Illegal/Legal - headlight bulbs

Buddingblonde

I have a 03 Corsa and the passenger main bulb has blown - the side light is still working fine so there is some light from the bulb.

Went into Halfords to buy the bulb and get it fitted but the fitter isnt there until late on tomorrow. We took the car home and tried to replace the bulb ourselves but after an hour of fiddling around we gave up (earlier this year when one of the bulbs went we had to go to four halfords before we could find someone who could fit it - they alll had fitters but none could do the bulb).

Obviously the bulb will be replaced tomorrow but is it illegal to drive it like this?

It is going for its MOT on monday (sods law eh) but I will get the bulb done asap but I am worried about even driving it to Halfords and getting pulled over. The nearest is over 25 miles away.

lincroft1710

Yes - it's illegal you have a defective headlight, but plenty of people drive knowingly/unknowingly with defective lights. No point taking it for MOT without replacing as instant fail.

Buddingblonde

Well the bulb will be replaced tomorrow (sat) so it will be ok for its MOT - just worried about driving it back to halfords tomorrow as it will be late on when the guy is there to fit it and I will need to drive it with the lights on.

Is there a set fine or points for a faulty light and is it worth calling the breakdown out for?

Barneysmom

Couldn't you get the MOT place to fit the new lamp?

Buddingblonde

I dont want the car off the road over the weekend if it can be helped

Keith

What you going to do if the other bulb blows?

Buddingblonde

The other bulb was only replaced 2/3 months ago max

buglawton

Lucky do don't own a Renault Megane then

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=KGJas1CbByE

I helped change the front bulb of one of these once and got lucky due to very long fingers (did not have to remove the front wheel like in the Youtube clip)

hewhoisnotintheknow

i carry spare bulbs incase they blow, only takes me two mins to change any bulb (apart from front fogs)

Yes of course its illegal but the worse that will happen is you will get a producer

can you not ask a neighbour or friend to have a go? its not that hard

michaels

I drove with the bulb out on my stilo for months (also a ramp and wheel arch or bumper off job) just with the sidelight bulb plus driving light bulb (both in the same cluster as the headlight) and never got pulled over. Then again pretty much every road round here has street lights anyway.

Keith

michaels wrote: »

I drove with the bulb out on my stilo for months (also a ramp and wheel arch or bumper off job) just with the sidelight bulb plus driving light bulb (both in the same cluster as the headlight) and never got pulled over. Then again pretty much every road round here has street lights anyway.

Well done, on dazzling every on coming road user.

Buddingblonde wrote: »

The other bulb was only replaced 2/3 months ago max

You'll have seen cars with blown bulbs, normally have the other light at full beam, this leads to premature wear and the other bulb blowing too.

Hey Presto, no dipped lights