Got my MOT next week and 1 headlight bulb and a side light bulb out. As is typically awkward on these cars they are on opposite sides so i will change the other headlight bulb while i'm at it and have a matching pair cos sods law says the good headlight bulb will blow as soon a i put it back together.

time is now 4.30. start the clock.

All done. 36mins. Only 1 small graze

just washed my hands, better make that 10 small grazes!!!!!!

Take the wheel off, remove the wheel arch liner and it's a piece of cake. Unless JTD's have more engine things in the way :S the 1.2's a doddle anyway What was your "how to change a headlight bulb in 10 small grazes" method?

battery out, then unclip and move the battery tray to one side. tried the inner wing way once but didn't get on with it - lack of seeing everything clearly.

rattystilo said:

battery out, then unclip and move the battery tray to one side. tried the inner wing way once but didn't get on with it - lack of seeing everything clearly.

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that's the way i always do mine washer bottle out or battery tray squish. easy peasey.

Yes both those ways I used to use too.

Hardest thing I always found was getting the cover back on the headlight, Sometimes it would go on first time others could be ages.

i need to do my side light on the passenger side, i have been trying for ages to do this, the fog lights was easy, as was the side light bulbs closest the side of the car, i just put it on full lock and took the inner plastic arch off easy but the inner side light bulbs are pain the arris still can't get mine out lol, need to do it in the next week as i have a my mot soon

Battery out job rat. Then unclip the plastic battery surround and you then have access to the panel. If you have std headlight bulbs change them at the same time to osram night breakers or Philips vision plus (i think) the std bulbs are rubbish

rattystilo said:

Battery out job rat. Then unclip the plastic battery surround and you then have access to the panel. If you have std headlight bulbs change them at the same time to osram night breakers or Philips vision plus (i think) the std bulbs are rubbish

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Thanks dude, i put osram nightbreaker plus in my foglights and i have got the smd side light bulbs and i am going to changes the headlight bulbs too although they are very bright i will pull the battery at teh weekend and change the bulbs properly

rattystilo said:

battery out, then unclip and move the battery tray to one side. tried the inner wing way once but didn't get on with it - lack of seeing everything clearly.

Click to expand...

Can you elaborate on "unclip". Does this require a spanner?

5mm Allen key to remove the battery cover. 10mm open end spanner to remove battery leads, 10mm socket on battery retaining strap. Once the battery is out the plastic surround lifts up a bit and will unclip from the base. You can then push it toward the engine giving plenty of clearance to get to the bulbs. Don't forgot to disconnect the cable to the lights. Good luck

Not bad timing ratty , I've just done mine AGAIN myself... for the passenger side I can get away with just unbolting the top of the water bottle and bending it out of the way. I got away with removing the battery cover, turning the wheels to full right lock, removing two screws from the wheel arch liner and squeezing a hand in. Probably the quickest I've got both sides done yet

I've been through Bosch Super Whites, Osram Nightbreakers and Ring 120% Xenon's. The Rings were definitely my favourites but with doing a lot of night driving they were only lasting me 6 months... Have now found that Osram do a bulb with a 3 year warranty that can be found on autobulbs direct. They don't look too yellow at night but time will tell if they're worth it...


What bulbs did you opt for ratty?

I went for Philips Vision Plus bulbs but I might not even get the chance to test them. Seriously looking at selling the car.