MK8 European Tail Light Retrofit w/ Harness!

We show you how to install MK8 Euro LED tail lights on our MK8 GTI. This would be applicable to both GTI and Golf R models from the North American market. Our MK8 LED tail light harness is plug-and-play and requires no coding or wiring at all.
Links to buy tail lights are below!
Today we install MK8 European dynamic tail lights on our GTI! With our wiring harness, this install is entirely plug-and-play with no coding required!
MK8 Euro LED Tail Light Set with Harness
www.shopdap.com/mk8-gti-golfr...
MK8 Black Tinted Euro LED Tail Light Set with Harness
www.shopdap.com/mk8-gti-golfr...
Dynamic LED Tail Light Harness Retrofit for MK8
www.shopdap.com/mk8-led-tail-...
Terminal and Connector Removal Set (3pc)
www.shopdap.com/werkzeug-usa-...
Hatch Boot
www.shopdap.com/5g6-971-829-b...
Hatch Trim Near 3rd Brake Light Clip
www.shopdap.com/4a0-867-276-b...
Hatch Trim on Side
www.shopdap.com/4a0-867-276-b...
Hatch Trim Panel Clip
www.shopdap.com/6n0-867-190-a...
Side trunk panel circular rivet
www.shopdap.com/n-911-585-01....
Shop for VW and Audi Parts Here!
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VW AUDI Specialty Repair Cornelius NC
www.daprepair.com/vw-repair-c...
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VW AUDI Specialty Repair Kent Ohio
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[@ryangarner570]

I don't even have a mk8, but I still watch for the comedy.

[@Syntappi]

Funny thing. You retrofit European parts on cars and here in Europe some Volvo 240, 740 etc. fanatics retrofit American frontends and lights to them 😂

[@SPProduction02]

Its funny how us european in some case do the Usdm swap, and viceversa 😂

[@Syntappi]

@@SPProduction02 yeah the grass is always greener on the neighbours yard 😂

[@feinschmegga]

People always want what they can't easily get

[@jamesk3565]

It's because everyone wants the things they can't have or not available to their region

[@jamesk3565]

@@feinschmegga I didn't read your comment before posting mine...my bad🤣

[@rockervdrive]

Thanks for continuing the R&D and tutorials to enable us to use euro accessories! Your LED tail light and harness kit were one of the first things I purchased when I got my 2017 GTI. 5 years later and they're still performing like new.

[@clos2132]

Aside from the Unitronic Stage 1 tune on my mk7 GTI, the dynamic Euro taillights is my absolute favorite mod on my car. Tremendous!

[@RyanRiopel]

I don't even have a MK8 I just enjoy watching you do this stuff

[@vr6280]

I'm not even in the US, but I still watched to learn more about my Mk 8 Golf. Great video as always :) :)

[@A_Guy123]

Bless you for posting this video! I could’ve sworn someone (probably you) posted it then it was never found and now it’s back! I have been patiently waiting to put these on and can finally do this after I’m done performance modding my mk8. Just need that stage 2 Unitronic to come out already Edit:lol you mention it was you who posted it

[@soopremeteam]

Just installed my euro clears I got from DAP yesterday. Followed this video step by step. No issues whatsoever. Love my tail lights. Thanks!

[@Deutscheautoparts]

Thank you so much for the kind words and support. We appreciate it very much!

[@Benzo1818]

I’m having a VAG shop that’s been in biz for 30 years & Im afraid it’s going to cost 3-4 hrs of labor 😮😱😬

[@soopremeteam]

Dude do it yourself! They literally showed every step. Save your money

[@prestongutelius5150]

