Thread: Changes to vehicle headlight policy.

Lets face it the BFG system is barking

Carrying out a UK MOT on a LHD car - of course it would fail an MOT, lights speedo etc

Why not TuV/ASU every 2 years?

New cars need not get inspected until 3 years old, so thats 3 years worth of driving with the incorrect lights fitted (providing you own a banger for the fuel coupons), then drive the new car back to the UK to flog.

Originally Posted by BIPOLAR77

New cars need not get inspected until 3 years old, so thats 3 years worth of driving with the incorrect lights fitted (providing you own a banger for the fuel coupons), then drive the new car back to the UK to flog.

You're not familier with the BFG system are you?

Even a new car is still required to have a LIGHTS test at the initial registration.

If this lights test is not passed with 30 days of registration the car automatically de-BFGs. It isn't a drama, but you'd have to re-register the car with BFG.

Now comes the tricky bit.

Given that you have already surrendered the DVLA registration, and now lost teh BFG registration through not having hte lights test, you'd have a registrationless car, that would be illegal to drive.... and I am not completely sure onthe ins and outs of its customs status either, but I think you'd be safe as you have carried out all the requirements for import.

To export from BFG the car MUST have a valid BFG pass. So even if you kept the car for a year and then attempted to take it back home, the BFG VLO would want you to have a BFGd car (including light test) before you can begin to export the car and start obtaining the paperwork required for initial/reregistration with DVLA.

not really,

example:

get a bfg 414, to export the car back, a week or 2 before go to bfg office - i have lost my bfg f73, pay 6 pounds, get a new one, take car back - presto light check box is completed.

and thanks i am up to speed on all things bfg

Originally Posted by BIPOLAR77

not really,

example:

get a bfg 414, to export the car back, a week or 2 before go to bfg office - i have lost my bfg f73, pay 6 pounds, get a new one, take car back - presto light check box is completed.

and thanks i am up to speed on all things bfg

Never come across that happening. Although wouldn't your insurance be void, should you crash?

would't know never tried it, but have seen it done, no doubt its being done also, but the other issue with new cars is that again an example - you own a ford focus, your mates got one, you borrow the headlights, test the car then return them.

Makes a mockery don't you think?

Or get a green card from the NAAFI take out the policy, cancel policy return green card, in the post a week later green card and letter turns up.

bfg your vehicle with no insurance - crazy system

I personnally have german insurance

another flaw with the system is that I cannot use a bfg vehicle for a second business use.

I cant own or register a vehicle that is not BFG'd, therefore how can i use a vehicle for business use?

Originally Posted by BIPOLAR77

would't know never tried it, but have seen it done, no doubt its being done also, but the other issue with new cars is that again an example - you own a ford focus, your mates got one, you borrow the headlights, test the car then return them.

Makes a mockery don't you think?

Or get a green card from the NAAFI take out the policy, cancel policy return green card, in the post a week later green card and letter turns up.

bfg your vehicle with no insurance - crazy system

I personnally have german insurance

another flaw with the system is that I cannot use a bfg vehicle for a second business use.

I cant own or register a vehicle that is not BFG'd, therefore how can i use a vehicle for business use?

Agree the whole BFG system is antiquated, over staffed and high on the buaracracy side.

I don't know why they don't make it much more easier, and simplier. There would be a lot less hassle.

Look at teh NATO system.

Originally Posted by BIPOLAR77

not really,

example:

get a bfg 414, to export the car back, a week or 2 before go to bfg office - i have lost my bfg f73, pay 6 pounds, get a new one, take car back - presto light check box is completed.

and thanks i am up to speed on all things bfg

Not quite so easy,

a. the new bfg card will run out when your insurance is up as the bfg card is only valid for the length of your insurance. so if u claim a loss after 11 months, u will get the bfg 73 back with one months validity remaining.

b. What box is complete? Only the BFG test centre can stamp that box.

c. If u drive on UK lights for a year then u r risking the insurance being invalidated in a crash as german law requires u to have euro lights after about 3 months of being in Germany. This is especially true if the other driver claims he was blinded by your lights.


pse correct me

This new lights policy is nuts. The change was explained to me as, not for the dip but that halogen dippers are better /safer than xenon flat beams. B=ll+cks. The xenon beam is far superior to the halogen even if the halogen dips to the right. Also I used to be able to adjust my xenons when going back and forth, now I just blind someone and can't see the road correctly. This decision needs to be fought as it is blindingly wrong. Mazda no longer have right or left, just fit xenon dippers which flick by a switch left or right. This smacks of someone making his name/career at everyone elses expense.

The BFG system has always been riddled with contradictions and impossibilities. For example, what if I want to move a SORN vehicle to or from BFG? Last time I was over there there was no strctly legal way of doing it. Any system where you have to "get Creative" in order to comply with it is obviously ballacks.

Hi as someone that now lives in France I am well aware of the situation, however, all new vehicles comply with the new thing (at least they should do!!) as the lenses are construed in a sort of double cut off. Get a beam test done but they can usually be ascertained by if the glass is clear, and has the correct EU marking.
As far as the old headlamps are concerned, a sticker is NOT adequate for either here in France, Germany nor the UK for CT read MOT. However, it seems paint is!!!
Motorcycles since 2003 have a compliant headlite.
Incidentally if a motorcycle is fitted with a US type double cut off lens and no E number then the bike cannot be ridden even on vacation!!! either here or in any country outside the original country of registration even though it complies with the UK laws. It seems that this was an exemption given to the UK along the lines of the old sealed beam and zebrazone windscreen.

I'm moving to Germany on a short notice posting in the new year. I've been advised to buy my 'compliant' LHD headlamps prior to arrival as the local garages have your arm and wallet up your back once you're in country.

Does anyone have any advice as to the best (i.e. cheapest) retailer? I drive a W-Reg Peugeot 306. Please keep the crap car gags to a miniumum!

You may have been advised wrong. UK vendors will generally have to special order Euro lights and may charge an arm and a leg.

Probably the easiest and cheapest way is to find the nearest Bosch or Hella main dealer to your new posting location and buy replacement lamps there. As it is in Germany, all they will have in stock is European lamp units at the standard price (and you will get them tax free too) Fit them yourself or get a REME to help for the customary case of beer (also tax free).

And dont forget to keep the Uk lamps in the boxes the Euro ones came in. You wouldnt want to be posted home and find them broken when you go to refit!

Originally Posted by Don_Coyote

I'm moving to Germany on a short notice posting in the new year. I've been advised to buy my 'compliant' LHD headlamps prior to arrival as the local garages have your arm and wallet up your back once you're in country.

Does anyone have any advice as to the best (i.e. cheapest) retailer? I drive a W-Reg Peugeot 306. Please keep the crap car gags to a miniumum!

Buy them off www.ebay.de when u get here!

Originally Posted by Don_Coyote

I'm moving to Germany on a short notice posting in the new year. I've been advised to buy my 'compliant' LHD headlamps prior to arrival as the local garages have your arm and wallet up your back once you're in country.

Does anyone have any advice as to the best (i.e. cheapest) retailer? I drive a W-Reg Peugeot 306. Please keep the crap car gags to a miniumum!

Here you go >> http://rogersheadlights.com/shop/ind...ddbebvgtf8ain5
Roger is a Belgian national working for the military in Sennelager/Paderborn area.
ps. he also fits headlights.