I think the original bulbs have met the end of their life. They are very dull and most have quite a lot of burnt residue on the inside. The reverse bulbs are very dull now compared to when I first got it. 

I'd like to replace all the w5w and w16w bulbs with new ones. 

 

Has anyone replaced the w16ws with LEDs? w16ws don't appear to be well catered for in aftermarket bulbs :-(

They are available, the problem being is that they won't be very bright, at least not as bright as the current bulbs.

 

What makes the lights bright is the reflective panel behind the bulb, this intensifies the light output.

 

LED's are very directional, most LED bulbs now have LED's down the sides too but they still don't seem quite as effective as standard.

 

See here, give them a try and take some pictures!

 

http://www.autobulbsdirect.co.uk/955-W16W-LED-Bulbs/

You'll also have problems with bulb warnings on a '58 plate when using LED's. The only way to 'fix' them is to use load resistors which isn't great...

 

Also if it's using multiple bulbs for the tail function it might be very hard to get a consistent brightness across the cluster too. As silver says, feel free to experiment but I suspect you'd be better just fitting quality W16W halogen bulbs.

 

Other LED options that might work well for light output although I make no assertions about their quality:

http://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/New-Arrivals-45W-480LM-W16W-LED-Reverse-Lights-360-degree-12V-T15-Car-Clearance-Light-High/705695_32465812616.html

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/111823942996

Thought you should know that the eBay, bottom one is not compatible with 2ltr diesel 2012 year hatch back. I did not look at other variants.

Edited 14 January, 201610 yr by Danny 57

Thought you should know that the eBay, bottom one is not compatible with 2ltr diesel 2012 year hatch back. I did not look at other variants.

 

I wouldn't trust the eBay compatibility checker for most things

 

W10W (T10), W16W (T15) and W18W (T16) bulbs all use the same connector, the difference is the size of the bulb end and wattage. 

I'd like LED but if I can't I won't. 
 

I have tried these:

 

W5W http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/161818305977?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

 

and they worked great and gave very close to filament performance in the clusters. No warning with these either. Currently residing in the front sidelight position. 

 

I tried these from the same person:

 

W16W http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/171944941963?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

 

They unfortunately throw an error but did work. They gave a lovely glow like the filaments in the rear lamps and in the reversing light as well. They just threw an error. Seller happily gave refund without issue. 

 

I notice PIAA do a 18w W16W and wondering whether this makes more sense