LED headlight bulbs and the MOT: what is legal in the UK
LED headlight bulbs are legal for the MOT only if they meet strict colour, pairing and approval rules set out in the MOT inspection manual.
Headlamp colour requirements
The colour of light from headlamps must be white, predominantly white with a blue tinge, or yellow. In a four-headlamp system the outer pair does not need to match the inner pair in colour. The precise position of lamps is not part of the inspection, but you should check visually that they are at about the same height and the same distance from each side of the vehicle. These rules apply to all mandatory headlamps during the test.
Matched pairs and beam rules
Main beam and dipped beam headlamps must form matched pairs. Lamps are matched when they emit substantially the same colour and intensity and are the same size and shape. You must test all mandatory headlamps. Mandatory headlamps are a matched pair of main beam headlamps and a matched pair of dipped-beam headlamps. These can be separate or a single pair of headlamps. Lamps are matched if they emit light of substantially the same colour and intensity and are the same size and shape that they are symmetrical to each other.
Halogen to LED conversions
Existing halogen headlamp units on vehicles first used on or after 1 April 1986 must not be converted to high intensity discharge light sources. A halogen headlamp unit fitted with an LED replacement light source may be accepted where the LED source has been ECE approved for use in that lamp and is supported by a corresponding manufacturer-issued approval sticker. The tester will look for this during the inspection to confirm compliance.
ECE approved LEDr light sources
An approved LEDr source must carry a manufacturer-issued sticker that is permanently fixed to the vehicle and visible to the tester. The sticker must show the LEDr category, rated voltage, ECE approval number and manufacturer name, plus an anti-counterfeit feature such as a hologram. The approval sticker must be readily visible to the tester during inspection and must display the LEDr category designation for example H11 LEDr along with the rated voltage and ECE approval number.
What the tester checks
The tester checks presence, condition and operation of mandatory headlamps. Damaged or repaired lamps are assessed for security. Lamps are matched if they emit light of substantially the same colour and intensity and are the same size and shape. If two are fitted neither the main beam or dipped beams need to be a matched pair. You must assess damaged or repaired lamps for security and correct operation.
Shop the kit
Cloudy lenses cut light output just as badly as the wrong bulb. Restore them with headlight restoration fluid, and run through the rest of the checks with our MOT prep kit or the pre-MOT checklist.
Check your MOT date and history free at CheckMOT.
Checked on 17 October 2026 against MOT inspection manual, section 4 (GOV.UK) https://www.gov.uk/guidance/mot-inspection-manual-for-private-passenger-and-light-commercial-vehicles/4-lamps-reflectors-and-electrical-equipmentFrequently asked questions
Can I fit any LED headlight bulbs?
Only ECE approved LEDr sources with the correct approval sticker are accepted on post-1986 vehicles.
Do both headlamps need to be the same colour?
Yes for matched pairs; outer lamps in a four-headlamp set may differ from the inner pair.
What happens if my bulbs are the wrong colour?
Headlamps showing the wrong colour of light can fail the MOT, so stick with bulbs that are approved for your headlamp.
Are precise lamp positions checked?
No, but lamps should appear at roughly the same height and distance from each side of the vehicle.