What has changed?
For years, fitting an LED bulb into a headlamp designed for a halogen bulb was treated as a mismatch between the light source and the lamp. On most cars first used from 1 April 1986, that meant a failed headlamp at the MOT.
MOT special notice 05-26 changes this for one specific product: ECE approved LED replacement bulbs, known as LEDr. These are bulbs that have been type-approved to replace a particular halogen bulb in a particular kind of headlamp. From 14 October 2026, testers must accept them in compatible halogen headlamp units.
Which vehicles does it cover?
The rule applies to MOT classes 3, 4, 5 and 7: light three-wheelers, cars and vans, larger passenger vehicles, and goods vehicles between 3,000kg and 3,500kg. It does not cover:
- class 1 and 2 motorcycles
- halogen headlamps converted to HID (xenon) bulbs
- full replacement LED headlamp units
What does the MOT tester check?
The key is an approval sticker that must be permanently fixed to the vehicle where it can easily be seen during the test. The sticker shows the bulb category and variant, the rated voltage, the ECE approval number, the manufacturer's name, and a security feature such as a hologram. Designs can vary in size, shape and colour.
The tester only has to confirm that the sticker is there. They do not have to look the approval number up in a database. The headlamp must still meet every other requirement, including aim, condition and the colour of the light.
What still fails?
The headlamp fails with the major defect "light source and lamp not compatible" if:
- an LED replacement bulb is fitted but there is no sticker
- the sticker cannot be read
- the sticker appears to have been tampered with
- the sticker clearly does not match the bulb fitted
Cheap "plug and play" LED bulbs sold without approval do not qualify, however bright they are. If you are not sure what is in your headlamps, keep the original halogen bulbs for MOT day.
What this means if you are buying a used car
Headlamp and lighting faults are among the most common reasons cars fail the MOT. When you look at a car's history, a fail for "light source and lamp not compatible" usually means a non-approved conversion was fitted. Check the car's full record with our free MOT history check, and see how serious each kind of defect is in our guide to MOT advisories and defects.
Questions drivers ask
Will LED headlight bulbs fail the MOT?
Approved LED replacement (LEDr) bulbs in compatible halogen headlamps pass from 14 October 2026, as long as the approval sticker is fixed to the vehicle and can be seen. Unapproved LED bulbs, or approved bulbs with no sticker, still fail.
What is an LEDr bulb?
An LED replacement bulb that is ECE type-approved to replace a specific halogen bulb in a compatible headlamp. It comes with an approval sticker for the vehicle.
Where should the LED approval sticker go?
It must be permanently fixed to the vehicle where it can easily be seen during the MOT. DVSA has added a sample sticker to section 4.1.4 of the MOT inspection manual.
Does the new rule apply to motorcycles?
No. Class 1 and 2 motorcycles are not covered by MOT special notice 05-26.
Sources
- DVSA: MOT special notice 05-26, approved LED replacement bulbs in halogen headlamps
- DVSA: MOT special notice 01-21, headlamp conversions (withdrawn)
Facts checked against the sources above on 22 October 2026. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.
