MOT fail - lights dip to right!!

[meady100]

Imagine my surprise today when my 53 plate 172 failed it's first MOT. Apparently the lights dip to the right! The guy reckoned it might be an import, but I'm pretty sure it's not (although I bought it used, it has an alarm). Anyone else had this problem or know if there is some magic way of flicking them across to the left? The MOT bloke said if they couldn't work it out my only option might be to buy new lights! Arrrrggghhh!!

Thanks!

Steve

 

[Lam7r]

Is there not a switch to flick the lights from left to right? I never actually checked when i had my 172 ph2 but i remember on my puma when i had one there was a switch to flick on the reverse of the unit to angle the lights from left to right for use abroad.

 

[Dan@SJM]

sounds like its got continental headlights.

 

[meady100]

Is there not a switch to flick the lights from left to right? I never actually checked when i had my 172 ph2 but i remember on my puma when i had one there was a switch to flick on the reverse of the unit to angle the lights from left to right for use abroad.

The MOT bloke said that was what he was used to, but that he couldn't find anything like that.... It's just weird!

S.

 

[Lam7r]

Yeah after reading a thread on here just now i think that they came with either right pointing lights or left pointing ones mate so looks like new lights unless you can somehow adjust the lenses enough?!

Looks like you have an import. The fact it has an alarm doesnt mean its UK as many had alarms fitted when the were shipped over etc

 

[meady100]

OK after reading another thread I see small white allen key adjusters behind each headlight unit - can anyone confirm if these adjust the left/right or up/down angle?

Cheers!

Steve

 

[christurbo]

Up and down unfortunatley.

 

[Lam7r]

I know its not a fix and if you dont sort it then it will effect other road users but for now if you really need to car for work etc could you not swap lights with someone else to get you through the mot then swap back?

Just until you source some from the scrappy etc as buying new from renault will be expensive i imagine. I dont know the price but i would be thinking £500 or so if you re-use your old lamps as i dont think renault price includes lamps?

 

[Dan@SJM]

just thought. what about some headlamp stickers.

 

[meady100]

just thought. what about some headlamp stickers.

That could just be a stroke of genius! I'll check out getting some and see if the garage will pass it that way.

S.

 

[edde]

Might sound dasft but check the light adjsuter on the back axle isn't broken or the adjsuter on the lights isn't broken.

The car might have been in an accident and the replacments came by bad luck from a 172 which had ben made for the foreight models.

Even the imports lights work right cars ordered by France etc could be ordered with RHD lights and seats etc.

 

[adehook006]

can you not put a spacer behind the one side of the lights to alter the beam that way?

 

[Brown.]

just adjust them your self! the lights point straight forward, they have an up down and a diagnoal.

 

[manicmonkey]

just thought. what about some headlamp stickers.

they wont pass the mot

 

[Dan@SJM]

i wasnt sure, just a suggestion, you may be able to slip the guy £20 and they pass

 

[DamoWales]

Borrow someones,

Thats ur best bet!

 

[meady100]

Re: MOT fail - lights dip to right!! - Update

Update - took it to the dealers this morning, who after much poking and prodding and grunting agreed that for some reason it has continental headlights (they confirmed that it isn't an import) and that as it has 6 days warranty left they will sort it all out for me. Phew!! - Thanks for the suggestions everyone! I guess how it got the wrong type will remain forever a mystery, I reckon a batch got mixed up at Dieppe!

Steve

 

[manicmonkey]

good news! its nice to hear of a dealer helping!

 

[Shaunbrass]

well they have to really as thats a serious fault isnt it?

i mean what a mistake, never get these frenchies ill tell ya

 

[manicmonkey]

lol well if you bought from a dealer, then yeah i suppose theyre obliged!

 

[meady100]

lol well if you bought from a dealer, then yeah i suppose theyre obliged!

Wasn't actually bought from them - bought it used from an independent dealer in Manchester. The engineer certainly gave it a very hard look at today and asked some very searching questions - but he agreed after I threatened to firebomb his house

S.

 

[Gaz_]

did you not atually notice whilst driving at night lol???!!!

 

[meady100]

*Final Update*

Took it to the dealers today, to get the new lights in. All done by lunchtime and straight across two roads to get the previously failed MOT complete from my independent garage of choice. Two (begged) lifts later and I'm safely back home waiting for the good news phone call. What do I hear? It's failed again, with the lights, and I quote, 'so far out of alignment they're off our scale'. Of course, Renault didn't know that I was going to get an MOT straight after. Quite amazing that they were perfectly happy to let me drive out of the dealership with em like that. I won't bore you with anymore, except to say that all afternoon faffing and getting lifts finally got the car through
Dealers, eh?! (Dunstable Camden Renault, incidentally)...

S.

 

[davebem]

Re: *Final Update*

Dealers, eh?! (Dunstable Camden Renault, incidentally)...

S.

lol typical renault, sounds like first of all the fitted the wrong lights to your car, then your dealor didnt bother to align your replacements.

Coincidently Ive found the 172mk1s have adjustable lights. They have a hidden metal leaver under the rubber cover behind the cluster, so you can switch lhd to rhd. Comes in handy for trips to france.