“There are, however, several caveats that kick in at this point. Firstly, the quality of units coming onto the market is extremely variable – and there is a genuine fear that these LED lights are just too powerful and will dazzle oncoming motorists. Alas, the design of many low-quality LEDs, which are built for target price rather than target quality means that this can often be the case. “Secondly, in the case of headlamps, in particular, there are issues with both heat dissipation and also the effect that installing an LED retrofit can have on your vehicle’s electrics. It is not uncommon for various warning lights to come up on the vehicle dashboard after an LED retrofit. “Thirdly, and probably the largest elephant in the room is the fact that legislation lags way behind technology. Regulations are all based around bulbs with filaments and, of course, LEDs don’t have them. Currently, in the UK all retrofit LEDs though not illegal to buy or sell - are currently only legal for off-road and competition use. If your vehicle turns up for a MOT with retrofit LEDs, MOT Stations have standing instructions to fail it, irrespective of any other issues and it is an offense to drive on UK roads with them. “In many parts of Continental Europe, things are starting to change and in half a dozen countries in Europe – including notably, Germany and France, Philips now has LED bulbs that have been passed to be road legal. The UK, has not yet followed suit and there is currently no date to review matters. “There is a full selection of Philips HID Xenon upgrade bulbs, and Lumileds also produces Philips LED retro-fit LED headlamps, signalling and interior lights for all vehicle applications - all tested, controlled and certified to the highest ECE requirements, fulfilling the necessary performance and safety criteria to make them suitable for replacing halogen bulbs for all motoring circumstances.” Richard added: “The situation with retrofit LEDs is somewhat ironic because any number of tests will prove that a well-designed retrofit LED will set new standards for performance and safety. That said, overall, better bulbs light up the road more effectively and this is, of itself, reason enough to justify a lighting upsell, because headlights are, arguably, the best-value safety upgrade it is possible for customers to make. Lumileds therefore urges resellers and workshops to educate their customers about the benefits of upgrading headlights.” For more information, visit: www.philips.co.uk Natural fit Being able to get hold of the right lighting components is clearly key. Richard Coxon, Sales Manager at Ring, TPS’s Tier 1 supplier for Quantum lighting products, said: “The rigorous testing procedures we apply to our lighting products are on a par with those Volkswagen Group use in manufacturing their Genuine Parts. It’s what makes TPS such a natural fit for us as a supply partner, providing them with Quantum bulbs for their customer network. “The quality assurance TPS’s independent garage customers can point to in their conversations with their customers about Genuine Parts is the same with our bulbs and lighting products. It’s a great opportunity for garages to sell lighting products to their customers, confident in the knowledge that Quantum bulbs are among the most rigorously tested in the market.” Richard continued: “For garages and mechanics, bulbs, while a consumable part, present a great opportunity to maximise sales and profit. “Firstly, if a bulb is out, always replace in pairs. The other bulb may well blow soon if part of a pair, like a set of headlights or brake lights. The customer won’t thank you if charged for replacing a bulb and the paired bulb fails a short time later. Secondly, help motorists stay ahead of the game. Lighting failures from blown bulbs is the most common failure at MOT time. So, when a vehicle comes in for a service or repair, do a quick scan of the external lights. If they are all working, great, if not there is the opportunity to sell an additional service.” Richard added: “Thirdly, ask about upgrades. If a headlamp bulb needs replacing, instead of automatically replacing with a standard bulb, ask the customer if they would like a brighter whiter light. They might say no, but there will be motorists that want more light on the road and never knew they could get it.” Precise Headlight testing is also a vital part of the process, as MAHA UK Managing Director Neil Ebbs observed: “Headlight technology has improved at such apace that it is almost impossible for the human eye to judge a headlight pattern and assess whether a headlight is in the correct position. Independent technicians and MOT testers, therefore, require a precise headlight alignment tester to ensure they can do their job to the best of their ability, while supporting the safety of their customers and those around them.” “MAHA UK’s MLT 1000 is an analogue headlight alignment tester that can produce quick and reliable testing and results. It displays a vehicle’s headlight on a projection surface with a percentage scale with accuracy. The MLT 1000, along with the MLT 3000 digital headlight alignment tester, is DVSA-approved and is trusted in independent workshops and dealerships around the UK. Following installation, a member of MAHA UK’s team of service will illustrate how the MLT 1000 works. What’s more, a MAHA engineer will pay the customer a visit every six months, subject to a contract, to calibrate the equipment, to ensure it remains in peak condition.” Not everyone is staying up to date though, as Neil pointed out: “MAHA UK is aware of some workshops that continue to use a 30-year-old headlight tester, mounted to an MOT bay, but that simply won’t do the job anymore – the lens won’t be capable of measuring new matrix LED bulbs. On the MLT 3000, for instance, via camera technology, electronic software can make the decision whether a headlight, irrespective of how many LEDs are present, is aligned correctly or not. It changes how people interpret what they’re seeing, subject to DVSA’s pending specifications.” Below: Osram Night Breaker Laser Xenarc SEPTEMBER 2023 AFTERMARKET 45 www.aftermarketonline.net
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