How to Replace the Rear Light Cover of Volkswagen Lavida?
3 Answers
Steps to replace the rear light cover of Volkswagen Lavida: 1. Open the trunk lid and remove the inner lining of the taillight, pry open the clips with a screwdriver; 2. Remove and store the three nuts fixed on it one by one; 3. Unplug the rear taillight wires by hand; 4. Hold both sides of the rear taillight, pull and shake it to separate the taillight from the car body. The dimensions of the Volkswagen Lavida are 4670mm in length, 1806mm in width, and 1474mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2688mm. It is equipped with a 1.5L all-aluminum naturally aspirated engine, featuring a brake assist system, electronic power steering system, hill start assist system, and multifunctional rearview mirror.
Last time I replaced the taillight cover on my Lavida myself, it was a bit more complicated than expected. First, you need to open the trunk and pry off the inner black felt trim panel, which hides three Torx screws. After removing them with a T20 bit, the light assembly can be slowly wiggled out from the outside. The key is to be careful not to tear the waterproof rubber seal. Before installing the new cover, make sure to clean off any residual adhesive. The hardest part was disconnecting the wiring harness plug—there's a small clip that needs to be released with a flathead screwdriver, and I broke a nail the first time. The whole process requires gloves and plastic pry tools, as pulling too hard can easily crack the trim panel clips. After finishing, remember to check all the lights are working before reassembling the trim, or you might have to redo it if a turn signal is missing.
Our repair shop usually recommends replacing the entire headlight assembly when changing this type of lens. While replacing just the lens seems cost-effective, it actually results in poor sealing and is prone to moisture ingress. To remove the headlight housing, you need to unscrew four bolts on the inner side of the rear bumper and also detach the rear half of the wheel arch liner. DIY attempts can easily lead to hand injuries from sharp bumper corners, and plastic clips are prone to breaking. The OEM lens with sealing gasket costs around 240, while aftermarket ones are about 80 but have rough edges. The key is to use foam cleaner to remove oil film after installation, otherwise visibility will degrade within months. Honestly, spending an extra 300 to let the repair shop handle it is more worry-free, as they also take care of adjusting the headlight angle.
