Hello...

Just put my 98 Octavia TDI in for MOT today, and it failed on 3 things. Near and offside front position lamps not in good working order, so replaced headlamp bulbs. However, my offside headlamp aim is too low. The guy tried to adjust it, but apparently it wouldn't go - it's a great testing place, they don't do any other work so it wasn't a 'dodgy fail'. However, do I now need a new unit?

Any thoughts..

Dave

I suspect that the adjusters are sized up, and it might just need a little TLC and free off the threds with something like WD40, but suspect you might need a new unit.

The other thought has the car been in a bump !

Radiotwo

Edited 19 February, 200917 yr by DGW
Redundant quote deleted.

You could try the internal adjuster and see if that will bring both lamps up, although that would then mean the LH one would need adjusted down.

Hi... thanks for these thoughts. The front bumper is cracked, so it may well have been in a bump at some time.

I've used the motorised adjuster to bring the lights up, and I can't see much movement, so maybe something is siezed up. I'll have a try with a can of WD40 and see. Don't want it to be one of those things that looks fixed and then it fails again...

Been getting quotes for a new unit, and they're all around £80. Be great to avoid that if possible...

If the car's been bumped, then the fixed mounts might be out of true. You could probably fix that yourself by centring the adjustors, taking the headlight aim on a flat wall, removing the light, bending the mounts gently, checking the aim until it gets close to the same as the LH, then talking nicely to the MOT man.

Thanks Ken, I'll go and have a look at that now. My only worry is that they tried to do it themselves, to no avail...