight.

How easy is it to check if there's LEDs in instead of halogen? 🤷

25 minutes ago, Turvey said:

How easy is it to check if there's LEDs in instead of halogen? 🤷

Very.  If they looked the same colour, people wouldn't fit LEDs.

But also DVSA would be allowed to remove covers and even bulbs to check at a roadside stop, unlike MOT testers.

(Although I don't think they will do roadside stops for this.  There are far more lucrative ways to pay for the Xmas party.)

3 minutes ago, TomsFocus said:

 

But also DVSA would be allowed to remove covers and even bulbs to check at a roadside stop, unlike MOT testers.

On my Focus I found it easier to remove the headlights to change bulbs and on my current 'whip' you have to remove the battery for the driver's side and air filter box and snorkel to gain access to bulbs so can't see them wanting to do that by the roadside!

1 hour ago, Turvey said:

On my Focus I found it easier to remove the headlights to change bulbs and on my current 'whip' you have to remove the battery for the driver's side and air filter box and snorkel to gain access to bulbs so can't see them wanting to do that by the roadside!

Depends how much the fine would be I guess.  They do spend time on these checks.  It's not uncommon for them to pull modified cars and go over with a fine tooth comb until they find something to make the stop worthwhile.  The same happens with truck checks.  (Although probably not for refuse trucks!).