FAQ

Do I need to inform my insurance company if I change exterior parts on my vehicle? Yes, always check before making any alterations to ensure you will still be covered. We’ve heard of some insurance companies increasing the premium if the exterior of a vehicle is altered, because it makes it more attractive to steal. Can I change the halogen bulbs in my headlights for xenon HIDS? According to the Department for Transport (DFT), in their view: “It is not legal to sell or use aftermarket HID lighting kits, for converting conventional halogen headlamps to xenon HID. If a customer wants to convert his vehicle to xenon HID they must purchase completely new xenon HID headlamps. The reason for this is that the existing lens and reflector are designed around a halogen filament bulb, working to very precise tolerances. If one places an HID ‘burner’ (bulb) in the headlamp, the beam pattern will not be correct, there will be glare in some places and not enough light in other places within the beam pattern.”

So can I fit an aftermarket xenon HID headlight unit if I can’t legally uprate the halogen bulbs in my existing headlights? Yes, but you must fit an E-marked headlamp unit (type approved to ECE 98), which shows it has been tested and approved. Plus, each headlight must have a method of cleaning itself and be self-levelling (if the car’s suspension is selflevelling, this is acceptable). Also, the dipped beam must stay on with the main beam and the headlight unit must be aligned and adjusted in the same way as any other headlight unit.