Now we are into the dark nights, more and more cars are driving around, it appears to me, with faulty lights.
When I started driving it was a simple matter to change a problem bulb, indeed I always carried a complete set of spares.
But now it seems car manufacturers make such a simple task impossible.
Why? One Discovery, gone
Now on third Freelander 2
2013 HSE Auto Orkney Grey

How hard is it too change a bulb I've not got mine yet. My guess is that they want you to take it back to a dealer and make more money from you  MY14 Kahn Converted Dynamic - Fuji White Ebony/Pimento Interior
MY15 Xenon Headlight Conversion

MY17 RRS SVR - Estoril Blue Cirrus/Ebony 🪣💺’s

Changing a bulb on the FL2 is simple in principle, but the practice can be a different matter!

To change a bulb in the headlight assembly, for example, one has to remove the entire headlight assembly! This requires the removal of two screws and the pressing (or is it lifting, I can't remember) of a lever, Then the assembly can be moved forward, its connector removed, and finally the headlight removed.

Once you've done it a couple of times it's easy, but in my case at least the headlight didn't want to budge the first time even after the screws had been removed and the lever moved in the appropriate direction. It was as though something was jamming it underneath. It came out eventually, but easy? No. (And if one were to drop the headlight...!)

So replacing a bulb on a modern car *is* easy. Except when it's not.

I feel your pain or at least I did when I replaced my daughters Ka head light bulbs - what a f ing mare of a job!! The nearside had gone so thought it best to replace them both while I was at it. 4 hours later, blood, sweat and almost tears I finished it. Apparently its one of the few that Halfrauds WONT do in the carpark for a fiver either. And you know how it is - wife asks "how long it will take?" or "are you nearly finished yet?"

Now I fitted new LED side lights on the "Beast" - five minute job. 2 x screws, one lever, slide out, unplug wiring, twist and remove old side light, insert new LED side light, re-connect wiring plug, slide back in, 2 x screws - job done

Well done LR - nice and simple for a change. (Sorry Pab - at least mine was) MY2010 TD4 HSE Santorini Black, 19" Alloys, Almond Leather, Lux Pack, Rear Spoiler, Adaptive Xenons

We've got a Citroen relay van at work. Head light had gone. I read the manual, seemed easy enough, reach in behind headlight and pull bulb out. In practice had to remove trim under the headlight then remove headlight. Quite an easy job when you have all the tools, would be a complete nightmare on a garage forecourt or at the side of the road. I do not know why manufacturers have to make things so hard? Black MY2013 SD4 GS Auto, Wood Company Armrest, Freel2 sticker.
Gone MY2010 Freelander 2 Manual TD4.e S, Alaska White.

Very interesting topic
Must admit, I've found FL2 quite easy, but................

It's my opinion, for what it's worth, is that filament bulbs should be capable of being be changed at the roadside without tools or technical knowledge. In fact, I could change the headlamp and sidelamp bulbs in the pitch dark on my old Wolseley 6 as it had a underbonnet light unit.
Mrs Pegleg has a Streetka and as Dave 007 pointed out, it's a nightmare. Bentley Arnage requires the airboxes removed!

It's due to a combination of things, ease of assembly on the line, crash worthiness and emissions.
Doesn't make it right though. Another member of the failed FL2 clutch/DMF club, twice.

Headlamp bulbs relatively easy on FL2 (at least it was on my MY08).

But the Clio is a pig so I always pay the couple of quid (or whatever it is) to a young man (only been a man so far) in Halfords and feel guilty when he removes his bloody fingers from behind whatever bit of packed-in gadgetry is in the way.

On the Freelander, once you have done it once it is easy to do again. I like being able to take the whole light out easily as then access is easy to the bulbs inside. Can remember on a Citroen struggling to see what I was doing and removing other parts to get it right. Plus grazing knuckles.

Have I not read in the past about Volvos or Renaults that need several hours of dismantling and reassembly?

As to the number of people driving around with one lamp working or 'compensating' by switching on the front foglights, don't get me started! I cross-country on unlit roads in winter to work and back... but now we have cyclists with very bright LED front lamps pointing into your eyes to blind us as well. 2016 BMW X3 30d SE in red
MY2013 SD4 XS Firenze Red, 19" 10 spoke contrast paint wheels, Signature Strips, Grand Black Lacquer trim, Cold Climate Pack - gone!
2007 TD4 S Stornoway Grey - gone!

Changed the headlamp bulbs on my daughters Clio. Ended up taking the whole bumper off.  Past: FL2 TD4 HSE Auto
Evoque SD4 Dynamic Lux Auto
Present: Audi A3 S Line.

I understand that in France that if you are stopped for a failed lamp, the gendarms expect you to replace it from the kit that you have to carry on the spot. Perhaps some of the french manufacturers need to look at their designs.

As I take the Freely to France several times a year, before I took it the first time I did a practice change of bulbs at home just in case of a roadside failure. Found the job straight forward but LR don't supply a spanner in the vehicle to remove the two 10mm bolts securing the headlamp unit. I found an old cheap spanner which had been supplied with some self assembly furniture which is now blue-tacked to one of the headlamp bolts should such a bulb failure occur. Also carry a magnetic LED torch (B&Q-£5) under the bonnet just in case.

Can't remember whether it was a peugeot or renault convertible, but my mate ended up having to strip all sorts of stuff out to change his wifes' headlamp bulb,including the ecu.