MOT/Advisories/Headlamp Aim

Headlamp Aim Advisory

Minor
Can drive
£25–£60

What does this advisory mean?

Your headlight beam angle is off—too high, too low, or misaligned. This reduces your visibility at night and can dazzle oncoming drivers. Usually caused by suspension wear or impact damage. Quick and cheap to fix.

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Why does this happen?

  • Suspension wear causing vehicle height change
  • Accident/impact damage
  • Loose headlamp mounting bracket
  • Worn suspension components
  • Incorrect tyre pressure affecting ride height
  • Deterioration of adjustment mechanism

Quick answer

Headlamp aim is minor but safety-relevant—poor visibility increases accident risk. Fix within 2–3 months. Adjustment costs £25–£60 and takes minutes.

Seriousness & safety impact

Headlamp aim is a minor advisory but impacts night-time visibility. Beams that aim too high dazzle oncoming traffic (safety + legal risk). Beams too low reduce your own visibility. Fix soon.

Ownership signal: Headlamp aim issues often recur if suspension is worn. If you see this repeatedly, have suspension inspected—it's the underlying cause.

Signs alignment is off

  • Light hitting pavement too close (beams too low)
  • Oncoming drivers flashing lights at you (beams too high)
  • Uneven illumination (one beam higher/lower)
  • Reduced visibility at night despite headlights on
  • Vehicle sitting lower on one side (suspension wear causing misalignment)

Real DVSA wording

"Headlamp beam aim is not correct" / "Headlamp beam is not correctly aligned"

Testers measure beam height and angle. Too high/low is flagged. Simple adjustment corrects most cases.

Quick & cheap fix

Garage adjustment: £25–£60 (5 minutes)

DIY (if accessible screws): Free (check handbook for adjustment points)

Many MOT centres offer free re-adjustment after passing. Some garages will adjust while you wait.

Check suspension too

Headlamp misalignment is often caused by suspension wear changing ride height. If this happens repeatedly, have suspension checked—a worn shock or spring is the real issue, not the lights.

Related advisories

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Last reviewed: July 2026 · MOT data sourced from DVSA · Editorial Policy