changing headlights

[Terencegwyn]

Hello All,

          We are in the process of buying in Normandy, nr Vire, and will be taking our car with us with the intention of registering the vehicle in France. The car is a Nissan Almera Tino (2002 model) and will need to have the headlights changed to "point" in the right direction.

          Does anyone have any knowledge of a suitable garage to have this work done in the Vire area, or even could I have it done in the U.K., obviously immediately before leaving the U.K.

                                       Many thanks

                                                       Terry

[derf]

You have a several options.

1: do nothing, your car does not need an mot here until it is 4 years old so you could register it without the need for a H/lamp change.(I would still advise that at least you go with the no. 2 option)

2: Blank off the area on the lens that would avoid blinding oncoming motorist, you may be able to buy in the UK, headlamp protectors from Nissan with the area already taped off for continental driving. 

3: Ask a Nissan agent in the Uk if you can change/buy just the glass lenses for europe, you will certainly be able to order the complete R/H drive head lamp units from a Nissan dealer, the price may be a bit of a shock though, there are many motor factors in the UK that you may be able to order lenses or H/Lamp units from a little cheaper.

4: Try and obtain them from a scrap yard in France (not very likely).

[Nick Trollope]

Any garage will change the headlights, your problem is going to be obtaining a "LHD" set. As your car is not yet 4 years old, and therefore does not yet need a CT (assuming it is not a 2001 reg, 2002 model year), then you could of course register it before changing the lights - will give you a few months to source the replacements.

 

[Eslier]

Even if your car is less than four years old, and therefore not requiring a CT, once you have re-registered it as a French vehicle you are legally obliged to ensure that it is roadworthy in all respects that a French car should be. If you were to drive on French plates and without having the correct headlamps fitted then your car would not be legally roadworthy. This could result in you being pulled over by the police and in the worst case scenario having the car impounded.

I would strongly recommend that you have replacement headlamps fitted as soon as you arrive in France. Just look up your nearest Nissan dealer who will be able to do this for you. They will probably need to order the headlamp units in so expect to make two visits.