Just get a set (good ones) and don’t tell them about it. the mot checker cant see whats inside the headlamp unit and cannot open it or touch the car during the mot. as long as it works it be fine.
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No wiring for me, my car had fogs fitted, so I simply replaced the incandescent bulbs with bright led bulbs
Hi I’ve just seen this post so I’m sure I’m far too late, even with a scuff there is no need to repalce your lights, I’ve restored many of my (three) daughters early cars using the following meathod, it is very labour intensive but works a treat if you take your time and are through.
Start off with 600 grit wet and dry and using LOTS of very soapy water, I use a strong solution of car shampoo, work over the whole light in one direction until the whole surface is mat, then gradually work through each grade of wet and dry paper until you get to the highest (read finest) grit you can find, now and again Halfords have 2500 grit in which is perfect. Once you’ve gon through all this dry of then begin polishing with T cut or farclar or any fine compound, after which I use auto glym polish, which has some cut in it then a really good hard wax. Et voila, a restored light which, if you keep it waxed, will not dull again.
The MOT regs about HID and LED are focused on the conversion of standard reflector type halogen lights with LED or HID bulbs. ( This causes issues due to the bright spot of the bulb not being in the correct position to use the reflector or prism lense for correct light output/pattern )
The MX5 ( at least in the NC variant ) is projectors - not reflectors.
A projector type headlight use a plate to create the sharp cut off pattern - not a shaped reflector bowl or prism lense.
I have been running HID in projectors on my bike for a few years now and they always pass the MOT with perfect beam pattern.
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From the MOT Inspection Manual, no mention of the difference between reflector or projector lamps that I can see here. Maybe bike MOT have different requirements.
“Existing halogen headlamp units on vehicles first used on or after 1 April 1986 must not be converted to be used with high intensity discharge (HID) or light emitting diode (LED) bulbs. If such a conversion has been done, you must fail the headlamp for light source and lamp not compatible.
This does not refer to complete replacement headlamp units which may be constructed with HID or LED light sources.
If a complete headlamp unit has been replaced with a unit that was manufactured with HID or LED light sources, it must not be failed for ‘Light source and lamp not compatible’ but it must meet all other requirements detailed in section 4 of this manual specific to the type fitted at the time of test.”
You don’t need to Tcut or polish them, if you do, the lamp lenses will fog up or go crusty again. All that is needed is a UV coating wiped over them.
I’ve just replaced mine for nightbreakers and can report a significant improvement.
Dipped are H7 pattern and are available in the nightbreaker range
Main beams are H9 (probably - although that’s a story) and I can’t find nightbreakers or similar anywhere in Uk.
Access is a fiddle so I decided to remove the wheel and arch liner to make the job easier and allow a little cleaning/checking/maintenance at the same time. Took no more than 45 mins per side.
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