Lighting device for motor vehicles with enhanced safety in case of impact

The headlight (20), having an impact zone (211) and a housing (30) of which part (31) passes close to a rigid structure (10), has a controlled deformation zone (34) in the housing that provides at least partial absorption of a shock on the impact zone. The deformation zone lies close to the rigid structure and is in the form of a series of pleats (35) running transversely or lengthwise; it can also incorporate a fracture line or a block of an expanded or honeycomb material.