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499 Posts
I've recently had to source some Left Hand Drive headlamps for my car, which I brought with me to Spain, registered and have passed 3 ITV's with no problems whatsoever.
It appears, that "whilst a few years ago it might have been OK to use light deflectors, it now isn't" - quote, unquote the ITV tecnico de inspeccion.
So, me being me, I asked, so that's the law here is it? might have been OK?
He, clearly surprised at my rather logical approach to the subject, bearing in mind that this thing went through full homologation, ficha tecnica etc., et bloody cetera., looked at me and said "I'm sorry, I have checked the system and there are no warnings on record, but the bottom line is that I can't simply let it go". With that, he passed the ITV, as it was their fault in the first place for not telling me at year zero, and told me that I had until the next ITV to put things right.
So, I called my local dealer - not much change out of €500 to get the pair
Looked on the web - Spains web is absolute sh!teman for this sort of thing. Not a spares search engine anywhere that wasn't main dealer based.
As a last resort, I called the UK dealer that dealt with my car when we were there. To my amazement, the cost is £180 for both LHD headlamps. The chap was most appologetic as "they're not cheap sir". I do miss that about the UK that's for sure - although I don't miss the "Can't help you, have a nice day!" ones.
Moral of the story - always check with blighty for spares if you find the Spanish suppliers are a bit steep. You could be pleasantly surprised.
Xose
It appears, that "whilst a few years ago it might have been OK to use light deflectors, it now isn't" - quote, unquote the ITV tecnico de inspeccion.
So, me being me, I asked, so that's the law here is it? might have been OK?
He, clearly surprised at my rather logical approach to the subject, bearing in mind that this thing went through full homologation, ficha tecnica etc., et bloody cetera., looked at me and said "I'm sorry, I have checked the system and there are no warnings on record, but the bottom line is that I can't simply let it go". With that, he passed the ITV, as it was their fault in the first place for not telling me at year zero, and told me that I had until the next ITV to put things right.
So, I called my local dealer - not much change out of €500 to get the pair
Looked on the web - Spains web is absolute sh!teman for this sort of thing. Not a spares search engine anywhere that wasn't main dealer based.
As a last resort, I called the UK dealer that dealt with my car when we were there. To my amazement, the cost is £180 for both LHD headlamps. The chap was most appologetic as "they're not cheap sir". I do miss that about the UK that's for sure - although I don't miss the "Can't help you, have a nice day!" ones.
Moral of the story - always check with blighty for spares if you find the Spanish suppliers are a bit steep. You could be pleasantly surprised.
Xose