Hello all, 

I own a 2013 C-Max 1.6L EcoBoost SCTi (150PS)

I am likely going to be taking the car to Portugal and have it matriculated.

to be able to do that I need to have the headlamps converted to LHD from my current RHD. I have seen some posts in other places saying there is a way to switch that let’s you move between RHD and LHD inside the headlamp unit?

Does anyone know if that’s the case? I’d hate to remove the whole thing for nothing.

otherwise I assume I need to buy LHD headlamps before I go? Is there a good source anyone would recommend for some used ones?

Pic of current headlamps attached.

They are not switchable, you need the LH headlights, it's only the upmarket LED's that are switchable

On my brother's Audi TT it was switchable and that was 20 years ago with normal bulbs. I guess Audi were kinder to it's buyers. I would think it would be a lot easier/cheaper to buy LHD headlamps once in Portugal and maybe find some 2nd hand ones there.

Does your car have a foglight on both sides, or have you got to sort that out also (actually I don't know if fog lights are a requirement in Portugal).

When you arrive in Portugal I assume you do not have to conform to their rules until the car has been there a certain amount of time

 

Car has two fog lights in front.  In the back, it seems that only the driver's side fog light actually has a "light", the left hand side only has a reflector, so I will need to get that switched over (and yes you need the fog lights in Portugal).

There is a period of grace during which you will need to do all the modifications (thankfully the CMAX has KM on the speedometer as well as miles), so I might just leave getting the lamps there, but someone did mention that it might be cheaper in the UK if I can track a pair down.

"but someone did mention that it might be cheaper in the UK if I can track a pair down".  hard to judge. I can see the argument that they might be cheaper because if someone has them there is very little demand for them. but maybe the reverse, if someone has them they know there is a lack of other places to buy them from so they may think they can charge as much as they like.  

Are car breakers yards a thing in Portugal? I think Portugal is a poor country compared to some other EU countries so maybe they are.

I am not sure if you were thinking new or 2nd hand.  The pound is weak at the moment, maybe that means they won't be cheap as they won't be made in the UK (I assume).

Perhaps the pound will suddenly get strong again after Brexit - wait until next week, oh hang on, although Brexit happens Friday night, is anything actually changing? I am not sure, there seems a lack of info on what changes will happen and when they might happen.

when i go to the eu lhd headligts and 2 rear foglights 2 warning triangles 2 breatherlisers hivis coat spare bulbs and 2 spare wheels , it a lot better than a big fine , as now we out of eu they will be clamping down? I get my car upto TUV standard before going now.

Ford Fiesta (White) registration number SH09 ZGP

MOT expired 10th January 2021

Road Tax expired 30th June 2021

Insurance - void because of above (If it has insurance)

I don't think I would be taking the car to the EU or anywhere else even with 2 rear foglights