Headlamp aim too high or too low
How it can appear on an MOT certificate
- “Headlamp aim too high”
- “Headlamp aim too low”
- “Headlamp aim not within limits”
What it is
Headlamps are set to light the road ahead without dazzling oncoming drivers. The MOT checks the beam pattern and where it points.
Why it matters
Lamps aimed too high dazzle other drivers; too low and you can't see far enough ahead. It's usually a simple adjustment, sometimes caused by a replaced lamp or a load-levelling fault.
What to check when viewing a car
This is often fixed during the MOT itself. If it keeps coming back, the headlamp levelling system may have a fault.
Has the car you're looking at had this before?
Free: every MOT, every defect explained in plain English, mileage, tax and ULEZ.
What the MOT categories mean
- Dangerous
- A direct and immediate risk to road safety, or a serious impact on the environment. The car fails and shouldn't be driven until it's repaired.
- Major
- It may affect the car's safety, put other road users at risk or harm the environment. The car fails and should be repaired straight away.
- Minor
- No significant effect on safety or the environment. The car passes, but it should be repaired as soon as possible.
- Advisory
- Something to keep an eye on that could need repairing in future. The car passes.
Related: lights and number plates
- Headlamp lens damaged or not giving enough light
- Lamp not working (bulb out)
- Number plate lamp not working
- Number plate illegible or incorrect
- Headlamp main beam warning lamp not working
Buying a used car?
General information about this type of MOT defect, not advice about a particular car. How serious it is depends on the car; have any car you're buying inspected by a qualified mechanic.