Headlights Alignment: How To Align Headlights For An MOT

An MOT test evaluates your car based on its road worthiness and safety features, involving dozens of interior and exterior checks. One particular check includes:

• How well your headlights function
• If they're misaligned

While headlights alignment can seem minor, in March 2016, a new MOT policy for car headlights intensified the testing standards. It now stresses the importance of correct alignment, stating it shouldn't just be a quick check. As such, partly or fully misaligned headlights can be caught by an MOT inspector and lead to a failed test.

While upsetting, this isn't done thoughtlessly. Misaligned headlights can harm your visibility on the road; by failing to shine directly ahead and down, they cause blind spots or low visibility of the road itself. Likewise, headlights that shine too high can blind oncoming drivers or vehicles driving ahead of you, as the primary beam will not be directed on the road itself. This can lead to accidents and unsafe driving.

So, what causes headlights to fall out of alignment, how can you tell, and what's involved in fixing them? Here's what you need to know to pass your MOT test:

How To Check Headlight Alignment

Checking the alignment of your headlights can be done by yourself at home, or with the help of a mechanic during a service visit. If you undertake it personally, you will first need to prep your car:

• Remove any excess weight from the car, such as items in the boot, as these may give you an incorrect reading
• Ensure that your tyres are inflated to the manufacturer's recommended pressure
• Park your car about 60 cm away from a wall or garage door
• Once your car is in position, push down on each corner of your vehicle to ensure that the shocks are level.
• Then, measure the distance to the ground from both front headlights to ensure the suspension is level.

Now you can turn the headlights on, making sure they're on the standard setting and not the "beam" or "fog light" settings.

• The headlights will produce a circle shape on the wall.
• Mark a plus (+) sign on the wall using two pieces of tape or a pencil.
  • One line should go vertically from the top of the circle to the bottom
  • The other line should go horizontally from side to side.
• Where the two lines meet in the middle is the centre of your headlights.
• The centre of both plus signs should be the same height, so use a tape measure to check.
  • If they aren't, you may need to lower one plus sign, so that they are the same height.
• Once you're happy with your marks and they're both the same height, reverse your car, so it's about eight metres from the wall.
  • If the middle of your headlights still fall within your markings, then you don't need to make any adjustments.
  • If they are falling above, below, or to the side of the plus symbols, then you'll need to realign your headlights.

How To Adjust Headlights

If your headlights need adjusting, this will only take a few minutes.

• Start by locating your headlight adjustment screws. Check your owner's manual to determine where they're placed on your car

  • In most cars, you must remove the trim from around the** headlight**. You should find them located within the headlight housing.
  • If you can't find them, they may be located behind the battery. In this case, you need a professional to adjust your headlights for you.

• Once you've located the screws, turn the lights off. This will prevent the area from growing too hot.

• There should be a screw to adjust the lamp vertically and another screw to align it horizontally. Do each adjustment one at a time.

• Use a screwdriver to turn the appropriate screws clockwise or counter-clockwise, until they're at the correct level. You will see the headlights tilting in response.

• Turn your headlights back on to see if further adjustment is required.

• If they're even, then you're done.

It may be worth checking the manufacturer's guidelines, as they can tell you the height your headlights need to be at, as well as how to take the headlight casing off. This can save you guesswork.

How To Adjust LED Headlights

It's especially important that LED bulb headlights are aligned properly. Because they are brighter than standard headlights, they can more easily distract or blind other drivers, which is dangerous. You can align your LED headlights in the same way as described above.

What Is A Headlight Beam Setter?

A beam setter is a device that can track your headlight alignment for you, so you don't have to measure everything and mark tape on the walls. This headlight setter is what most MOT testers use to check your car's headlight alignment.

The beam setter contains a light lens, which is mounted on an adjustable rail. The headlamp is aimed through the lens and a measurement is taken manually by looking at the beam pattern that has been projected onto a screen.

Post-Headlight Adjustment – MOT Checklist

After you've fixed the alignment of your headlights, it's worth checking on your other vehicle lights. The Ministry of Transport states that 30% of all MOT failures relate to lighting and signalling features, and that one in five cars have an issue with lighting, such as blown bulbs. As such, be sure to verify that:

• Your indicators, brake lights, and fog lights are working properly.

• They must be secure in their casings, which shouldn't move when they're pushed.

• The lights must be appropriately bright and the correct, legal colour (white, white with a slight blue tinge, or warm white).

• The light casing shouldn't be cloudy or foggy.

• If you find water vapour building up regularly, you must seal the headlights to be waterproof.

If you'd like a professional to look at your headlights before MOT testing, get in touch with your local Autofusion centre. From correcting alignment to repairing issues and even conducting the MOT test ourselves, we're glad to help.