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beagle

Can anyone confirm if you do in fact need to change headlamps when you import? I get the impression that euro headlamps dip DOWN rather than to the right (i.e. the opposite way to UK dips) - is that true? Would my insurance company be concerned? or MOT inspectors? advice appreciated! Think

johnsandywhite

Hi again Beagle. I believe the new Eurolamps do not dip to the right or lamp but as you say dip down. Provided they do not glare into on-coming traffic on the right hand side of the road? They should pass the MOT/SVA test. Wink

beagle

thanks again Exclamation

maybe they could just be angled down a bit with the adjuster thing in the cab. That ought to do the trick - and one less expense Smile

Just bought a replacement speedo face from Superdials, so that's another thing sorted (as long as I can fit the thing!)

gaspode · Moderator

Hi Beagle

The issue with lights is not which side they dip to but which side of the beam is cut off low by the glass pattern (or nowadays the reflector pattern) to avoid dazzling oncoming traffic.
I can't answer for current Fiat models but my new imported Ford has reflectors which cut the beam off on the left (continental type). In order to cut the beam on the right for UK traffic the only way is to either blank the beam off to the right by using deflectors (black tape) or to fit lights with UK pattern reflectors. Dipping the beam using the adjusters may help but will not cure the basic problem. If you are patient it is only a matter of time before a set of headlights appears on Ebay at a knock-down price. About 12 months ago a brand new set of dials for a current Fiat van were on Ebay for a week without attracting a single bid at a starting price of £10.00. The seller had to re-list them and finally sold them for about £50 I seem to recall - still a cracking bargain. There are also plenty of specialist van dismantlers who will sell you perfectly useable light units.

Monty

My cheap & simple fix.

A couple of years ago I imported a 97 LHD Hymer 544 fitted with standard Fiat Ducato headlights.

Idea

I purcased a set of £7.00 LHD eurolights (Beam benders) on the ferry home & took them with me to my local MOT test station.

You are correct LHD headlights only dip down, but the pattern is such that a small portion of the light is still too high after adjustment.

Cool

My MOT tester fitted the Eurolights in the correct position to eliminate dazzling other drivers on UK roads while the MOT was carried out.

Idea

When I went on hols to France the following year I just left them on.

Hope this helps.

Mollythedog

I've just driven my lhd Knaus (Renault Master chassis) for the first time at night and sure enough the headlamp beams point downwards, not to the right or left.

On another point where can I get a replacement mph speedo dial for the Renault? Superdials can't source one for me.

Kevin

nukeadmin · Site Admin

well i got my Imported motorhome MOT'd two days ago and the story is i have headlights that kick up to the wrong side but all i did was prior to the MOT was put some masking tape on the kick up point on the lights, I havent changed the Speedo dials to mph as its not a requirement for the MOT and I can use GPS For speed indication if i need it in this country. I have removed the tape from the lights now as hardly ever drive during the night in mh in this country and if i did would simply use the electronic dipping facility on the dash to compensate (Or stick some tape back on)

Finally the only other thing I had to do for the MOT Was swap the lenses on the fog / reversing lights at the rear around and run alternative wiring to swap that around for each light as well.

Passed the MOT no problem and they were very anal, checking absolutely everything so I wasnt lucky, its road legal Smile

ralph-dot

This is all very odd, my MOT station would not pass the van with beam benders (he said that no station should), I had to get UK lights, the Speedo and reversing light makes no difference to passing test.

Ralph