Using rear lights from German car on a UK car

[KarmaSumatra]

Does anyone know if you can use the rear lights from a German car on a UK car? Is there a difference in the bulb layout?

The part numbers seem to be the same.

[xjay1337]

I think the fog and reverse light are reversed? they are on a Golf.

[KarmaSumatra]

From what I've read, it sounds like both clusters have both bulbs, and the controller decides which side to illuminate (based on whether the car is LHD or RHD). I've found lots of discussion on how to enable fog lights on both sides, which would support that theory.

Would love to know for sure though.

[cjl_rocco88]

Is it because you want to buy dark R lights from Germany? I did via eBay and have since had it MOTd with no hassle if that makes any odds to you?

[KarmaSumatra]

Is it because you want to buy dark R lights from Germany? I did via eBay and have since had it MOTd with no hassle if that makes any odds to you?

It sure is! That's very useful info, thanks.

Did you buy from "autohaus-kunzmann"? Did you test the reversing lights and fog lights yourself?

[cjl_rocco88]

Yeah that them! No I didn't even think o that tbh, I just checked brake and tail! Mot guy at the vw woulda noticed tho so I'm happy enough. They are awesome lights! I had fly eyes kit on mine and after a few months decided it looked tacky and ned racerish so plumped for the eBay ones and sold the standards for 70 quid so dark ones worked out to be half price!

[KarmaSumatra]

The lights arrived today, and it looks like the bulb configuration will work.

Unfortunately, they were really badly packaged. They were chucked in a box, next to each other, with a foam pad above and below them. They've been sliding around and hitting each other all the way from Germany to my office. When I took them out, pieces of plastic fell off (can't tell where from) and both of the seals on the backs have been punctured.

I've requested an exchange for new ones as I don't want to risk condensation in the lights, or water in my boot.

[cjl_rocco88]

Aw man that's shit luck, mine were packaged the same way but lights were rock solid and not touching, I was even able to use the packaging again when selling the old lights. Good luck dude.

[KarmaSumatra]

Thanks. Yeah, it's really annoying. I can't understand how they thought they would survive the journey.

[KarmaSumatra]

An update...

This seller is showing a truly staggering level of incompetence. The 2nd set of lights arrived today. The only difference in the packaging was a single strip of bubble wrap pushed around the outside of the box. Because there was nothing between the lights they had mashed together again, with at least one seal being damaged. In addition, there were more puncture holes in the box, and one of the clusters has a proper chunk out of it!

Fortunately, their incompetence means they haven't arranged the collection of the first set, so I've been able to take the good seal from the chipped cluster, and put it on one of the unchipped clusters from the original delivery.

I will then need to fashion some sort of repair for the other (lightly damaged) seal.

I strongly recommend that you avoid this seller or, at the very least, prepare yourself for multiple replacements.