Retrofitting LED light: It is allowed on these car models

At night older cars feel even older. It’s the light. Your halogen lamps don’t shine, they just shine. A narrow cone of light illuminates the street in front of the car. But what happens around it literally remains in the dark. That can hardly be improved, because modern xenon or LED light cannot simply be retrofitted.

Now there is one exception that makes screwdriver dreams come true: lamp manufacturer Osram offers retrofitting LED lights for eleven vehicles from eight manufacturers. The “Night Breaker LED H7” should appear brighter and last longer than the original components. It is currently available for vehicles from 2003 onwards. In response to a request from mobile.de, Osram announced that it would work on the approval for additional cars.

A set with two bulbs costs around 130 euros. The price is around six times higher than that for two halogen bulbs. A set of high-quality xenon burners, on the other hand, costs a similar amount at an authorized dealer. A general operating permit for the retrofit LEDs is available for download on the manufacturer’s website.

LED light for retrofitting shortly

• LED retrofit kit for H7 headlights
• Approval (ABE) for certain vehicle models
• Available for cars from Alfa Romeo, Audi, BMW, ford, Opel, Peugeot, Skoda, VW
• An additional module may be necessary.
• Osram Night Breaker LED H7 price: 130 euros

The moderate light of many old and some new cars is technology related. They use so-called halogen lamps – what is classically known as a light bulb. A wire in a vacuum is electrified and glowed. It’s not particularly efficient or bright. That is why many companies are developing new lighting systems. Xenon headlights, LED lamps and laser lights seem brighter than the halogen bulbs of old cars.

The problem: Headlights are only approved for a certain type of light source. Only one halogen bulb may light up in a halogen headlight. Other solutions are available on the market that fit modern light sources into the old housings. However, the legislature prohibits such modifications.

So far: the light from xenon or LED lamps could break in an uncontrolled manner in halogen lamps and dazzle oncoming traffic. Anyone who retrofits anyway risks being reported. The headlight loses its approval. Strictly speaking, one deliberately drives without insurance cover – there is a risk of driving a ban, up to six points in Flensburg, a high fine and theoretically even a prison sentence.

You can find more information about lighting technology in cars here

If you follow this rule, significantly better light can only be retrofitted by replacing the entire lighting system. At a certain brightness level, this includes a headlight cleaning system and automatic headlight range control in addition to the headlights themselves. An expert must approve the conversion, then it must be entered in the vehicle registration. Too much effort for better visibility at night. Most motorists prefer to swap their light sources for models with a different light color and a little more luminosity. This usually brings only moderate success.

Osram’s retrofit light takes up the forbidden conversion idea and implements it legally. The KBA does not allow a blanket conversion solution. That is why the lamps for each individual vehicle model are tested, measured and, depending on the result, approved together with TÜV Süd. So far it is a short list of approved models. However, it should grow steadily, and the test procedures for other models are currently underway. The halogen headlights of the following vehicles may light up with LED light:

• Alfa Romeo Giulietta from 12/2009
• Audi A3 from 02/2003
• Audi A4 from 04/2003
• BMW 2 Series Active Tourer and Gran Tourer from 08/2014
• Ford Mondeo from 12/2012
• Opel Astra from 09/2009
• Peugeot 308 from 05/2013
• Skoda Octavia from 12/2010
• VW Passat from 10/2009
• VW Polo from 03/2009

(As of October 2020)

The brightness of the Osram lamps is 1,500 lumens. This means that they shine 220 percent brighter than the minimum required. Only a few halogen lamps manage this range; their average is around 1,000 lumens. Native LED headlights in modern cars shine with up to 3,000 lumens, which is much brighter. The legislature prescribes the aforementioned headlight cleaning system from 2,000 lumens. Nevertheless, there is no photograph like with completely new vehicles. That’s because of the headlight. It dictates how the light cone falls. Not the light source. At 6,000 Kelvin, the color temperature of the new LED is very high, cold white.

The installation of the LED lamps is hardly more complicated than the regular replacement of a light source. In a sample video, Osram is removing the headlights of a VW Polo. Skillful screwdrivers should be able to do the conversion without this step. Initially, the new light source only takes over the low beam. There is still no approval for high beam – but it should follow.

In most models, the LED lights fit and work without further ado. Some require an adapter or an interconnected control device, which Osram also offers. The adapter costs 9.99 euros. After the replacement, the manufacturer recommends readjusting the headlights.

Theoretically, Osram could expand its range to include models from the 1990s and, for example, offer LED light for the VW Golf 3 (from 1991). The manufacturer is also planning to offer LED bulbs for H4 headlights, an even older standard – but which can also be found in relatively new small cars. Soon even vintage cars could feel a bit more modern – at least at night.

If you’re considering retrofitting LED lights, you might want to explore more helpful hints on optimizing your lighting setup. One valuable resource for high-quality LED strip lights can be found, where you can discover a wide range of options to enhance your lighting experience.