Swap headlights from LHD to RHD

[Leon_FR_Owner]

Hi, I have a Spanish Leon FR (2019) with full LED pack, LHD. I want to register it in the UK. I've had the rear lights swapped for UK ones, and was told that the headlights were MOT compliant and would be OK. However the car failed the IVA assessment due to the headlights having a small kick up to the right.
I have been quoted silly money by the main dealer for changing the lights to UK spec, and told that it "might not work". When I asked for more details they said they had not done it before so weren't sure about it.

Has anyone here done this sort of thing? My questions are:
Are the mountings and electrical connectors the same for LHD headlights and for RHD?
Would any reprogramming be needed?

Not quite the same problem, but I found some info here: https://www.seatcupra.net/forums/th...set-for-driving-in-europe-swap-for-uk.477269/

Thanks in advance,
Steve

 

[DEAN0]

I would say that fitting RHD headlights should be a simple bolt in swap.
I am not aware of any bodywork changes ( bonnet, grill, front wings etc ) between lhd and rhd cars.

The rear would give the most issues due to fog and reverse lights on opposite sides but you have done that already.

 

[Leon_FR_Owner]

I would say that fitting RHD headlights should be a simple bolt in swap.
I am not aware of any bodywork changes ( bonnet, grill, front wings etc ) between lhd and rhd cars.

The rear would give the most issues due to fog and reverse lights on opposite sides but you have done that already.

Do you think any programming would be needed? I was thinking about the self-levelling function and the Motorway light setting.
Thanks
Steve

 

[DEAN0]

Do you think any programming would be needed? I was thinking about the self-levelling function and the Motorway light setting.
Thanks
Steve

Theoretically - levelling and motorway light wouldn't care if the headlights were lhd or rhd - they only affect the vertical movement of the light.

 

[Leon_FR_Owner]

Thanks @DEAN0

 

[ViperSlider]

MQB vehicle headlights in general have an array of different coding/programming needs on the modules due to their complexity. The modules and even the headlight units themselves are all addressable components to a degree. I'm trying to recall if this is true of the LED lights on our Leons (not messed around with Leon headlights much yet, that's next year) but I know that it is true of the A3 8V and MK7 Golf when they have any non-halogen optional lights replaced as ODIS is needed for programming so would likely be the same for us too.

The physical units themselves will just bolt in place, no difference there but the car will know that the headlights have been replaced, even if you keep the same modules.

I can't imagine there will be any wiring differences but that would be worth checking.

 

[Leon_FR_Owner]

Hi @ViperSlider if the headlights have lots of programming on the modules, I'm guessing that there could be problems when it tries to apply the existing parameters to different lights?
Could these problems be overcome by reprogramming? Maybe the local garage wouldn't have the knowledge to do that. I certainly don't.
Steve