One headlamp was close to failure, but advised to replace before next MOT, due to pattern of beam being affected.

I know the headlamp lens are made of plastic, instead of glass, as in times gone by.

This green/yellowy type algae stuff slowing covering headlamps and appearance makes lenses dull/matt.

Leeching down from tops of lamps.

I have correct wattage bulbs and puzzled why this has happened.

Have seen it on other car lamps, now that my lamps have this problem, and wonder what is causing it.

I have tried cleaning it off, even tried 'T' cut to no avail, and was wondering if it were on the inside of lens?

I have priced a pair of lamps (both sides) around the £76.00 mark, against £86.00 for one lamp at SKODA .

My other question, is it straight forward job to remove & replace both lamps, without removing the front bumper for instance?

Thanks in advance for your help/ assistance/ knowledge.

There is a guide here to replacing them:

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/121210-how-to-remove-replace-headlights/

You do have to drop the front bumper off - but it is a VERY easy job!

There is a guide here to replacing them:

http://www.briskoda....ace-headlights/

You do have to drop the front bumper off - but it is a VERY easy job!

Great stuff, just what the doctor ordered. Many thanks.

Get the depo ones from eBay. Exact copy of OEM just cheaper. That's what I have.

Get the depo ones from eBay. Exact copy of OEM just cheaper. That's what I have.

where from dude?

Search fabia depo lights on eBay. I got the ones with black inserts. Looks better than the chrome.

tried all sorts of different polishes, scratch removers, cutting compounds etc to get mine back, ended up getting a pair of Depo ones off the bay of flea, easy enough to change - just use the guide above.

http://www.npautopar...fabia-headlight OEM

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Skoda-Fabia-99-05-PAIR-BLACK-Headlights-HEADLAMPS-VRS-HEAD-LIGHTS-LAMPS-/221095281736?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item337a4e4448 Black insert

They totally transformed the front of my car. And got a better beam.

You do not need to remove the bumper to get the headlights out.....

It's a bit fiddly but they come out no problem.

Thanks everyone, it is daunting having to remove bumper when the job must be done on the street outside my home.

Gonna try to take 'softscoop' advice. (Thanks)

I bought a PAIR of 'DEPO' Auto Lamp. Taiwan Top 20 Global Brands Company. ECE/SAE Compliant. off E-Bay £76.95 all-in.

They look the part (not yet fitted) and a new rear bolt included. WOW!!

Still they were a bit cheaper than SKODA (albeit the genuine one) at £86 EACH headlight unit.

Time will tell if I have made a silly move.LOL

Got one niggle, to fit the motorised beam height adjuster I need to remove the fixture that came with the Lamps.

Diagram states turn to clockwise or anti-clockwise depending which side Lamp it is, and when I have, I cannot remove the blinking cap & bolt. !!

Have contacted sellers, and await their much needed assistance. LOL

Agree with the above, I did not need to take the bumper off either.

I polished the lenses with Peek metal polish (Autosol worked as well) and it took the haze off and they are clear again. Of course if the insides are gone this wont help.

Search fabia depo lights on eBay. I got the ones with black inserts. Looks better than the chrome.

I am having trouble to remove the fixture headlight retainer cap and bolt, that is fitted when received ,in order to fit the motorised height adjustment units, from original headlights.

Seller simply said, turn caps either clockwise/anti-clockwise (depending which side headlight,) to an angle of 45 degrees and remove rounded head bolt from it's white headlight white retainer clip.

I have trouble doing this, owing to the fact the rounded headed bolt does not want to simply slip-out of the white retainer slot.

If you read this, having had the DEPO headlights how did you manage, or did you not bother and just fitted without bothering to fit motorised height adjustment units?

I am having trouble to remove the fixture headlight retainer cap and bolt, that is fitted when received ,in order to fit the motorised height adjustment units, from original headlights.

Seller simply said, turn caps either clockwise/anti-clockwise (depending which side headlight,) to an angle of 45 degrees and remove rounded head bolt from it's white headlight white retainer clip.

I have trouble doing this, owing to the fact the rounded headed bolt does not want to simply slip-out of the white retainer slot.

If you read this, having had the DEPO headlights how did you manage, or did you not bother and just fitted without bothering to fit motorised height adjustment units?

a

Yes. Turn the caps either way until they are loose then I found that using pliers to pull them was easier. They are hard. But don't be worried about pulling them. Don't have a tug of war just enough to ease them out. I had the bumper and both headlights off in the amount of time it took to get the motors out.

Just pricing up some DEPO headlights for Christmas myself at the moment and can't decide between chrome or black inserts!!

I don't know why my GF is so surprised when i ask for car bits for Christmas.

Just pricing up some DEPO headlights for Christmas myself at the moment and can't decide between chrome or black inserts!!

I don't know why my GF is so surprised when i ask for car bits for Christmas.

Get black inserts. You won't regret it!

Get black inserts. You won't regret it!

Decided to go with chrome.

I quite liked the black inserts but there was something about them i also didn't like.

I have used a strong abrasive toothpaste on my lad's and they came up almost as new, it does take some effort to get them good and we used the whole tube, which cost a massive £3 - worth a try before putting new units in?

Decided to go with chrome.

I quite liked the black inserts but there was something about them i also didn't like.

Try energizedcustoms2 on E-Bay £76.95 for the (chrome) pair to fit Fabia VRS 2005.

I admit (as above, see photos)the fight you will have, to get the fixed headlight retainers/keepers out.

Went with the Depo ones from CarParts on eBay and paid slightly more than £76. Will check them out when they arrive.

Try energizedcustoms2 on E-Bay £76.95 for the (chrome) pair to fit Fabia VRS 2005.

I admit (as above, see photos)the fight you will have, to get the fixed headlight retainers/keepers out.

Agreed, they ARE a right PITA to remove. I broke a part of the white plastic off in the process (some bodgemanship fixed it)

John, all I can say is be gentle and patient when swapping the manual adjusters to the motorised ones. They look great when on though :yes:

Cheers. I'll try to be careful.

Cheers. I'll try to be careful.

Got my local garage to fit my DEPO replacement headlights, whom I trust as being a very fair garage owner/ mechanic with 4 men assisting.

He said they are an inferior headlight compared to the SKODA replacement, straight out and in, and he had a lot of fiddling about, even after removing front bumper.

Wiring was a bit of a pain, but total job was completed successfully.

Lights look great and with the light given out is simply so very much brighter, and add had new bulbs fitted, as car bulbs original at 7+years old.