Moisture & headlights
Discussion
A topic that has been discussed on this forum previously however, my car has been with HWM for three weeks now and no sign when it will be coming back. HWM have been very good however, the car went in for a sizeable amount of moisture in the off side headlight ... see picture taken the day before the car went in and the near side that is completely clear.
The other work that needed doing was to replace the little catch that releases the petrol flap when you push down on it ... somehow this just disappeared without trace into the rear wing one day.
The catch was given the go ahead on under warranty, the light has been refused despite both the DRL and the indicators not functioning correctly due to water ingress. Car Care Plan who operate the Timeless Warranty claim as the light is still working the unit hasn't been compromised and the claim is rejected. The light obviously needs replacing and this is going to cost £4048 inc. VAT and fitting ... the labour is £362 of the total cost for replacement.
To rub salt in the wound I have been given a reminder the warranty runs out in February 2026 but my thinking is whats the point, if they wont cover 'none wear' items such as failed lights they are unlikely to cover much!!
I have of course appealed to the warranty company but so far no reply despite chasing, I am in contact with the AM dealer that supplied the car and under advice from HWM my last resort will be to talk to client services at AM if all else fails.
Does anyone have any other suggestions?
The other work that needed doing was to replace the little catch that releases the petrol flap when you push down on it ... somehow this just disappeared without trace into the rear wing one day.
The catch was given the go ahead on under warranty, the light has been refused despite both the DRL and the indicators not functioning correctly due to water ingress. Car Care Plan who operate the Timeless Warranty claim as the light is still working the unit hasn't been compromised and the claim is rejected. The light obviously needs replacing and this is going to cost £4048 inc. VAT and fitting ... the labour is £362 of the total cost for replacement.
To rub salt in the wound I have been given a reminder the warranty runs out in February 2026 but my thinking is whats the point, if they wont cover 'none wear' items such as failed lights they are unlikely to cover much!!
I have of course appealed to the warranty company but so far no reply despite chasing, I am in contact with the AM dealer that supplied the car and under advice from HWM my last resort will be to talk to client services at AM if all else fails.
Does anyone have any other suggestions?
Edited by BiggaJ on Tuesday 9th December 10:47
BiggaJ said:
... The catch was given the go ahead on under warranty, the light has been refused despite both the DRL and the indicators not functioning correctly due to water ingress. Car Care Plan who operate the Timeless Warranty claim as the light is still working the unit hasn't been compromised and the claim is rejected. The light obviously needs replacing and this is going to cost £4048 inc. VAT and fitting ... the labour is £362 of the total cost for replacement.
£4,048 to replace one headlight. Unbelievable.
My suggestion would be first, to find out the name of the warranty provider CEO.
You need to write to the organ grinder, not any of the monkeys. [Are we still allowed to use that long-standing saying now?]
The warranty firm have told you, that a failed sidelight and a failed indicator are excluded in their warranty conditions, so I would start a discussion about why they sell warranties which are useless.
Ask which wording in the warranty excludes vehicle and use regulation failures?
If your car was submitted for an MoT test, it would obviously fail, therefore the fault is serious enough to have made your car unroadworthy.
I think the probable reason they will pay for the fuel flap fault, but not the headlight, is they don't like paying for expensive faults.
I can see the newspaper heading. Fault makes car unroadworthy and warranty won't pay.
There might be an ombudsman overseeing warranty firms, perhaps the insurance one.
Good luck. I think you deserve to win this.
If the car is less than 5 years old then the lamp units are covered under the Timeless Extended Warranty Premium.
If the car is over 5 years old it would come under the Timeless Extended Warranty Plus whereby the following applies:-
Electrics
Failure of all factory-fitted components other than: battery, fuses, lamp units and bulbs, cigar lighter, indicator flasher
unit, any in-car entertainment, telephone, navigational or direction finding equipment, wiring and printed circuits.
I have had a number of faults that were not covered by Timeless Extended Warranty Plus but all were completed under this Warranty by the AM dealer who services the car, have a read of the extract below and best of luck.
Extract from the AM Warranty Policy and Procedures manual
GOODWILL INTRODUCTION
In today's highly competitive environment, customers are becoming increasingly demanding and have ever-higher quality expectations of both products and services. Aston Martin, together with our dealer network, will only survive and prosper if we aim to meet these expectations in everything we do.
Clearly, this philosophy implies a need to invest in our customers if we are to retain them within our family.
This section sets a minimum international standard reflecting the brand values that our customers have come to expect from us.
