For this process the wheels do not need to be removed, simply putting them on the corresponding lock will allow easy access.

 

Start by removing the 4 torx bits on the top of the bumper

In each wheel arch there are 4 torx bits shown here

There are approximately 6 torx bits underneath 

Next (this is the hardest part) there are 2 torx bits either side, they screw in downwards so the heads are at the top. 1 is easily visible (next image) but the other is tucked up right behind the headlight.  I used a 1/4 ratchet and torx bit adaptor to get to this, it has to be done by feel.

Here is one of the side torx bits you can see

 

 

Lastly once all torx bits have been removed the bumper is held on by 2 large clips,looking straight down on top of the bumper you will see 2 elongated holes moulded into the bumper (one of the headlight bolts is there)

Looking in closer you will see the plastic lug sticking outwards to the front of the car, push the bumper inwards slightly to take the pressure of the clip and push the clip DOWNWARDS and pull the number outwards.

Do this for both sides.

 

 

Lastly all connections ore on the drivers side, there is plenty of slack in the wiring.  Disconnect the water supply to the headlight washers at the tank, you will need a small piece of pipe with a bolt in it to stop all of the water coming out of the tank.

 

Unbolt headlight (3 torx bits) and remove headlight if required. ALL this just to change an indicator bulb :-)

 

Edited 1 October, 20178 yr by xpower

Great guide and hell of a job to change a bulb - but shouldn't this be put in the Technical Guides section.  Also suggest adding 'indicator bulb' in the title if there is space so people can reference it easily

shouldn't this be put in the Technical Guides section.  

 

 

Moved and tag added

Awesome work.

 

I read that if you have Front Assistant radar this should be recalibrated when the bumper is removed. Does anyone know if it is true?

So contrary to some of the rumours on here, indicator bulbs on Xenons can be changed without dismantling the headlight?

Great write up Xpower, cheers.

 

Better get used to removing that bumper, it's not going back to the dealer every time it blows a blub.

I've had the front bumper off my Passat and BMW before, they all look to be pretty much the same process.

Edited 27 April, 201412 yr by Zzap

Great stuff indeed xpower. And there was I thinking it was only modern Renaults that suffered from this blight of non-accessible bulbs. How wrong I was. It makes me really cross that this is probably a piece of design by intent so most owners have to go scurrying to their dealer who will charge them about a tank's worth of fuel for the job. GGRRHH.

Fantastic guide, thanks for taking the time to put it together. Thank you.

I've already ranted elsewhere but it is absolutely insane that you have to remove the bumper to change a bulb!

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On my old Volvo C30 you just pulled a pin out and unplugged one electrical connector and the whole headlight assembly came free of the car -why oh why can other manufacturers not adopt something so simple.

It was similarly simple on the Octavia II.

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On my old Volvo C30 you just pulled a pin out and unplugged one electrical connector and the whole headlight assembly came free of the car -why oh why can other manufacturers not adopt something so simple.

 

What you mean like Škoda did on the MKII Octavia? 

What you mean like Škoda did on the MKII Octavia? 

So things have gone backwards then!  I've never really looked at any of the Octavias bar the MKIII

Be aware if you remove the bumper with the ACC option you have to recalibrate the radar !!!!!

Can I see some more pictures of that VRS in red, thinking about ordering a new VRS and originally was going to go for red but now swaying towards white, don't see many in red though, thanks Joel 

Can I see some more pictures of that VRS in red, thinking about ordering a new VRS and originally was going to go for red but now swaying towards white, don't see many in red though, thanks Joel

So after seeing mine you now want a white one? :-(

Red is great as it looks good with the darker wheels and doesn't show up the dirt as bad a white.

Also they are less common, hopefully it will look better when the windows are tinted a week Friday.

As with everything it is a personal choice though.

Plus it's a free colour :-D

red was my preferred to start, just about to go for test drive, i also have an A5 black edition in red, looks brilliant, be good to have them matching, agreed white a little common, swaying towards red again now lol

Thanks for the guide. Saved me hunting Around for bolts and clips when I changed my front grill to a black one. I couldn't for the life of me get the bolts closest to the headlight out though and ended up dropping the arch liners to gain access. Made it much easier getting the bolts back in too. Hats off to you for managing it though as I'm normally pretty good at fiddly stuff like that and I really struggled.

What you mean like Škoda did on the MKII Octavia? 

Yea...thats when it was Simply Clever.....on O3 its Simply NOT Clever.

Mk2 headlamp out was a brilliant design.

red tdi hatch ordered last tuesday with sunset glass and black design pack, just before the price and spec increase which is a bonus 

Just seen this write-up for the bumper removal… which is useful for many reasons.

 

Thanks xpower - informative, well written, clear and concise… and you can actually see what you're referring to in the photographs (ever tried following the ones in a Haynes manual)!

 

Errrr… you're not thinking of lowering your car with a set of H&R or Eibach's by any chance

Afraid not - unless they are free :-p

Is the front bumper removal pretty much the same on an MKIII Elegance?

Is the front bumper removal pretty much the same on an MKIII Elegance?

 

Should be identical

Should be identical

Cheers Neily03.

Any advice you know of anywhere on removing the rear. I need to fit a towbar.

Very useful to know this. I have the exact same type car as this Skoda Octavia vRS 2ltr diesel. 

 

I hit a deer which flew out in front of me recently and damaged the two front grilles which I thought wasn't too bad. Bottom grille is €30 (good value tbh). Top grille can't be bought separate - seemingly comes part of the whole bumper. Surely this can;t be the case. The front grille is a relatively easy changeout. Skoda must be cashing in on this as it sounds bonkers to have the two parts as one.

 

I'd love to hear from anyone who knows. Thanks a million.