MOT Failure Nearside Headlamp aim too low

[MarkieMartin]

Hi Guys,

Got a bit of an issue with my 2009 Volvo C30 1.6D with Xenon Lights.

Failed MOT with the nearside headlamp aim too low, the garage advised that the headlamp couldn't be adjusted accordingly and that I need a replacement.

I have been quoted £850.00 to replace this unit when my lights are still working but the aim is simply too low.

I was taken back by the price quoted and I'm not sure where to go with this? I'm assuming Xenon lights can only be adjusted electronically or can they be adjusted manually? The garage wouldn't provide me with the quotation and offered no real help what so ever so this is why im doubting the unit needs replacing.

Regards
Mark

[FunkyMelon]

It's probably the plastic adjuster that has rounded off.

You can probably slide the headlight out and adjust it using an hex key by passing the plastic cog part.

Worth a go at least.

[phutyle]

As FunkyMelon said, try this: https://youtu.be/Xgx5OrwnFxU

[Welton]

I had this exact same failure notice once, was told afterwards that they have to produce failures 'for the record' to look realistic (rather than just fix the issue on the spot and pass the car).

Try another MOT place?

[SwissXC90]

Originally Posted by Welton

I had this exact same failure notice once, was told afterwards that they have to produce failures 'for the record' to look realistic (rather than just fix the issue on the spot and pass the car).

Isn't the MOT a TESTING station and not a REPAIRING station?

Two different tasks

You TEST first and record any faults found
Then you REPAIR
Then you TEST again

[Welton]

Mostly yes and you're best to get an impartial 'test only' for MOT's but the place I use are friendly enough that if your headlamp aim is a bit off they'll just pop the bonnet and adjust it there and then. He did this with my car but recorded the initial failing 'for the record'.

[Missing Lincs]

I had a similar problem with a halogen headlights. Not sure if the adjustment mechanism is similar for xenons but in my case the adjuster had broken away from the tray inside the headlight unit. Although a halogen is cheaper than xenon it was still a few hundre for a pattern part. I decided to attempt a repair and replaced the adjuster with a long bolt, this plus a few washers, nuts and a small plate to fix everything to the back of headlight. Adjustment now needs a hex socket from the back and I lost the right-angle gearing on the back of the headlight which is no big loss as it was pretty useless to start with.

[iantowil]

Do your xenons self level in the first 20 seconds after starting the car? Try starting the car on level ground in the dark with the lights shining on something about twenty to thirty feet away. You should see your light beams (left and right) dip and then raise again, or that's what seems to happen and certainly does on my xenons. This will give you more info on what's happening and whether the level mechanism is working.

[LizardOfBodom]

Originally Posted by MarkieMartin

...I'm assuming Xenon lights can only be adjusted electronically or can they be adjusted manually? ...

Not sure if you are fighting with the issue or not but FYI there are 2 possible adjustments on OEM xenons:
1 is the manual adjusters, as shown on the YT link above, that manually change the position of whole mount
2 is the "calibration" adjustment that is set using VIDA+DiCE in dealership and is usually tied up to calibrating the whole levelling system etc.

As mentioned, check if the self-levelling works and if it does, try to manually reise the beam using adjusters or leftover of it.
also - btw - check that bulb inside is positioned correctly (fitted snuggly) and if actual projector is not loose (like it was broken and pointing down in lazy eye way).
Hope its nothing and you get it sorted in no time.

[MarkieMartin]

Thanks all for the responses as it's been a massive help to me.

I taken it to another garage, it passed the MOT and the garage adjusted my lights accordingly. Complained about what happened with the other garage, the technician explained that he tried to adjust the light by the plastic adjuster and didn't know you could adjust on the side with a hex/allen key so it more down to human error.

I got my MOT refunded, headlight adjustment refunded, £50 voucher and I've taken it to the head office who are now going to look into why the staff were so arrogant to myself by quoting me a £850.00 + VAT repair on my car just because the headlights "wouldn't" adjust.

I asked if I could have the quotation on an email prior to making a decision on the repairs and they replied by saying "Yes you can once you proceed with the repairs" - So i'll be laying into them for that statement alone.

If I didn't post on here I wouldn't of confident enough to fight this case so thank you all