My car is kept permantly on the continent. I have not made any adjustments required to the headlights yet, but as it's getting darker and using headlights more often I'm getting the odd flash.

Could slap some Halfords beam benders on, but they will be on for long time presumably they will bond nicely to the lens never to be removed. Are there any alternatives, would LHD replacement lenses be possible or cost effective?

Luxy said:

My car is kept permantly on the continent. I have not made any adjustments required to the headlights yet, but as it's getting darker and using headlights more often I'm getting the odd flash.

Could slap some Halfords beam benders on, but they will be on for long time presumably they will bond nicely to the lens never to be removed. Are there any alternatives, would LHD replacement lenses be possible or cost effective?

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If you're staying permanently you should change your lights. I can't believe you'd even consider driving for any period of time on the continent with RHD lights......

my 500 has height adjusters you could aim, them lower but best bet is to get some LHD headlamps

in fact i have to opposite problem to you in having a LHD car in the UK

RobW said:

my 500 has height adjusters you could aim, them lower but best bet is to get some LHD headlamps

in fact i have to opposite problem to you in having a LHD car in the UK

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Why not swap lights with each other

if your car is permantly on the continent shouldn't you have to register it where you are and then get it mot'ed to the areas law requirements ? light bender thing magigys wouldn't cover it then ,new headlights would be required surely ?

Chunter said:

if your car is permantly on the continent shouldn't you have to register it where you are and then get it mot'ed to the areas law requirements ? light bender thing magigys wouldn't cover it then ,new headlights would be required surely ?

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In the UK mods to headlights have to be on the inside of the glass to pass an MOT, I had this with a Smart years ago. Although that was just a case of silver paint on the triangle bit inside the glass, now it is harder with the clear glass units.

Agree with above, a swap seems the obvious way forward!

Chunter said:

if your car is permantly on the continent shouldn't you have to register it where you are and then get it mot'ed to the areas law requirements ? light bender thing magigys wouldn't cover it then ,new headlights would be required surely ?

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Not if likely to be exported for less than 12 months, in which case it remains subject to UK law and taxation etc. So I understand anyway.

At this moment I don't know how long I will keep it out here, so I don't intend to go down the permanent export route as yet. So looking for a temporary 'permanent' solution to headlamp issue, I would want to keep RHD configuration headlamps for use on return to UK.

You can buy both LHD and RHD headlights on ebay

Rear foglight could also be an issue if ever kept abroad long enough to require an MOT (or equivalent) in that country.

Wow and I just though headlights went straight (and down). Wouldn't have even crossed my mind if I'd driven abroad.

In the UK mods to headlights have to be on the inside of the glass to pass an MOT

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Cut and paste from the manual...

Right hand dip headlamps can be temporarily altered for use in the UK by fitting masks or converter kits which remove the beam 'kick-up' to the right.

A headlamp altered in this way is not a reason for rejection, if

a. the headlamp aim is not rejected for the reasons listed under diagram 1 (except that the top of the beam image will be a straight line)

b. the light output is not unduly
reduced - not usually a problem with commercially produced kits

c. the mask or converter is securely attached

Zee

I wouldn't bother if I were you, when did you last see a european registered vehicles owner messing with there headlights when they come over here, they just dont.

Alfatwo said:

I wouldn't bother if I were you, when did you last see a european registered vehicles owner messing with there headlights when they come over here, they just dont.

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That's a pretty poor attitude to be taking.....

Ive driven on the continent, often in "organised touring holidays" where you are getting heavy attention from the police, Ive never even fitted beam benders (stickies on the outside) & never had a problem & dont know anyone who has. With the state of lights on many European cars I doubt they will notice. If you have height adjusters just tweak them down a bit.
I always carry beam benders in the glove box just in case Im stopped in the hope I can blag my way out of it.

Stuart J, I think that is an excellent idea, I will knock them down a setting, see how that goes. Carry on regardless!

Thinking about it, I might be making the 'flashes' up, they would need to be right on top of me to pick up any glare from headlights - might be just the Euro habit of warning of speed trap up ahead.

Luxy said:

Stuart J, I think that is an excellent idea, I will knock them down a setting, see how that goes. Carry on regardless!

Thinking about it, I might be making the 'flashes' up, they would need to be right on top of me to pick up any glare from headlights - might be just the Euro habit of warning of speed trap up ahead.

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Or it could be that they're telling you that they're getting glare from your lights.

But I think they would only be getting glare from lights if they are within the visible range of the headlights (ie where you can sort of see the edge of the dipped beam, if you know what I mean).

If the oncoming cars were beyond that range (which they were I think, as the heads on 500 are pretty dim!) then they would have unlikely to have been blinded by my headlights. More likely bumps in the road or my imagination.