Light test

A light test is a check of all exterior lights on your vehicle and, if required, adjustment of headlight aim. Correct lighting is essential for safety: you need to see the road clearly at night and in bad weather, and other road users must see your vehicle and your intentions (braking, turning) without being dazzled.

In Germany, headlight aim is part of the main vehicle inspection (HU). If your lights fail at the HU because the aim is wrong, we can adjust them on our optical test bench (Lichtprüfstand) and then you can return for a re-test. We also offer a standalone light check and adjustment – for example after replacing a bulb or if you have been flashed by other drivers because your lights seem too high.

• Check of all lights: We check that every exterior light works: dipped beam, main beam, indicators (front and rear), brake lights, rear lights, number-plate light, side lights and, if fitted, fog lights (front and rear). We also check that the correct bulbs are fitted and that there are no damaged or misted lenses.
• Headlight aim: We place the vehicle on our optical test bench and measure the current aim of the dipped beam. We adjust the headlights to the legal limits so that the beam is neither too high (dazzling oncoming traffic) nor too low (reduced visibility). We can provide a printout of the before and after values.
• Bulb replacement: If a bulb is defective, we can replace it (often on the spot). For some vehicles, access to the headlight unit is difficult; we will tell you the effort and cost. We use quality bulbs that meet legal requirements.

After adjustment we will tell you whether your lights now meet the requirements for the HU. If you came because of an HU failure, you can then return to us (or another testing station) for a re-test of the lighting only.

• Vehicle – no registration documents or ID needed for a light test.
• If you have replaced a bulb yourself and the beam seems wrong or you have been flashed, tell us when you book or on arrival so we can focus on adjustment.
• If the light test is because of an HU failure, bring the inspection report so we know what was failed and can adjust accordingly.

HU re-test: Correct headlight aim is part of the main vehicle inspection. If your lights were failed at the last HU, we can adjust them and then you return for a re-test (only the lighting part). We will tell you whether the aim is now within tolerance.

Duration: A light check and adjustment usually takes about 20 to 30 minutes. Bulb replacement can take longer on some models if access is difficult.

Costs: We charge for the light test and adjustment; bulb replacement is quoted separately. We will tell you the cost before starting.