For the ID4 JohnnyForElectric found a work around for the module coding restrictions, something similar might also work for the MK8. "The coding of the CECM (J519) "Vehicle Electrical System Control Module" is adjusted accordingly in US vehicles to "Bremslicht_ist_auch_Blinklicht"=Yes (Brake light is also turn light). In addition, the taillight connector has one less pin and the wire harness one less wire. This makes it harder to retrofit yellow rear turn lights into US vehicles.The "Workround/US" column shows suggested connections for US vehicles in case the adaptation "Bremslicht_ist_auch_Blinklicht" cannot be changed to no. If "Bremslicht_ist_auch_Blinklicht"=Yes, the coding is expecting one channel to be coded as "joined turn and brake light" (last row of the table). In addition the load management cannot be disabled by setting the "Lasttyp" to "LED_Kleinleistung_ohne_Open_Load_Diagnose" so it has to be terminated by a resistor. The resistor maximal resistance (minimal current) was determined as 400Ohms, in some situations (with low 12V battery) an error can show on the dash, so the suggested value is 300Ohms (that is approx. 50mA and 0.7W), for safety we picked 10W resistor."

[@2of2DCH]

I salute anyone dedicated(crazy?) enough to do this awesome mod. Thanks Paul for making the vid and solution to intsalling these on the US cars.

[@baelidays88]

The amount of effort that this guy did is amazing, it's like the anatomy lesson of Mk8 back bonnet.

[@sfseals]

nice work paul. I remember the buzz when the MK7 facelift lights were first hacked by you and some others 5 plus years ago. i still like them a bit better than these for now, but maybe they will grow on me and i’ll take the plunge. ( oh wait- i need to buy a MK8 first!)

[@littlebuch]

I'm from the EU and don't own a golf but I'm here for the funny commentary as always!

[@alexcox8497]

the click of the connectors actually sounds very satisfying ☺️

[@dksaevs]

Paul, I'D hope that VW USA would take the hint that we (USA market) want the COOL stuff too!!! GREAT "how to" video. I'll be ordering my set as soon as i pay for the 3k worth of parts I just ordered.... lol

[@Lifescout1094]

Excellent work as always. I enjoy watching Paul’s antics on film. I just wish that DAP had a harness kit for the MK7 Sagitar (Chinese Jetta) tail lights so we sedan folk could get some sequential turns too. It can be done but it’s still a colossal mess.

[@bowbow1970]

Lucky to be UK based where this is all standard kit, good on you for your hard work

But you paid more than United Statesians for a MK8 GTI or R.

[@crispyone2564]

That spoiler looks so goooood. I just had to order one. Thanks so much Paul for making them available paint matched

[@Deutscheautoparts]

Thank you so much for the support, we appreciate it very much!

[@ScuappysDroneVideos1]

As Always, thank you Paul! Looking forward to getting my harness now :-)

[@Deutscheautoparts]

Thanks for the purchase we appreciate it very much

[@erikvoelkle8222]

The rear fog light hard to swallow pills 😂

[@crispyone2564]

Steve out here doing gods work. Thank you sir

[@scottroberts5529]

Definitely be one of my future upgrades when a buy a Mk8 R one day

[@WolfCommander]

Ever video makes me want a golf

[@Mechadondada]

Sticking with the MIB 2 theme, my MK6 Jetta with mostly factory everything, with me driving: Busted Hotness.

[@zolphdiggler]

thats a surprising amount of work lol. looks worth it imo

[@LorenzoRoso]

The most important part of this retrofit is related with adaptations. 👍

[@agent_soshi]

I only use my rear fog light to flash people behind me, we don’t really get conditions that require any fog lights very often

[@crisheath7498]

Very helpful. Thank you!!!

[@masterswift3126]

This is a professional job you did. But one little thing about the wirring harnass behind the interior covers, why did you not tape al te wires at one pease to the factory harnass? Now it looks a jungle tree with wiress if you put the covers off in the future. Than looks very OEM on my opinion and cleaner look if you did it. Otherwiss good video👌👍

[@dennylin5120]

I remember back in vw vortex, you can get someone in Europe to switch with you for the price is shopping!

[@DarkVex]

Good job Paul on this! QQ: For european MK8 GTI it's just a matter of replacing the tail light, it's not necessary to do any coding?

[@lunchboxjoeb]

they make lube for pulling wires too..makes it slide through the grommets way easier

[@AdiusOmega]

Do you know what the part number is for the MK8 C-Pillar? Mine got all scratched up from some boxes sliding around in stacked in the back, I'd like to get it replaced and was pleasantly surprised by this video on showcasing how to remove it, from my favorite dude nonetheless. I'm going to search for the pillar but figured I'd ask here if anyone wants to chime in. Super happy about this little discovery and nice to know it's not really all that difficult to remove.

