Since headlight alignment is part of the MOT, how come so many cars have dipped lights aimed too high? Is it deliberate?
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L\'escargot.
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They don't know what the little rotary dial does or which way is high and which way is low.
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I totally agree but also don't forget there are a lot of new cars that have had little prangs & lights haven't been set & don't get an MOT for three years, should be done anually. I have had vehicles in for their first MOT & already covered 180,000 miles already! a lot of older cars where drivers fit the 80/120 bulbs. It is very frustrating & dangerous so whats the answer, road side checks perhaps.
Doc
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My Almera had the headlights replaced under 'not a recall' by main dealer at service and MOT. I felt the RH was a bit high. At the next MOT it showed up as being set too high, the indie adjusted it as a matter of course.
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It's also quite suprising how far out a set of headlights can be on a new car. All my cars have had the lights set correctly as soon as possible after getting them.
There are also the problems of people not fitting replacement bulbs correctly. if they aren't located with the little tab thing they usually point to the moon.
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Another common problem seems to be that when a car is presented for MOT/headlight alignment check it is quite accpetable to adjust the height of the headlamp aim by using the little dial inside the car. This is assuming that both lamps are in equal need of adjustment.
Fair enough the lights leave the test at the correct level but as soon as the owner decides to play with that dial once again the lights go immediately out of the correct adjustment.
By my mind the headlamps should be aligned correctly with the dial on the '0' position, so any adjust afterwards via the switch makes the lamp aim go down not up. Afterall I believe its orignal intention was to compensate for load, not to make MOT time easier for the tester/mechanic.
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a proper tester would put the button at 0 anyway prior to testing
or should i say he should,if some arent?
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Just another sign of an inconsiderate motorist, probably closly related to the "fog lights in perfect visibility brigade".
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Just another sign of an inconsiderate motorist probably closly related to the "fog lights in perfect visibility brigade".
That will be the same type who replied to my telling them that 1 headlamp was out................
It's OK - "The MoT is not for another 2/3 months"
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New car headlights should be set at PDI. But the job is probably given to the same 16.Y.O. on £4.20/hour who puts an extra litre of oil in the sump and the reg. plate at a jaunty angle.
Most MoT'ers are sharp on headlights since its one of the easiest things for VOSA to catch them out on, should they happen to drop by...
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