MOT Failure Lamps - Are Brighter Bulbs an Option?

[Driver+Passengers]

Nice one - good luck...!

My mate said last night he'd finished mine. On walking into the garage without them, he said "they're not going back on until we've done the indicators as well"... I said I didn't think they looked too bad, to which he replied "you haven't seen the headlights!" Apparently, he had to go down to 400 grit and work back up from there.

[rie]

Cheers! Relieved I didn't have to go for the sanding, not sure I have the same dedication to the cause as your mate. Sounds like he needs to get out more

[Driver+Passengers]

Cheers! Relieved I didn't have to go for the sanding, not sure I have the same dedication to the cause as your mate. Sounds like he needs to get out more

Hehe - I'll tell him you said that!

Some of the work he's done in the past has been absolutely stunning! All bolts removed, cleaned up, painted and refitted with non-marring sockets.

[rita]

Thanks so much everyone. I had some t-cut in so gave them a quick polish up last night and it seems to have done the trick. The yellow film had gone all gloopy so it lifted off pretty easily. They need another going over, perhaps with some toothpaste but I think they are going to be fine (especially if I have new bulbs at the ready). Thanks so much for all your help - wish me luck for the retest on Tuesday.

Good Luck, it would be worthwhile having a wee look at the reflectors to make sure they are not tarnished (dull) they should be shiny (bright) if they are dull the beam tester picks them up as a blur and its a fail.

[tcflinty]

Let us all know how the re-test went !
Good luck.
Flinty

[rie]

Thanks again guys, yes will let you know how it goes. I'll check the reflectors too - belt and braces advice from you guys. Fantastic!

[pc13cb92]

Hi,
I had the same yellowed lenses on mine. I polished them with xerapol polish ( off ebay- via suggestions off this forum) and I also fitted some replacement bulbs - xenon H4 bulbs by Ring - about £12 for 2 off ebay, and there was a noticeable difference. well worth it.



1996 2.5td aft 2wd

[rie]

Thanks - I was a bit unsure which bulbs are best so that is great. My bongo is also a 1996 2.5td aft 2wd. It's beautiful, apart from the headlights

[philpdr]

Had the same problem with mine so T-cutted then fitted Osram Nightbreaker bulbs,amazing improvement.

[ffrank]

quick wipe with rag with some petrol on all done

[Simon Jones]

The later headlamps also suffer from deterioration but can look worse due to the clear lens. I tried Xerapol but it was hard work and didn't achieve much so instead I used an orbital sander fitted with a polishing bonnet and Autoglym super resin polish. Made a big improvement.

[rie]

Thanks Simon, Phil and Frank. The t-cut seems to have done the trick for us. Not sure they are quite as shiny as Simon's but they are looking pretty good We will see what Mr MOT-bod thinks tomorrow

My van looks so much better for cleaning them up too. Almost perfect apart from the front grill which I still need to polish up, otherwise I have one smart bongo.

Thanks again to everyone who has answered.

[rie]

Hoorahhh! I am pleased to report bongo flew through the MOT retest, didn't even need to change the bulbs. Thanks so much everyone for all your advice. Really appreciated, what a brilliant bunch of people