UKMOT.com MOT Manual 1.6 Headlamp Aim

1.6 Headlamp Aim

Information	Method of Inspection
This inspection applies to: All obligatory headlamps, and optional (additional) dip beam headlamps.	To check headlamp aim
	1. Position the vehicle on the designated headlamp aim standing area.
Type of headlamp
The aim of headlamps must be checked on main or dipped beam according to their type. See diagrams 1,2 or 3 on pages 10-12, which include details appropriate to each headlamp type. These methods of inspection involve the use of beam checking equipment with a collecting lens.	2. Follow the headlamp tester manufacturer's user manual instructions, and
	a. align the headlamp aim equipment with the longitudinal axis of the vehicle
	b. align the centre of the collecting lens with the centre of the headlamp under test
Masks or converter kits
Right hand dip headlamps can be temporarily altered for use in the UK by fitting masks or converter kits which remove the beam 'kick-up' to the right A headlamp altered in this way is not a reason for rejection, if a. the headlamp aim is not rejected for the reasons listed under diagram 1 (except that the top of the beam image will be a straight line) b. the light output is not unduly reduced- not usually a problem with commercially produced kits c. the mask or converter is securely attached	3. With an assistant sitting in the driving seat, switch on the headlamps to the beam on which the headlamp is to be checked. Note: When checking headlamp aim on vehicles with hydropneumatic suspension systems, it is necessary to have the engine idling.
Driver's beam control
Where these are fitted the beam aim should be tested without altering the controls setting except where this would result in failure for beam aim being too low, in such cases the beam aim should be re-checked with the control set at its 'highest' position.
4. Determine the appropriate headlamp beam image and its aim (see diagrams 1,2 and 3). Old vehicles (approx. pre 1950) headlamps beam image may not conform to either diagrams 1,2 or 3. In such cases check dip beam headlamps are aimed so they do not dazzle, ie the beam image brightest part is aimed at least0.5% below the horizontal or for headlamps which cannot be checked on dip beam, check main beam headlamps are aimed so that the beam image centre is on or slightly below the horizontal
Information
This inspection applies to: all obligatory headlamps, and optional (additional) dip beam headlamps.
Type of headlamp The aim of headlamps must be checked on main or dipped beam according to their type. See diagrams i, Z or 3 on pages 10-12, which include details appropriate to each headlamp type. These methods of inspection involve the use of beam checking equipment with a collecting lens.
Masks or converter kits Right hand dip headlamps can be temporarily altered for use in the UK by fitting masks or converter kits which remove the beam 'kick-up' to the right.
A headlamp altered in this way is not a reason for rejection, if
a. the headlamp aim is not rejected for the reasons listed under diagram 1 (except that the top of the beam image will be a straight line)
b. the light output is not unduly reduced not usually a problem with commercially produced kits c. the mask or converter is securely attached
Driver's beam aim controls Where these are fitted the beam aim should be tested without altering the controls setting except where this would result in failure for beam aim being too low. In such cases the beam aim should be re-checked with the control set at its 'highest' position
Method of Inspection
To check headlamp aim
1. Position the vehicle on the designated headlamp aim standing area.
2. Follow the headlamp tester manufacturer's user manual instructions, and a. align the headlamp aim equipment with the longitudinal axis of the vehicle b. align the centre of the collecting lens with the centre of the headlamp under test
3. With an assistant sitting in the driving seat, switch on the headlamps to the beam on which the headlamp is to be checked. Note: When checking headlamp aim on vehicles with hydropneumatic suspension systems, it is necessary to have the engine idling. Determine the appropriate headlamp beam image and its aim (See diagrams i, Z and 3).
Old vehicles (approx. pre 1950) headlamps beam image may not conform to either diagrams i, Z or 3. In such cases check · dip beam headlamps are aimed so they do not dazzle, ie the beam image brightest part is aimed at least 0.50/o below the horizontal or for headlamps which cannot be checked on dip beam, check · main beam headlamps are aimed so that the beam image centre is on or slightly below the horizontal
	European type headlamp - Characteristics a. an asymmetric dipped beam pattern with · a distinctive horizontal cut-off on the right, and · a 15 degree wedge of light above the horizontal (the'Kick up') towards the left
b. a lens with one or more asymmetric stepped patterns moulded in the glass
c. a lens may carry a European approval mark - a circle containing an 'E' and a number, or .a rectangle containing an 'e', and a number
The European approval mark should incorporate a single or double-headed arrow. A dipped beam is denoted by either: · a capital letter'C' above a capital 'E' · a capital letter'C' above an 'e'
Reason for Rejection
Note: Setting 'E' Beam Headlarirp Aim Repairs or adjustment must not be carried out during an MOT test.
These dip-beam headlamps should be set to aim downwards the amount shown on a marking which is either close to the vehicle manufacturer's plate or the headlamp.
For vehicles without a marking, the downward aim should be set to i 1.3%, if the headlamp centre is not more than 850 mm from the ground 2.0%, if the headlamp centre is more than 850 mm from the ground
1. The beam image'kick-up' is to the offside.
For headlamps with centres not more than 850 mm from the ground the beam image horizontal cut-off is not between the horizontal 0.5% and 2% lines, ie the red tolerance band.
For headlamps with centres more than 850 mm from the ground, the beam image horizontal cut-off is not between the horizontal 1.25% and 2.75% lines, ie the blue tolerance band.
4. The beam image 'break point' is · To the right of the 0% vertical line, or · To the left of the vertical 2% line
	Reason for Rejection
	1. The 'hot spot' centre is above the horizontal 0% line.
2. The 'hot spot' centre is to the right of the vertical 0% line, or to the left of the vertical 2% line.
3. For headlamps whose centre is not more than 850 mm from the ground the 'hot spot' centre is below the horizontal 2% line.
4. For headlamps whose centre is more than 850 mm from the ground, the 'hot spot' centre is below the horizontal 2.75% line.
British American type (checked on main beam)- Characteristics:
a. headlamps tested on main beam have a symmetrical main beam pattern with a central area of maximum intensity (hot spot)
b. this type of lamp generally has a circular lens which may be marked with a figure 1 followed by an arrow indicating the direction of dip
	British American type (checked on dipped beam)- Characteristics: a. an asymmetric dipped beam pattern with an area of high intensity intended to be directed along the nearside of the road
b. a circular lens marked with the figure Z which may also have an arrow showing the direction of dip
British American type (checked on main beam)- Characteristics:
a. headlamps tested on main beam have a symmetrical main beam pattern with a central area of maximum intensity (hot spot)
b. this type of lamp generally has a circular lens which may be marked with a figure 1 followed by an arrow indicating the direction of dip

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Reproduced from the MOT Inspection Manual by kind permission of THE VEHICLE INSPECTORATE.

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1.6 Headlamp Aim