[@brooklynpratt]

Hey Paul - thanks for the great content. Just so I don't go crazy - There WAS indeed a video just like this one (swapped lights) but you took it down because of the break/turn signal issue, correct?

[@Deutscheautoparts]

Yes there was

[@kmyrgaming9362]

Now I just need get a mk8

[@ethanlainez9679]

Hard or wet. Got it. Thank you DAP!!

[@WaveManMike]

Can you guys make some stuff for the MK7.5 Jetta GLI?

[@cengeb]

Rear fog lights work..had an Audi A6 had the one bright fog near the plate...works great in rain and fog....cops still don't know what it is....even trying to explain it...one foggy rainy night...it caught their attention, it WORKS! It's required in Germany, cus at 100 mpg ya want to be seen..FMVSS108 is the regs

[@mikesvirtualgarage9917]

Awesome content as always. One question, regarding the white plastic piece (that you broke a tab off of) thats under the rubber flexy pieces at the top of the hatch body area. Since wires go through those do you need to pull the wiring through to install, or are they cut so you can just slip over? *sticks finger in hole and wiggles* :D

[@Deutscheautoparts]

You pull through to install

[@xav3ng3rx]

Any chance you could look into the clutch delay valve delete for this car? Or is it not worth the hassle for this car?

[@phillip3330]

FYI: The US spec tailights are also the poverty-spec tailights in Europe. You retrofitted the IQ lights tailights, that comes with the IQ light headlights.

[@adamm8025]

Yet the brake lights are brighter and better than "moving turn signal" brake lights

[@phillip3330]

@@adamm8025 Do you find the normal brakelights brighter than the IQ matrix taillights breaklight? I have the IQ lights on my EU spec Mk8 R and they're pretty bright.

[@Sn8kbordin]

@@phillip3330 I bet they are. This is some poor adapter to make them work on models in USA and brake lights do not look brighter than parking lights around them in this video

[@ThunderGoatz]

Out here showing everyone how to make the MK8 look half decent. Thats awesome

[@Adamr916]

Can y'all possibly look into doing a harness to retrofit the Chinese market MK7 Jetta tail lights to the USDM ones? There's only been one person to do it, but he's since disappeared from the internet without giving anyone an update for installing them.

[@truckchris5315]

Do the euro spec lights also have a white reverse indicator, or is that eliminated along with the fog light?

[@phil6012]

Do the brake lights work when the car is off or will the fuse for the 12v power outlet need to be moved to make the outlet hot all the time?

[@curtaberle1783]

Hi Paul, will there ever be aftermarket I.Q. Matrix headlights for the MK8 R/GTI?

[@phonephixer]

Paul, can you make the harness for the IQ Lights to work on the Arteon?

[@hedrickoYO]

I NEED! the best/practical mod for NA mk8

[@ChrisBrown-qr4zz]

Is the boot replacement (black conduits under the spoiler) basically the same as on the MK7?

[@semcf_h2p]

I had this video on in the background while I was re-wiring my MK5 Jetta harnesses for my new Euro LED tail lights. Paul started talking wire colors just when I was moving my own wires. This meant I had to recheck my own schematics 100 times. Probably should have picked a different video for the garage. Oh well.

[@alfalfasprout69]

Seems very strange to have tail lights different for the US market In Australia, the indicator is on the wrong side so it does seem odd to manufacture different break lights

[@charleskaczmarek6568]

@Deutsche Auto Parts, I noticed that there are two options on your website for these lights, both from the same manufacturer, just one is official VW (Euro imported marked on the website). Are there any differences in terms of functionality and/or lens color vs. the MK8 Euro tails? I only ask because back in the MK7's the OEM Euro tails were a darker cherry. Thanks for the info and the great how-to video!

[@Deutscheautoparts]

No they are the same lights. Only difference is that one says IQ Lights and the other does not.

