I'm trying to import my RRS 2013 into France from the UK. The import technicians are not happy with my headlights. The beam is not flat (as per photo it has a slight kink) and therefore doesn't conform to their regulations. I have switched it to EU, it has a French CT (MOT) and 3 x local garages say the beam is perfect for France. BUT as the technician disagrees I can't do anything about it. So my question - what do I change them for? What lights will fit and have a flat beam? Will the 2008-9 headlights fit a 2013?

Oh the joys of French bureaucracy!! You might need to by French/Euro headlights rather than just change setting. They are different as link pattern is on other side.

I've been advised by a few parts specialists that the lights are the same part numbers in EU and UK. So even if I purchase in France I would just be replacing like for like. Argh!!!! I just don't know what/who to believe. Might have to take it to the nearest dealer for an 'attestation' to say they are fine and see if that's good enough.

Good luck - been through your pain albeit a different brand. A Cert of Conformity from JLR along with CT should be enough…

Should be - but isn't

Presumably there's an appeal process for such cases? Take it over the technician's head and present the manufacturer's certificate of conformity, etc., to the next level. 2012 SDV6 - it's missing a couple of cylinders
2008 TDV8 - it was a labour of love and is much missed

France2024 wrote:

I've been advised by a few parts specialists that the lights are the same part numbers in EU and UK. So even if I purchase in France I would just be replacing like for like. Argh!!!! I just don't know what/who to believe. Might have to take it to the nearest dealer for an 'attestation' to say they are fine and see if that's good enough.

You need to dismantle the lamp and remove the bit of metal on the shutter that is causing the kink. Maybe the moving bit is not moving out he way enough.
Mine is totally flat when set for europe you only get a kink on the UK setting Always listen to old people or when they die you will live on in ignorance.
The avatar is a picture of the man with a big cock.
Learned to 4x4 on 100 mile beach and Frazer Island QLD
Dont spend money on old cars you will never get it back

2008/09 headlights will not fit a 2013 vehicle, the headlights on my 2013 specifically say UK Spec. on them although according to the handbook there is no adjustment required to drive abroad with them due to the design of the beam, as suggested there are different part numbers listed for L/H/D vehicles so to me personally that would suggest you need the L/H/D units to conform correctly. As your car is a 2013 I would hazard a guess your vin no. starts DA, assuming they are the adaptive ones you probably need LR030761 and LR030757. I certainly wouldn't try and bodge your original units up as there no guarantee they would be acceptable and would probably just make them useless and of no value, where as at the moment you could probably sell them to offset some of the cost of replacements.

Could you not try to find a breakers in France breaking a vehicle which was originally for the French market?

Cheers
Col

Get 10/11 EU spec headlights, they will be correct and put out more light than the 12/13 headlights.

A guy I know imported his US spec 12 L320 to France and had to change his headlights as well, despite being for the correct side of the road. 2011 RRS HSE Luxury 3.0 TDV6 Fuji White on Ebony/Ivory
Born and raised in So Cal. Moved to the UK in 2018 for a few years. Now in Poland and looking at moving back to the UK.

Depens how fussie the OP is, as they will not be quite the same as the MY10/11 headlights and rear lights will have grey internal backing the 12/13 has black.

Cheers
Col

Legal and imported over stylish and left behind? I'd take the former. 2012 SDV6 - it's missing a couple of cylinders
2008 TDV8 - it was a labour of love and is much missed

Nothing to do with stylish or left behind really. It's simple the OP need to change his headlamps to one's which conform to the EU spec. not the UK spec. If they wish to keep the aesthetics of the car the same they need to use the one's from a MY12/13 vehicle, if they are not bothered then they can use them from any MY10 to MY13 vehicle, however I would imagine they would have to be a matching pair, not one from a MY10 and one from a MY13 if as No Expert said they give out a different light intensity/beam of some sort.

Cheers
Col

10/11 have the internal lever to flatten the beam pattern for driving on the other side of the road. The pattern is different and throws more light at the shoulder/road signs.

12/13 do not have the internal lever and instead have a flat beam pattern that’s “compliant” for the other side of the road if visiting. If you’re doing homologation then you need the correct market spec beam pattern.

Col is correct regarding the aesthetics; 10/11 are grey trimmed and 12/13 are black trimmed. 2011 RRS HSE Luxury 3.0 TDV6 Fuji White on Ebony/Ivory
Born and raised in So Cal. Moved to the UK in 2018 for a few years. Now in Poland and looking at moving back to the UK.