I reversed my Octavia mk-III SE-Sport Estate into a large building yesterday (so much for the reverse parking sensors!) and knocked a hole in my rear light cluster.  Hey ho, just grit teeth and buy a new one .. BUT:

 

There are "normal" and  "LED" types ( 5E9945111 and 5E9945111A)

 

..on top of that they are made by Hella, TYC, Van Wezel etc etc all at different prices.

 

How can I tell whether I have the LED or normal lights?  And is there any difference between the brands?

 

(could go and dismantle the car and find out exactly what's fitted, but it's cold dark and wet outside)

Going outside to check is how you’ll find out sadly. The build sticker with option codes will be in the boot if you can’t tell, but the LED’s thin strips for the C shaped taillights rather than having the whole thing lit up by a bulb.

 

Here’s my LED light cluster if it’s any help

 

It should be the same cluster as a VRS

Yup two thin strips making two nested C's on mine. 

 

Just found a listing of the SE-Sport specs and it does say "LED brake lights" to go with the fancy Bi-xenon headlights (and other VRX style bolt ons).

 

Shame as they cost more .... hope I never break a headlight as those are £450!!

 

thanks for the speedy advice :¬)

17 hours ago, nicka62 said:

and other VRX style bolt ons

 

VRX?! Don't drag us down to the level of the Corsa/Astra lot

 

You could downgrade to standard lights found on other models if you could live with it? I think it's just a VCDS/OBDEleven tweak after fitting.

Oops! S S, VRS.

 

Could indeed downgrade by buying two cheaper rear lights instead of one pricier one, then paying the garage to mess up the recoding ;-).

 

Sticking with LED.  Luckily for me someone has evidently written off their mk3 VRS leaving intact rear lights. £80 on eBay.