Body/Trim: - Headlights swap needed to export vehicle - > advice please..

Andries82 · Mar 11th, 2015, 14:32

Hi,

I have a 2005 S80 Executive (Bi-Xenon headlights) and have decided to move to Europe. If I want to get the car registered locally it needs to pass a local "MOT" inspection by the authorities and it will only pass this test if the headlights are "European" rather than "British". Stickers or tape on the headlights to avoid blinding traffic aren't accepted.

I have visited various Volvo dealers who all confirmed my Bi-Xenon headlights cannot be adjusted manually or automatically by any means: The only option I have is to replace the headlight units with "European versions", which will cost me 2100 € at a main dealer.

Now I have three options:

1. Modify the current units in such a way they will pass the test.

2. Find some decent European Xenon second-hand units, swap them and get the car registered, leave the units in the car and sell the British ones.

3. Find some cheap European non-xenon second hand units, swap them over, get the car registered and use whilst I search for Xenon units?

Therefore my questions:

1. Does anybody know whether the wiring for regular and xenon headlights is identical and whether I could also build in some cheap regular headlights to pass the test / use whilst I am looking for Xenon units?

2. Does anybody have European Xenon headlights lying around and/or interested in swapping headlights?

Thanks,

Andries

Julianpms · Mar 11th, 2015, 17:00

Which country are you going to? It should be worthwhile looking at the online sites which sell secondhand stuff like Le bon coin here in France. If you provide a bit more information, you may get more help.

Andries82 · Mar 11th, 2015, 17:42

Hi, I'll be moving to Holland and have been looking at websites to buy second-hand lights.

I have now been told be a dealer my Xenon-equipped car has "bigger cables".. I guess that implies that "regular" headlights can't be connected. But I'd like a bit more of a detailed and trustworthy confirmation before I write this possibility off..

Simon Jones · Mar 11th, 2015, 19:57

It's a shame you've got an S80 rather than S60/V70 otherwise these might have been ok with suitable wiring modifications to halogen bulbs: http://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showthread.php?t=225207

(the headlamps are a different shape in case it wasn't already apparent)

Mar 11th, 2015, 14:32	#1
Andries82 New Member Last Online: Jan 24th, 2017 21:15 Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: London	Headlights swap needed to export vehicle - > advice please.. Hi, I have a 2005 S80 Executive (Bi-Xenon headlights) and have decided to move to Europe. If I want to get the car registered locally it needs to pass a local "MOT" inspection by the authorities and it will only pass this test if the headlights are "European" rather than "British". Stickers or tape on the headlights to avoid blinding traffic aren't accepted. I have visited various Volvo dealers who all confirmed my Bi-Xenon headlights cannot be adjusted manually or automatically by any means: The only option I have is to replace the headlight units with "European versions", which will cost me 2100 € at a main dealer. Now I have three options: 1. Modify the current units in such a way they will pass the test. 2. Find some decent European Xenon second-hand units, swap them and get the car registered, leave the units in the car and sell the British ones. 3. Find some cheap European non-xenon second hand units, swap them over, get the car registered and use whilst I search for Xenon units? Therefore my questions: 1. Does anybody know whether the wiring for regular and xenon headlights is identical and whether I could also build in some cheap regular headlights to pass the test / use whilst I am looking for Xenon units? 2. Does anybody have European Xenon headlights lying around and/or interested in swapping headlights? Thanks, Andries

Mar 11th, 2015, 17:00	#2
Julianpms VOC Member Last Online: Apr 26th, 2020 14:38 Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Montfort-l'Amaury	LHD Xenon headlights Which country are you going to? It should be worthwhile looking at the online sites which sell secondhand stuff like Le bon coin here in France. If you provide a bit more information, you may get more help. __________________ 2018 MY V40 T5 R-Design Geartronic

Mar 11th, 2015, 17:42	#3
Andries82 New Member Last Online: Jan 24th, 2017 21:15 Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: London	Hi, I'll be moving to Holland and have been looking at websites to buy second-hand lights. I have now been told be a dealer my Xenon-equipped car has "bigger cables".. I guess that implies that "regular" headlights can't be connected. But I'd like a bit more of a detailed and trustworthy confirmation before I write this possibility off..

Mar 11th, 2015, 19:57	#4
Simon Jones Premier Member Last Online: Jan 15th, 2022 11:23 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Salisbury (ish)	It's a shame you've got an S80 rather than S60/V70 otherwise these might have been ok with suitable wiring modifications to halogen bulbs: http://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showthread.php?t=225207 (the headlamps are a different shape in case it wasn't already apparent)

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