Sorry for the very specific post but I am due to pick up my vRS hatch very soon (confirmed its in the UK  ) and bring it over to Germany.  The British Forces Germany (BFG) rules used to state that you had to swap your headlights for LHD version (even Xenons!).  However they changed the policy in March to allow any vehicle with the ability to flat beam and switch their lights across to not have to change them.  Great I thought, and ordered the vRS (standard fit Xenons)

 

However a friend has just had his car checked (Seat Leon FR) which had LED Xenons with adaptive lighting pack and his failed!  Apparently due to the light pattern.  I am therefore concerned mine may be in the same boat.  Therefore are there any BFG people on here who have a new vRS (or suitably equipped Octy) who have had any problems, or successes??

 

Thanks

Which test centre did it fail at?

I'll make sure I don't take mine there next march

I took my yeti to Elmpt test centre, it passed OK

When are you due to get your light test done? And where?

Sennelager mate, in the next few weeks once i pick her up.  Do you know if the Xenons in the Yeti are the same sort (diff shape obviously!) as the VRS??

Not BFG nor do I have any info on the Leon's Xenon lights BUT I do have a vRS and had a play with the light settings.

You can enable tourist mode for the Xenons which obviously makes them face the right way for driving on the wrong side of the road (!) but it also disables the adaptive patterns and cornering function. So basically you end up with standard lights set up for driving on the continent.

Can't see why they shouldn't pass.

Thanks Mike, that may make the difference because my mate failed due to the adaptive patterns

Put a Kia sportage through at gutersloh a month ago and apart from the lecture about how this shouldn't be acceptable with uk lights it passed no problem. Test examiner said if the rules change back again and you come back at the three year point for a test it would fail. But as it won't be in BFG in three years I couldn't give one cahoot to put it politely. Arrogant fool.

Thanks Mike, that may make the difference because my mate failed due to the adaptive patterns

I've just checked the manual in case I was giving duff info as I've obviously not driven around in tourist mode - despite some political monkeys wanting us to be a separate country Scotland still drives on the left!

Anyway, page 50 confirms tourist mode turns of the fancy bits

http://ws.skoda-auto.com/OwnersManualService/Data/en/Octavia_5E/03-2013/Manual/Octavia/A7_Octavia_OwnersManual.pdf

Pick up new VRS (Xenon) and Leon (LED) next week - not worried about Octy but had confirmation with HQ BFG prior to purchasing the Leon. With car set in 'tourist mode' your car will not fail BFG test - the BFG tester will not fail the car if this is backed up by the owners manual open at the correct page stating that the tourist mode allows use overseas. You will need to re-wire rear fogs to pass though.

Black sheep, can you PM me with your details mate so I can chat ref the Leon

Admin, please delete this thread

Pick up new VRS (Xenon) and Leon (LED) next week - not worried about Octy but had confirmation with HQ BFG prior to purchasing the Leon. With car set in 'tourist mode' your car will not fail BFG test - the BFG tester will not fail the car if this is backed up by the owners manual open at the correct page stating that the tourist mode allows use overseas. You will need to re-wire rear fogs to pass though.

Hi I am after some imformation as I am picking up a new shape Seat Leon ST FR, as for the rules with BFG Lights test will I need to purchase continental headlights or are the standard fit UK headlights capable of switching to flat beam making it possible for me to pass the BFG lights test???

You shouldn't have any probs surely the lights are the same system as on the Octy VRS. Enable tourist mode and a 5 minute job at the dealer to get your fog light re- programmed to the other side. Where abouts are you in BFG the new guy at the test centre in Rochdale Bks Bielefeld is a top chap.

I am down in Elmpt and I cant seem to find anything about it having a switch or a tourist mode like the octy vrs, however I found a quote about tourist light values, do this make it any clearer for you?

 

Adjusting the headlights
The light beam of the dipped beam lights is asymmetric: the side of the
road on which you are driving is lit more intensely.

When a car that is manufactured in a country that drives on the right travels
to a country that drives on the left (or vice versa), it is normally necessary to
cover part of the headlight bulbs with stickers or to change the adjustment
of the headlights to avoid dazzling other drivers.

In such cases, the regulations specify certain light values that must be complied
with for designated points of the light distribution. This is known as
“Tourist light”.

The light distribution that the halogen and full-LED headlights of the SEAT
Leon range have, allows the specific “tourist light” values to be met without
the need for stickers or changes in the settings.

“Tourist light” is only allowed temporarily. If you are planning a long stay in
a country that drives on the other side, you should take the vehicle to an
Authorised Technical Service to change the headlights.

PM sent.

I am down in Elmpt and I cant seem to find anything about it having a switch or a tourist mode like the octy vrs, however I found a quote about tourist light values, do this make it any clearer for you?

 

Adjusting the headlights

The light beam of the dipped beam lights is asymmetric: the side of the

road on which you are driving is lit more intensely.

When a car that is manufactured in a country that drives on the right travels

to a country that drives on the left (or vice versa), it is normally necessary to

cover part of the headlight bulbs with stickers or to change the adjustment

of the headlights to avoid dazzling other drivers.

In such cases, the regulations specify certain light values that must be complied

with for designated points of the light distribution. This is known as

“Tourist light”.

The light distribution that the halogen and full-LED headlights of the SEAT

Leon range have, allows the specific “tourist light” values to be met without

the need for stickers or changes in the settings.

“Tourist light” is only allowed temporarily. If you are planning a long stay in

a country that drives on the other side, you should take the vehicle to an

Authorised Technical Service to change the headlights.

No switch to change. Driven on the continent several times with the LED lights without being flashed. New headlights for BFG if staying over 90 days I'm afraid.