[@charleskaczmarek6568]

@@Deutscheautoparts excellent, thank you!

[@KamilK3]

Apart from dynamic turn signal which is nice, i like old light more. And one thing about rear fog light not working- isn't it required in US that vehicle has at least rear fog lights working (front ones not required) ? At least in EU car will not pass MOT without it working

[@Peylix]

USDM don't get rear fogs at all. DOT doesn't require such. Which is dumb imo, rear fogs are nice. I use mine in heavy downpours with limited visibly as well as a tailgater deterrent. My aftermarket MK7 euros have dual rear fogs and they work wonderfully.

[@Zoldran]

Hey Paul, did you put those fenderettes back on your GTI? Pretty sure I saw you take them off right after getting the car but I now see them back on the GTI. What gives?

[@soopremeteam]

I noticed after installing this the signals don’t do the dynamic function when locking and unlocking your car. When watching a walk around on the ones from overseas they do the dynamic signals when locking and unlocking car

[@redsiput44]

How bout front headlights dynamic turn signal light, got software to turn it on from current blinking?

[@righteous247]

St.Paul doing the Lord's work yet again

[@roccos7858]

If u have to only switch the outer driver? You don't have to remove all that, just the one piece, correct?

[@LookingThroughOsLense]

Do you have any video for passat LED tail lights? Halogen to Led, do you need a harness or is it plug and play?

[@kristijancoric3604]

Paul has been yanking things since he hit puberty😉...Ive been using rear fogs regularly since my Mk3 onwards. The amount of cheep plastic in a MK8 GTi is bigger than in my basic Mk2 Golf....WOW🤔🤯 Pauli D gots some mad wiring skillz

[@Jonathan_Doe_]

Sequential indicators are cool, but the US spec looks way brighter/more visible than that streak of piss line through the middle of the other lights.

[@prestongutelius5150]

Great video. Would you consider offering tail light kits or harnesses for the ID4? In the US we did not get the premium ID.light tail lights and even our base version is slightly different (losing the separate amber turn signal on the euro spec for a red combo turn/brake).

[@Deutscheautoparts]

This is not likely due to the very limited market appeal

[@prestongutelius5150]

@@Deutscheautoparts Noted, thanks for the reply! (with the increased deliveries from manufacturing in Chattanooga I'll keep my fingers crossed that the demand might be there eventually)

[@dragospahontu]

@@prestongutelius5150 it will

[@borisakrapovic1293]

I wish Dap sells tiguan mk2 taillight harness for EU version taillight

[@marsdahustler]

how did you remove the RED strip on the headlights?

[@DarkSStorm]

Hey, do you have this kind of set for VW Arteon?

[@Statzinbrow]

Could this be done for the 2022 Tiguan

[@kcav1255]

To be fair though, switchback twilights from the factory, that’s pretty cool.

[@adamm8025]

And brighter brake lights too

[@mustaphaaitoukhalek8892]

Hello, can you tell me to coding Audi a7 the BCM2 to Europe version, brake lights and turn signals flashing in same place, so I want to separate them, if it possible with OBDeleven pro, I already replaced the taillight and changed wires places but still need coding

[@gregoryschwarz2730]

Ok but are there fog lights in the non dynamic tail lights?

[@JuanPerez-om2vj]

I heard the VLand Euro tail lights are plug and play.

[@TheSupaturk]

Would these fit on a T-Roc R 2023?

[@coryvaillancourt]

I call the " fish tape or snake" and "pickle stabber" When taping to the pickle stabber, use elec tape, and some dish soap. It will slip right through, like goose poop

[@PMPAKULA]

Is there a subwoofer retrofit yet? My premium sound got deleted due to the ship shortage on my MK8 I'm trying to get a subwoofer hopefully the original one or old fender from the mk7

[@Deutscheautoparts]

Do you have a connector in your trunk for it?

[@PMPAKULA]

@@Deutscheautoparts nope :( it does not. I wish it did. I would have kept my sub from my mk7. If you guys want to come up with something . I am in the Northern VA area 15 minutes from Lindsey VW where you picked up the MK8. We could always test it out on mine.

