Headlight misting - warranty issue?

[Zippee]

Is missing inside a modern led headlight unit considered a warranty issue (car is under a 2 year approved used warranty)? Car is just over 3 years old.
To me it means a seal has failed - is that right? Warranty book doesn't really say much on these

Warranty wording is as follows;
This warranty does not cover spark plugs, auxiliary drive belts, exhaust system and diesel particulate filter (catalytic converters are covered), clutch frictional material, brake shoes, pads and discs, bulbs (Bi-Xenon bulbs are covered), fuses, batteries, paintwork, body panels, body seals and weather strips, handles and hinges, cosmetic finishes, carpets and trim, upholstery, glass, wiper blades, wheels and tyres, and the adjustment of any component, servicing, maintenance and normal wear and tear

Edited by Zippee on Friday 29th March 10:00

[Geffg]

A small amount of fine mist I’d expect they’d say is normal but if loads of water droplets etc then it should be replaced but good luck. Seen a bmw few weeks ago and was only max 6 months old and the headlight was covered in water droplets made the car look like an old banger. Seems to be common now but it looks awful and can’t be good for all the electronics surely.

[Turn7]

Zippee said:

Warranty wording is as follows;
This warranty does not cover spark plugs, auxiliary drive belts, exhaust system and diesel particulate filter (catalytic converters are covered), clutch frictional material, brake shoes, pads and discs, bulbs (Bi-Xenon bulbs are covered), fuses, batteries, paintwork, body panels, body seals and weather strips, handles and hinges, cosmetic finishes, carpets and trim, upholstery, glass, wiper blades, wheels and tyres, and the adjustment of any component, servicing, maintenance and normal wear and tear

Edited by Zippee on Friday 29th March 10:00

So basically covers nothing,,,,,,

[Zippee]

Geffg said:

A small amount of fine mist I’d expect they’d say is normal but if loads of water droplets etc then it should be replaced but good luck. Seen a bmw few weeks ago and was only max 6 months old and the headlight was covered in water droplets made the car look like an old banger. Seems to be common now but it looks awful and can’t be good for all the electronics surely.

Thanks, kind of what I was thinking.

[Pica-Pica]

If you notice it, it is probably bad. I have never had misting on my 7 year old F30 with LED lamps. I can’t think of a wetter place than where I live!

[normalbloke]

Turn7 said:

Zippee said:

Warranty wording is as follows;
This warranty does not cover spark plugs, auxiliary drive belts, exhaust system and diesel particulate filter (catalytic converters are covered), clutch frictional material, brake shoes, pads and discs, bulbs (Bi-Xenon bulbs are covered), fuses, batteries, paintwork, body panels, body seals and weather strips, handles and hinges, cosmetic finishes, carpets and trim, upholstery, glass, wiper blades, wheels and tyres, and the adjustment of any component, servicing, maintenance and normal wear and tear

Edited by Zippee on Friday 29th March 10:00

So basically covers nothing,,,,,,

Probably an aftermarket warranty, considered by some as a tax for the stupid. Most manufacturers handbooks now expressly say that some condensation inside light units is ‘normal’ and not a fault. Define ‘some’. It has become rife with the minimal heat output from LED units.

[Scrump]

Zippee said:

Is missing inside a modern led headlight unit considered a warranty issue (car is under a 2 year approved used warranty)? Car is just over 3 years old.
To me it means a seal has failed - is that right? Warranty book doesn't really say much on these

Warranty wording is as follows;
This warranty does not cover spark plugs, auxiliary drive belts, exhaust system and diesel particulate filter (catalytic converters are covered), clutch frictional material, brake shoes, pads and discs, bulbs (Bi-Xenon bulbs are covered), fuses, batteries, paintwork, body panels, body seals and weather strips, handles and hinges, cosmetic finishes, carpets and trim, upholstery, glass, wiper blades, wheels and tyres, and the adjustment of any component, servicing, maintenance and normal wear and tear

Edited by Zippee on Friday 29th March 10:00

In response to your question about a failed seal, I don’t think that is correct as I understand that the light units usually have an open vent as part of the design.

[Dogwatch]

If it’s only one unit then it must be faulty. Harder to argue if both units do it.

[Zippee]

normalbloke said:

Probably an aftermarket warranty, considered by some as a tax for the stupid. Most manufacturers handbooks now expressly say that some condensation inside light units is ‘normal’ and not a fault. Define ‘some’. It has become rife with the minimal heat output from LED units.

It's aftermarket in that it's an approved used volvo selekt warranty and I got 2 years when I purchased the car.
Yes I know it's not the same as a full on manufacturer warranty but best pretty much anyone can get in most used cars.
It's only a light misting inside the unit but still looks poor - I'll contact them anyhow and see what they say.

[valiant]

Going through the same at the moment but with a rear light cluster.

Car is approved used but the warranty is still underwritten by a third party company who initially refused to fix it despite water sloshing in the unit as it hasn't actually failed and continues to work.

Dealership were excellent and immediately escalated it up to the manufacturer who agreed to change it out so be prepared for a bit of agro if your dealer isn't proactive.

[normalbloke]

Zippee said:

normalbloke said:

Probably an aftermarket warranty, considered by some as a tax for the stupid. Most manufacturers handbooks now expressly say that some condensation inside light units is ‘normal’ and not a fault. Define ‘some’. It has become rife with the minimal heat output from LED units.

It's aftermarket in that it's an approved used volvo selekt warranty and I got 2 years when I purchased the car.
Yes I know it's not the same as a full on manufacturer warranty but best pretty much anyone can get in most used cars.
It's only a light misting inside the unit but still looks poor - I'll contact them anyhow and see what they say.

if it’s just light misting, park it in the sun. The warranty company will not want to know. BTW, who is it underwritten by?

[Robertb]

My Merc CLS manual says some light misting is normal in certain conditions. They do mist a bit from time to time but it clears.

If you can access the headlight unit eg open the bulb cover and gently heat the unit with a hair dryer then it should clear.

[BigMon]

I had an i30N and they replaced one under warranty (which had water droplets in it) but didn't replace the other as it wasn't misted up badly enough apparently until I sold it back to them and, surprise surprise, when it reappeared on their forecourt that light had been replaced too.

They are a crap design.

[James6112]

My wife’s car, with LEDs gets that.
Seems to be a thing :-

Why is there condensation in the headlamps?
Headlamps have vents to accommodate normal changes in air pressure. Condensation can be a natural by-product of this design. When moist air enters the lamp assembly through the vents, there is a possibility that condensation can occur when the temperature is cold. When normal condensation occurs, a fine mist can form on the interior of the lens. The fine mist eventually clears and exits through the vents during normal operation.
How much condensation is acceptable?
The presence of a fine mist, for example no streaks, drip marks or large droplets. A fine mist covers less than 50% of the lens.

How long may it take for the acceptable condensation to be cleared?
Clearing time may take as long as 48 hours under dry weather conditions.

How much condensation is unacceptable?
A water puddle inside the lamp. Streaks, drip marks or large droplets present on the interior of the lens.

What should I do if unacceptable condensation is present?
Have your vehicle checked as soon as possible.