I have just replaced the front passenger side dipped beam headlight bulb on my Fabia MK3 and what a carry on. The access is so tight and limited both down the side of the battery and the under wheel arch access panel with removable cover. I eventually got the old bulb out and new one reinserted but trying to reinstall the the bulb holder into the light cluster was just as fiddly.

In the end I had to disconnect the battery and remove it just to finally refit the bulb correctly. I have replaced plenty bulbs on previous vehicles I've owned in a matter of minutes. The last time I had a headlight bulb out, I went to the Skoda dealer who actually replaced it in like 20 minutes not like the 2+ hours it took me. Is their some kind of special tool which clamps and twists the bulb holder which they use.

I've had a rear tail bulb and side capsule bulb out but it's just 2 torx screws and a wiggle of the light cluster to unclip it, they were quick and easy to replace. In future the garage can do the dipped bulbs. I found once was enough doing it myself. I got their in the end and now both headlights are working again, sighs!

I can't help with headlight bulbs but the (halogen) daylight running lights bulb change is enough of a PITA and wrist for me, but that's modern cars, you have to(?) have so much stuff on them going here, there and everywhere that there's no servicing space left. My last (everyday) car was from 1973 so it didn't have many of the modern "necessities" (and not that much that was around in 1973) so things were , er, different to my wife's 2015 Fabia.

I do wonder why you've had to replace so many bulbs on a 2017 car. If you have bought off the shelf standard bulbs from many of the suppliers and manufacturers many are crap out of the box or packet so wouldn't last as long as factory originals or better made bulbs.

The bulb holds fitting to the lenses units are a great design unless fitting on a bench.

You wouldn't like the even more modern light units.

With a 2017 car you are at the very edge of PITA and expense for what used to be reasonable price and easy.

15 hours ago, wilson-uk-85 said:

Is their some kind of special tool which clamps and twists the bulb holder which they use.

I made one.

Also a little grease on the two ears help with the refitment and beyond.

Also some people have used a piece of engine coolant pipe of the right size.

See this post, page 2 has photos of what I mae.

Thanks. AG Falco

1 hour ago, AGFalco said:

See this post, page 2 has photos of what I mae.

made.

Thanks. AG Falco

Yep it’s a real pain - I wanted to replace the standard bulbs with some Phillips Nightbreakers (or similar) I couldn’t get my hand into a position to do anything useful. Dealer did it FOC at the service. A 57 plate Octavia I drove had a little catch that released the headlamp and bulb changing was Simple, no need to open the bonnet!