|
Around about this time last year, I clipped a deer on the way home from work; deer got up and went of it's way but my headlight was broken. Because it is adaptive xenon, it's pretty rare and its impossible to get a good second hand(working) replacement. In September of 2021 I bit the bullet and ordered a new one from my local dealer. Because the bare piece of plastic with no bulbs or modules cost £1200, I was unable to pay over the phone and so I paid while I was there the following month for a recall. The headlight was supposed to arrive in early December but it is now the end of January and they still dont know when they might have it. The car has now run out of Mot and so it is off the road. BMW customer service are so incredibly lazy, they have not done anything other than say "we understand your frustration" without having done anything further to address the situation. I wish I could cancel the order and buy it elsewhere but they have me over a barrel because you can only buy it from them. For all I know the headlight might not arrive for another year, all the time, they have my money !
|
|
So you drove from last January to last September with a broken headlight?
|
So you drove from last January to last September with a broken headlight?
I'm sure it is perfectly legal to drive a car with a broken headlight during daylight hours, as long as it doesn't have any sharp edges to injure someone.
|
|
|
|
|
Is there a part number on the invoice? If so, type it into google and then go to the section past images called shopping, will probably bring up other options.
|
|
Pretty sure Hella supply these. Call KMS in Birmingham with part number if you have it.
|
|
As above I am sure Hella or an OEM manufacturer or a breaker could supply the headlight, then get refund
Edited by Ian D on 27/01/2022 at 21:37
|
|
1, This sound like a very expensive car. The OP can afford to buy and run such a car but has to wait (and drive around with broken headlight) 8 months before being able to afford to fix it?.
2, If the car was insured, surely the OP would claim for the headlight?. Therefore the price of the headlight wouldn't be a factor.
3, If ordering this very expensive headlight from a BMW dealer, surely you wouldn't be expected to pay for it till it arrives?.
|
I'm sure it is perfectly legal to drive a car with a broken headlight during daylight hours, as long as it doesn't have any sharp edges to injure someone.
I'm pretty sure (but not 100%) that it isn't legal to drive with a broken headlight, regardless of whether it is light or dark (In the same way that it isn't legal to drive with a broken fog light, even when it isn't foggy). Of course during the daylight hours, the chances of this being discovered is probably very slim (assuming DLR's still work).
As far as I can ascertain, being found driving a car with broken headlights would result in a £100 fine (though that would probably be down to the discretion of the Police officer). And if the fine is unsuccessfully challenged in court, that could rise to £1000.
|
|
Fair point about insurance bbd.
Even if the OP had a hefty excess on his policy, it would be worth claiming.
It seems to be the long lead time which is annoying Simon more than the cost.
|
It seems to be the long lead time which is annoying Simon more than the cost.
But if having only one working headlight for the last four months has been such a problem, why was it OK to manage with just the one for the previous eight months, before actually ordering a replacement?.
I'm also still puzzled about BMW having his money. I don't know how this works, but as I said earlier, I wouldn't expect to pay up front for this, only when it arrived. Is that not the case?.
|
It seems to be the long lead time which is annoying Simon more than the cost.
But if having only one working headlight for the last four months has been such a problem, why was it OK to manage with just the one for the previous eight months, before actually ordering a replacement?.
I'm also still puzzled about BMW having his money. I don't know how this works, but as I said earlier, I wouldn't expect to pay up front for this, only when it arrived. Is that not the case?.
I've had occasions when I've ordered something from a main dealer that I've had to leave a deposit - or for small items pay the full amount.
|
|
INSIST on your money back as they have failed miserably to supply your part. You do not say which model year your car is. Presumably you have tried Ebay. On google you can put a request to certain parties and they will scour their contacts of salvage suppliers for a stated part. Also there are a few BMW breakers who have warehouses of parts. If you go looking just google BMW breakers and get on the phone
|
|
|
|
<< I've had occasions when I've ordered something from a main dealer that I've had to leave a deposit - or for small items pay the full amount. >>
Those occasions were probably when you ordered a non-stock item, which might have to stay on the shelf if you changed your mind. Stocks at a main dealer must represent a lot of non-working capital, so you can understand why they try to prevent that kind of problem.
|
<< I've had occasions when I've ordered something from a main dealer that I've had to leave a deposit - or for small items pay the full amount. >>
Those occasions were probably when you ordered a non-stock item, which might have to stay on the shelf if you changed your mind. Stocks at a main dealer must represent a lot of non-working capital, so you can understand why they try to prevent that kind of problem.
I was explaining, not complaining - but I've never had to commit big money until the part(s) arrived.
|
|
Looks like customer services are anything but!
However there is a wider issue - to be properly informed car buyers should understand the costs of frequently needed spares. This should include bumpers, light units, shocks, brake pads and discs, cambelt change, to name but a few obvious items.
Would I buy a car which may at some point need a £1200 light unit - not a chance!
|
|
Some BMW parts to special order have to be paid in full at time of order.
|
|
My specialist paintwork repairer told me he was asked to repair a broken headlamp on an Audi A6 so that the owner could avoid having to claim on his insurance.
He soon changed his mind when he found the headlamp unit cost £2500 and of course the repair to the bumper.
As expected the car was withdrawn and taken the insurance route.
|
My specialist paintwork repairer told me he was asked to repair a broken headlamp on an Audi A6 so that the owner could avoid having to claim on his insurance.
He soon changed his mind when he found the headlamp unit cost £2500 and of course the repair to the bumper.
As expected the car was withdrawn and taken the insurance route.
Impressive. About 6X the cost of my whole car 8 years ago, which came with two headlamps which are still working.
But of course it isn't a BMW
|
|
|
|
|
If the car is legally undriveable and permanently off the road without an MOT pass-is it not therefore a “write off”
|
If the car is legally undriveable and permanently off the road without an MOT pass-is it not therefore a “write off”
No
|
|
|
|
|
As far as I can ascertain, being found driving a car with broken headlights would result in a £100 fine (though that would probably be down to the discretion of the Police officer).
I was once stopped by the BIBs for having a (H4 halogen) headlight out. I pointed out it wasn't completely out, but the bulb had blackened and there was also a sidelight working that side. I explained it was working perfectly when I'd started my journey, but had gradually dimmed. I'd stopped and examined it and decided to complete my journey and replace the bulb the next day in the comfort and light of my garage. I produced a spare bulb and offered to change it if the BIB would escort me to a safe place (although I'd hate to attempt it in the dark). I had fewer than ten miles to complete my journey. The BIB relented.
|
|
My neighbour has a two year old BMW 1 series. It needs a new wiper blade. The local dealer hasn’t got one and can’t promise when it will be available. He got one online but it’s one of the last available. He is pretty handy but apparently there is something specific about the fitting that means you do need OEM blades. I find this unlikely but he is adamant that’s the case.
At the same time an acquaintance has a plug-in hybrid Jag that won’t charge properly. The dealer says the parts needed won’t be available until December. Having kicked up a fuss they have given her a courtesy car to the same spec and agreed to see if they can better the parts delivery.
Isolated examples or the tip of an iceberg?
|
|
My 2021 Golf GTI headllight (LED) was smashed on the motorway by a stone thrown up by a lorry in front of me which drove on regardless. Dealer quoted me £1,800. Had to put it through my insurance.
|
|
|
|
|
|
