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Hi, I am aware that it is illegal to retrofit an existing halogen bulb with a LED bulb, see 18. https://vehicleinspection.nzta.govt.nz/virms/in-service-wof-and-cof/general/lighting/headlamps. However according to note 8 it is legal to replace the entire headlamp unit. I want to install these LED headlamps https://www.powerfuluk.com/vehicles/land-rover/defender/lamps-light-upgrades/land-rover-defender-headlights-full-led-black-rhd-8212.html into my 1995 Land Rover Defender but they are marked e8 not e2 as per figure 4-1-1, are these lights compliant?

Hi there,
The NZTA are currently reviewing the Headlamp standards and so things could change, but for now the WoF rules states: It is permitted to replace a complete halogen headlamp unit with a complete HID or LED headlamp unit. If the vehicle is required to meet an approved safety standard for headlamps, only approved headlamps can be retrofitted (see Figure 4-1-1).
Vehicles required to comply with an approved headlamp standard are:
vehicles of class MA and NA manufactured on or after 1 January 1992
vehicles of class MB, MC, MD1, MD2, MD3, MD4, ME, NB and NC manufactured on or after 1 January 1996.
A 1995 Defender should be classed as an MC off-road 4wd passenger vehicle.
The other issue would be making sure that the Performance Criteria of the lights are met- according to the current WoF regulations. As outlined in your first link.

Thanks Cade but I am still unsure from your answer whether an e8 certification is compliant with NZ standards

The NZTA would be the ones who can answer that one, It's not listed specifically in the "approved standards" but the "E" letter is the ECE standards marking and the number relates to the country "8" being Czech. However in your situation this is not applicable as the vehicle is not required to meet a headlight standard and so the E8 standard is not be required to be proven.