The MOT Files

Section 4 · Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment

4.1.6 Headlamp cleaning devices

Manual indexed

Quick answer

Sub-section 4.1.6 of the MOT inspection manual covers headlamp cleaning devices and lists 2 defects. A reference like "(4.1.6 (a)(i))" on a certificate points to the matching row below.

Official wording

The defect clauses

  1. 4.1.6 (a)(i)Minor

    Headlamp cleaning device inoperative

    Headlamp not working explained: what it means and what puts it right

  2. 4.1.6 (a)(ii)Major

    Headlamp cleaning device inoperative in the case of LED or gas discharge systems (HID)

    Headlamp not working explained: what it means and what puts it right

Wording and categories reproduced from the DVSA inspection manual under the Open Government Licence. Frequencies are items per 100 failed class 4 tests across the DVSA anonymised MOT dataset; a clause with no figure was not recorded often enough to appear in any model’s top forty failure items. 2 of 2 clauses link to our own explanation.

Grading

What the categories mean

Dangerous
a direct and immediate risk to road safety or the environment. The vehicle fails and must not be driven until repaired, even to a garage.
Major
a defect that affects safety, the environment or other road users. The vehicle fails.
Minor
a defect with no significant effect on safety or the environment. Recorded on the certificate; the vehicle passes.

The full guide to defect grading

Section 4

Other sub-sections of lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment

All sections of the manual

Common questions

What does 4.1.6 mean on an MOT certificate?
It refers to sub-section 4.1.6 of the MOT inspection manual, "Headlamp cleaning devices", within section 4, lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment. The letter or letters after it — (a), (b)(i) and so on — identify the specific defect from the 2 listed here. 1 Major and 1 Minor.
Which headlamp cleaning devices defect is recorded most often?
None of the clauses in this sub-section appears among the most-recorded failure items nationally; they are rare in practice.
Does a Minor defect fail the MOT?
No. a defect with no significant effect on safety or the environment. Recorded on the certificate; the vehicle passes. Major and Dangerous defects fail. A Dangerous defect also means the car must not be driven until it is repaired.