Changing headlight bulb on Signum / Vectra C

on many cars it is easiest to reove the adjacent wheel and inner mudguard and reach through that way

Not exactly a roadside job then. To think that the French insist you carry a spare bulb kit so that you can change any bulb on the spot...

Modern cars are just not made with ease of repair in mind - even things that should be a standard DIY service item like a bulb.

Mind you, on that premise, were I take my Mini to France I'd need a 7" sealed beam unit in the boot along with my pair of screwdrivers... plus ca change then!

I'm pretty sure it's doable without removing anything, but it does help if you know exactly how everything comes apart. Air box isn't that hard to come out on these, so it's probably the easiest option, as it'll let you see exactly what you're doing.

Cant you get H4 replacements for them these days?

The manual says to change the fog light bulbs you have to take it to a dealers! Apparently you have to drop the bumper off to get at the holders (old sheets required to stop it getting scratched too?). No mention of removing the airbox for the drivers side, but it does say to remove the washer bottle neck to get to the passenger side.

Bob

He answers himself...

That's very common these days. That's what it says for our Lupo and Fabia.

The famous one, of course, is Golf IV headlight bulbs- possible but tricky without removing the bumper- which is what official manuals say to do.

Yes, but I have a big stash of sealed beams so I haven't bothered.

At minimum, a cross-point and preferably a pair of pliers to detach/reattach the spring. Always assuming the screws on the back haven't rusted up.

But then many modern cars, like our Previa, need a screwdriver to remove the rear light clusters to replace a bulb anyway.

Try doing it on my front ones. Flip up the lights, turn light stalk back one to hold the lights up and off. Remove 6 plastic surround retaining screws, remove 2 chrome lamp retaining screws, withdraw lamp and replace H4. Reverse process to re-assemble. :) Damn pop-up headlights!