Ladies and Gentlemen,


*** Also posted on the SL forum*****

I need your help.

I have a 1982, U.S. spec 380SL first a bit of history:

1982 imported to the US as a US car.

1998 Exported to the UK as a personal vehicle, Headlights changed to meet UK regulations.

2003 Re-imported to the U.S.

2005 I buy it, as second owner, get VA inspection, register and title in VA

2006/7 Need basic service, go to a really good (non MB indy) to get basic service and VA inspection.

Surprise! It will not pass Inspection in VA, as the headlights are not DOT approved.

Note: The shop is actually a great place, they do good work, but, as they should, are following the regs to the letter, perhaps too much.

Since I know they are not trying to rip me off, and I now have no legally inpected car in VA, what can I do?

Is there a loop hole covering this?

The headlights were required when the car went to the UK for 5 years, 1998-2003, therefore, can I claim them as OE?

Do I try another shop, w/o an inspection sticker (may be a problem)

Finally, the lights in the bumper no longer work, since they are not allowed in the UK, and VA law says all installed lights have to work. (second problem, much more minor)

Can anyone lend me advice?

Jim "I can't believe I have to drive a camry" Johnson

Well, I don't know quite how things work up in the Commonwealth of Virginia, but down here in the Great State of North Carolina , nobody even cares to check if all of the lights work where I get my car inspected , so I am at the least surprised. Anyway, if you know a small local shop (not MB specific), that does inspections (no franchises, jiffy lubes, etc.), take it up there for a sticker. They probably won't be able to tell the difference, except possibly about the lights not working. Do you know if they just cut the wires, or removed the bulbs, or how exactly did they disable your lower lights? But considering what a set of Headlamp Assys cost for a 107 (My mom had a 77 450SLC, had to replace both of them after an accident, ouch they were expensive. ), your best bet is to find a local guy, (hopefully, somebody who works mostly on pickups, so they wont notice the difference) and let him do it.
Thanks, and God Bless,
Dave.

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Currently Driving:
1986 Mercedes Benz 560SEL
1994 Lincoln Town Car
1994 Cadillac Deville
1985 Lincoln Town Car- Retired

The Official Car of a Realtor- Lincoln Town Car
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Take it somewhere else. Most places wouldn't even know. Scrape your rejection sticker first, or they will know.

In NOVA you may be able to get away with headlights but if a police pulls you over the inspection inspector can get in trouble.
All lights on a vehicle must work.

Maybe DMV can grant you extra time on tags for repair.

JLJ133, they're probably trying to rip you off. Seriously. That's what they do. Pro shops will lose money doing safety inspections if they can't find something to nail you on. The first thing they see is the hood ornament.

Have your inspection done at Exxon/Mobil gas station in your neighborhood. They're only concerned with getting you in and out. They're happy if they can't find anything wrong. If you have your safety inspection done by a mechanic he's likely to suggest new catalytic converters, diesel injection pump (i know your's is not diesel), frame alignment, and body work. He's got bills to pay, equipment to buy, shop rags, disposal fees, etc.

Jim, UK headlights are for RHD cars and have different light pattern in order to put more light on the shoulder to the left. It would blind oncoming cars here in the US.

This is true. A few years ago I had an inspection at a Fairfax (VA) Shell station. I had enough time to sit down and flip through about 6 pages of a magazine before the inspection was done.

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2008 E350 4matic / Black/Anthracite

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Gone but not Forgotten:
2001 E430 4matic, 206,xxx miles, Black/Charcoal
1995 E320, 252,xxx miles, Black/Grey
1989 260E, 223,00 miles, Black/Black

My experience (CIBIE) is that UK (RHD) headlamps are designed to aim the lamp opposite from USA (LHD) lamps. The problem is that the beams are pointing at the opposite angle than is std for LHD (they drive on the wrong side so the lamps point accordingly, when you use 'em here (USA) they are blinding the oncoming traffic).

I have had the same problem with folks who got cheap E Code replacement headlights for the post 86 Volvo 240's-some trolls have been selling UK Junque as Euro/Continental parts and when you try and aim the after install you are SOL!

Here is a link to a guy who can get you any true E Code headlamp (LHD)
http://www.danielsternlighting.com/