Technical RHD lamps on LHD 500

[monicaireland]

Hi all,

I write from Irealand, but originally I'm from Italy. I have a Fiat 500 Lounge 11/2007.
I failed NCT (the Irish mandatory test for cars) due to lights bidding to the right as my car is LHD. I've been told to put beam benders, but I failed again.
Went to a garage today, the guy spent a good while with my car my car, the machine and the stickers on his hands. He said that he would put the stickers more or less on the same place where the Fiat garage put them, with a slight better result, but not so good and he said he's not sure it will pass it.
He suggested me to go to another garage and try there as well. They don't put stickers. I asked again about RHD lights, he said they can provide and fit them but I need to leave the car (I couldn't today as I was there when they were closing) BUT they told me there's a risk that the RHD don't fit on a LHD 500 and he needs to check.
So my question for the moment is, do RHD lights fit on LHD 500?
Thank you.

 

[RobW]

I had a LHD 500 and I believe they fitted rhd headlights to it but sold it before it needed mot

I can't see why they wouldn't fit

Cn you borrow some rhd lights to get through the test?

 

[RobinPJ]

I agree that it would be hard to see why RHD lights wouldn't fit.

You should have them fitted really, or the stickers, because the pattern of light designed to light up the side of the road when your car was driving on the right will instead be dazzling traffic coming towards you.

 

[loveshandbags]

I would have to agree with the previous postings in that I can't 'see' any reason why RHD wouldn't fit on LHD. Checking shop4parts at a price of £150 for a pair it hopefully wouldn't be cost prohibitive to change it. I would imagine that you will re-instate the lights so it would be worthwhile getting someone to price for the new lights and then to re-instate the 'old' lights when the time comes.
An issue that you may face is the 'down time' between getting this job done and getting the car back in for the re-test. I would strongly advise carrying the NCT test reports in the car in case you have some difficulty from the Gardai. No valid NCT can result in 5 points on the licence.
Best of luck with the conversion and welcome to the forum.

 

[Charley says]

Loads of second hand parts on E-Bay.

 

[monicaireland]

Thank you guys.
I went to a Fiat garage, it will cost me a fortune, but they said that the RHD lamps will fit. Unfortunately I didn't have time to shop around among garages, for sure I'd have got a cheaper rate. But I'm in a hurry to have the job done, I have an appointment for NCT one hour outside Dublin, late in the evening, the day before flying home for Xmas!

 

[monicaireland]

PS So now, after the lamps will be fit, do you think I'll be 100% fine to pass the test? Is there any other reason or slight reason for which I shouldn't?
By the way, do you know why when they check the lamps they open the bonnet as well? I'm curious. Thanks

 

[grimwau]

Hi Monica, the reason that they open the bonnet when check the lamps is so that they can adjust the pattern on the beam setting equipment to ensure that it correct. The adjusters are on the back of the unit and therefore the bonnet has to be up to allow access to them should adjustments be required.

 

[monicaireland]

Thanks

 

[babbo_umbro]

Buon natale e felice anno nuovo. E buona fortuna con la macchina.