[@AntonPanteleev]

Purchased 👍

[@sebastiangrana6793]

Do you think it would be possible to retrofit the front bar grille light onto an r-line or a standard mk8?

[@Deutscheautoparts]

Yes you would need to figure out how you were going to wire in to control it

[@lunchboxjoeb]

you are in a constant state of carefulling lol i would have marred and scratched all sorts of shit trying to use metal pry tools

[@martinouellette7170]

Why it's not just plug & play I would like to have eurolight but it's too complicated for me to install.

[@alexjohnson6999]

I want to do this to my Tiguan mk2.5 as I don’t have the IQ led rear lights :( can this be done ?

[@cengeb]

ya should get a fiber glass fish, it is more flexible, and less scratchiness of the paint

[@jasonsabbagh5993]

Great I have every reviewer saying that my MK8 sucks and now I realize my tail lights are trash

[@Deutscheautoparts]

It’s your car like what you like. No one can tell you what you should and shouldn’t like. Except these tail lights…. Buy them 😜

[@MMN403]

What about the front IQ headlights?

[@richardhunt1384]

So do you have Government Vehicle Inspections (like the yearly MOT here in the UK)in the US then( or does that vary by State?) that require a vehicle to have a functioning Rear Fog Light or is it simply not cared about whether a vehicle has it or not??

[@jameshaulenbeek5931]

It depends on the state - there are quite a few that don't even require safety inspections, or the inspection is very minimal.

[@zolphdiggler]

some states do. im in Georgia. we have emissions and thats it.

[@prestongutelius5150]

Rear fog lights are not required anywhere in the US.

[@sfseals]

@@prestongutelius5150 this is why we have 50 car pile-ups in the fog.

[@JoeyLovesTrains]

Yay! They should’ve came with the car from stock

[@felipecunha9293]

Does changing factory functionality affect vehicle registration with the DOT?

[@canadianaviator]

You can change it back to stock for inspection

[@kirtwalker9325]

Do you have a dynamic kit for a Jetta (2023 GLI)?

[@bakingsteele]

Leaving us Mk6 folks out of the fun... I get it.

[@peterhess6039]

I prefer the euro tail lights But I don’t like the sequential indicators on any cars

[@AgentOffice]

Can you do GLI

[@brandonsoo5386]

I'm gonna be waiting for a set of clear Mk7.5 euro tails forever. 😩

[@noke3391]

Golf Has The best tail lights of any car IMO the EU Version that is.

[@guamdubber]

The Golf R is a bit different. How do you get that damn lighter switch off? I can't seem to find a way to release it

[@apachehelicopterah64]

Do you have adaptor harnesses and coding information for 2018 Tiguan for euro taillights? Same situation with running wirings from outer to inner lights AND different connectors. I bought a set 4 years ago hoping they’d bolt up like my Mk6 Jetta. They didn’t and have been sitting in a box……. Please help!!!!

[@dragospahontu]

Did you figure it out?

[@apachehelicopterah64]

@@dragospahontu nope…….I gave up 4 years ago. That’s why I’m asking a guy that HAS figured it out fur help!!! Lmao

[@dragospahontu]

@@apachehelicopterah64 maybe you should look at the golf 7 videos

[@jtb52]

Good asmr video.

[@cengeb]

Technically if those rear light assys. dont have a DOT SAE imprint, they are illegal...really...look into FMVSS108

[@erikthie2253]

it is too bad that vw doesn't wire them for both and then also have the same plug for the two different lights. it seems weird to me that they spent more money by having two different wiring harnesses. it doesn't seem german...

[@davej.6290]

I would have liked to buy one of the haldex-tshirts … 😢

[@brownah]

Nice vid but need another road trip/swap series with Charles plzzzzz

[@Deutscheautoparts]

We got something coming for you

[@mayaizak2867]

Where is the link to purchase this

[@esu2537]

So I tought about it, and I had them on my cart, but uhh after watching this video I think ima just leave them as they are.

[@AlpoMartinez88]

I use my rear fog on my Audi when the weather is crazy

[@adamm8025]

I use high beams on people who blind me with their rear fog lamps in all weather