Hello everyone - my first post, so hoping someone might be able to help.

I am trying to import my UK XC40 T5 Petrol 2018 (First edition) to Switzerland.

At the vehicle inspection, the only main issue I am having a problem rectifying is the dipped beam alignment. In all XC40 from 2019, this is a simple menu option to change the direction of the light from right-hand drive countries to left-hand drive. Unfortunately that menu option is not on 2018 models. I have fully adaptive lights and have not had any issues (6 months in Switzerland) with drivers flashing me because of my lights.

I have been to a Swiss Volvo dealer who was very helpful but after discussion with Volvo technical said nothing could be done other than change the lights - followed by a 3500 CHF cost!!!!

UK Volvo customer services said they could not help as I was in Switzerland. Thanks for the help Volvo UK!

I am staggered that there is no way to go into the software to align lights (given they have the adaptive lights that move) - surely this could be needed anytime to get through local MOT or the like.

Let me know if you know of a solution other than changing the lights. Suppose that is the only way then how easy is it to change the lights DIY - I can get second-hand lights for 500 CHF which might be the option.

The final option is to take the car back to the UK and get one in Switzerland but the car is faultless, bought as a demo car so has been the only real owner. I have all the things I need a tow bar, roof racks etc and can't afford to replace all those things really!

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

 

Hey Julian, I'm in a similar situation (with Sweden) and my 2018 XC60.
I don't have any answers but I wanted to offer some moral support.
If I find out anything I will post here as well.

Good luck!

 

Thanks for the support, Craig. Likewise will post on your thread if I find anything out.

 

A very unsatisfactory outcome.

According to Volvo (while they were installing the new fog light) there is no software fix available for changing RHD light to LHD even if you can physically install the correct lights.
When we costed everything it became evident that this was going to cost way too much and be too complex to undo when we need to sell the car later.

So I'm driving back to the UK to sell it.
I don't know if the same is true with the XC40 but I wouldn't be surprised.

 

I did look into 2nd hand LHD lights, but there are 10+ different product numbers and if I got the wrong one and they won't work, plus I asked a couple of local garages and they did not want to fit 2nd hand lights.

As you said the cost is extortionate for the fix, so we are looking at buying in Switzerland and taking our UK car back to sell. The car was perfect for us and had no issues with it!

However, the cost to buy the same car and spec just a year newer and 10k km less is like £42k and in the UK my car at Carwow is £28k so over 10k out of pocket I would say.

Very frustrating. Hope you can get a good price for yours and get something you want in Sweden.