tail lights

[gondaff]

Has anyone had experience with finding a solution for the tail lights not meeting DOT standards? If so, what have you done to get around this problem.

[Green1]

tail lights? nobody has ever mentioned having any problems with those...

the normal complaint is the headlights. (on my vehicle ALL the lights passed, including the tail lights AND the controversial headlights)

[argo]

please, please don't draw anymore attention to this

[gondaff]

sorry not trying to draw attention to anything. I was just told that they need to be addressed. I have also been told that there is a letter floating around from the DOT that backs this up. I was hoping someone might have a copy of this so I can get the mechanic to release the hostage.

[Green1]

the letter simply states that they must check all lights and glass to make sure it conforms to the appropriate standards. (and it is quite clear that they MUST check it)
All glass does conform and has the appropriate codes. from what most people have said, the taillights also meet regulation, the sticky part is the headlights. a lot of shops won't pass them, and some that have tried to pass them have had the provincial inspection people come back on them with an "are you really really sure?".

when mine went in the mechanic said the headlights were fine, when we inquired specifically about them (based on the letter and other people's experiences) he took a second look at them and said "yes, they're fine, they're DOT" (which seem rather odd being that nobody else seems to have DOT lights, but he did double-check...)

if you do need to replace the lights, anything before 1990 uses the older style lights and does conform, anything newer than 1990 uses the newer style molded lights and can cause problems, on the bright side though there is information posted in other parts of this board about german headlights that meet the european "E" code (which the inspection people deem to be "DOT Equivlant") which will allow the headlights to pass.

beyond that, the vehicle needs to have a centre mount brake light fitted, and daytime running lights installed. (again, some shops seem to pass the vehicles without one or both of these, but generally you'll need them both done) (though I think the daytime running lights only applies to vehicles after 1990)

the rest is the usual stuff, tires in good shape, windshield and wipers in good shape, steering and brakes working, etc. all the stuff you'll want for your own peace of mind anyway.

if you are importing through a decent broker they should arrange for all of this on your behalf, if you are self importing, you'll have to figure it all out yourself, generally though the place doing the inspection can fix most defects (they are the ones who installed my daytime running lights and centre brake light, they also replaced my tires and windshield wipers) however it may be cheaper to fix them yourself.