Hi

 

I had noticed that the headlamp aim of the dipped beam was very low (just a puddle of light 2M in front of the car).

 

I don't know the history if the car, so figured that the headlamp aim would be out.

 

I initially tried the adjustment - the adjusters are shown below (Octavia 2 2007 Pre-Face Lift) the adjusters can be rotated with a 10mm socket or a 6mm Allen Key) - You can see the lens of the projector moving - a good reference is to make the gap between the lens and the reflector is equal.

 

It achieved nothing!!!

 

I decided to check the headlamp bulb.

 

Remove the white retaining knob - it is screwed on by hand - the tightness does not affect the alignment. The high beam adjuster is also shown, and can give vertical adjustment of the high beam only, with a 6mm Allen key.

 

Depress the retainer (just under the hook, against the edge of the light), and using a ring spanner or similar, pull the retaining hook sharply towards the centre of the car,

 

 

this will cause the headlamp unit to move forward 20mm or so.

 

 

It is now unlocked and can be withdrawn - have some towels or similar to protect the bumper from damage. May be worth having an assistant hold the headlamp to avoid it falling. It is possible to disconnect the electrical connector to remove the headlamp from the car.

 

Swivel the headlamp unit out to get access to the dipped beam lamp holder. unlatch the clips to ether side - they stay attached to the headlamp unit, then pull  the cover away.

 

 

Examine the lamp and ensure that it is located correctly in the holder. In my case, the metal spring clip which holds the lamp in the correct position in the lamp holder, was not fitted correctly. The top right side of the spring clip had come out of the  locating hole, meaning that the clip was not keeping the lamp pressed fully in to the holder, causing the lamp to aim towards the floor.

 

 

With the clip inserted in the hole correctly, the "lug" on the skirt of the lamp should locate in the "slot" in the lamp holder.

 

 

The clip is held in place (on the left side in this picture) and is unhooked by pressing the clip down (towards the bottom of the lamp housing) on left side of the clip, which allows the clip to disengage from the retaining hook and then to swing open, allowing the lamp to be removed.

 

Once I had re-fitted the clip correctly, and re-fitted the lamp, the correct light pattern was produced (horizontal line with an angled up edge to the left).

 

Refit the cover over the rear of the bulb and engage the clips.

 

Carefully align the headlamp unit in the tracks of the retaining bracket and gently push it in until it stops. If it is difficult, ensure the "rails" on the underside of the headlight have engaged with the rails on the retaining bracket. Once the headlamp stops, push the hook in (using a ring spanner or similar), towards the headlamp unit, which will pull the headlamp in to its fully locked position, and the headlamp unit should be aligned with adjacent panels. As you close the bonnet, ensure that the bonnet does not hit the edge of the headlamp unit - it wont if you have  fitted the headlamp correctly.

 

Refit the plastic retaining nut on the top/rear side of the headlamp, inside the engine bay. The retaining nut tightness does not influence the headlamp alignment. Check alignment of headlights and adjust as required.

 

In hindsight, the give away here was that the light pattern was, in MOT speak, "Obviously Incorrect". Had I checked the lamp fitment first, adjustment would probably not have been required.

 

Always pays to check the simple things first, and never trust that someone else says they have checked it!

 

 

Many years later but I had a similar symptom after replacing bulbs in a dark Lidl car park. Thanks to your guide I corrected both clips as each side was out of alignment. Thanks!