V70 2001 estate drivers side headlamp woes [110k miles]

[RW2402]

This is my first post, so forgive me if this problem has been raised before - I did a search, but couldn't find my particular problem. First general comment is that I have never owned a car that burns out bulbs so frequently. I have had it for about a year and have never enjoyed a fortnight without getting an error message to say that a bulb has gone. I still have a message saying that a position light has failed but can't find which bulb has gone!

The headlamp problem is that the dip-beam pattern of the driver's side lamp is 'high' compared with the nearside lamp and 'flared' rather than sharply cut off. My local non-Volvo garage says it is caused by a defective seat for the bulb, causing it to tilt the bulb slightly. The manual says that if the bulb has been handled with oily hands [quite likely as the bulb is a b***** to fit and has been replaced 4 times], the resulting fumes burnt off can permanently damage the surface of the reflector.

The car has passed its MOT without alerting the beam police and only occasionally gets me flashed by oncoming traffic - so I have been delaying forking out the £400 for a new lamp unit for which I have been quoted until I know for sure what's causing it. Any ideas please?

Roger

[Busamav]

We have a V70 and an S60 with daytime running lights and they both eat bulbs , sorry lamps.