Commitment to customer care should not cease at the end of the warranty period. Aston Martin customers expect fair and sympathetic treatment over the longer term if unexpected post warranty product problems occur. We are determined to work with our dealer networks in order to meet reasonable customer expectations even when the warranty has expired.
AUTHORISATIONS AND CONTROLS
Goodwill is controlled in the following ways:
• All Aston Martin dealers are required to seek prior authority from Aston Martin for all goodwill contributions.
• Only Aston Martin Aftersales Executives, Aston Martin Technical Service and Aston Martin Customer Service may give approval for the contribution.
The objectives of customer satisfaction and retaining brand loyalty are clearly of benefit to all concerned and therefore Aston Martin expects that there will be occasions where dealers will contribute towards customer goodwill costs.
GUIDELINES
A zero contribution may well be the correct decision where no positive extenuating circumstances are evident.
The following are purely minimum guidelines and are applicable to all customers fulfilling the criteria within this document, regardless of country of purchase or vehicle specification.
Markets may expand these minimum criteria in order to satisfy local customers in accordance with local market characteristics.
The following points must be taken into account when considering goodwill contributions:
• Goodwill payments must be deemed to increase customer satisfaction and/or repurchase intention.
• Goodwill payments will be calculated based on warranty rates for parts and labour and not the dealer retail rates.
• A contribution is not to be given as an automatic right. Any contribution should only be at the dealer's discretion following a request from the customer. The decision to provide goodwill assistance must be made on an individual case-by-case basis.
• All customers must be treated fairly, regardless of where the vehicle was purchased.
If the car is over 5 years old it would come under the Timeless Extended Warranty Plus whereby the following applies:-
Electrics
Failure of all factory-fitted components other than: battery, fuses, lamp units and bulbs, cigar lighter, indicator flasher
unit, any in-car entertainment, telephone, navigational or direction finding equipment, wiring and printed circuits.
I have had a number of faults that were not covered by Timeless Extended Warranty Plus but all were completed under this Warranty by the AM dealer who services the car, have a read of the extract below and best of luck.
Extract from the AM Warranty Policy and Procedures manual
GOODWILL INTRODUCTION
In today's highly competitive environment, customers are becoming increasingly demanding and have ever-higher quality expectations of both products and services. Aston Martin, together with our dealer network, will only survive and prosper if we aim to meet these expectations in everything we do.
Clearly, this philosophy implies a need to invest in our customers if we are to retain them within our family.
This section sets a minimum international standard reflecting the brand values that our customers have come to expect from us.
Commitment to customer care should not cease at the end of the warranty period. Aston Martin customers expect fair and sympathetic treatment over the longer term if unexpected post warranty product problems occur. We are determined to work with our dealer networks in order to meet reasonable customer expectations even when the warranty has expired.
AUTHORISATIONS AND CONTROLS
Goodwill is controlled in the following ways:
• All Aston Martin dealers are required to seek prior authority from Aston Martin for all goodwill contributions.
• Only Aston Martin Aftersales Executives, Aston Martin Technical Service and Aston Martin Customer Service may give approval for the contribution.
The objectives of customer satisfaction and retaining brand loyalty are clearly of benefit to all concerned and therefore Aston Martin expects that there will be occasions where dealers will contribute towards customer goodwill costs.
GUIDELINES
A zero contribution may well be the correct decision where no positive extenuating circumstances are evident.
The following are purely minimum guidelines and are applicable to all customers fulfilling the criteria within this document, regardless of country of purchase or vehicle specification.
Markets may expand these minimum criteria in order to satisfy local customers in accordance with local market characteristics.
The following points must be taken into account when considering goodwill contributions:
• Goodwill payments must be deemed to increase customer satisfaction and/or repurchase intention.
• Goodwill payments will be calculated based on warranty rates for parts and labour and not the dealer retail rates.
• A contribution is not to be given as an automatic right. Any contribution should only be at the dealer's discretion following a request from the customer. The decision to provide goodwill assistance must be made on an individual case-by-case basis.
• All customers must be treated fairly, regardless of where the vehicle was purchased.
Jon39 said:
BiggaJ said:
... The catch was given the go ahead on under warranty, the light has been refused despite both the DRL and the indicators not functioning correctly due to water ingress. Car Care Plan who operate the Timeless Warranty claim as the light is still working the unit hasn't been compromised and the claim is rejected. The light obviously needs replacing and this is going to cost £4048 inc. VAT and fitting ... the labour is £362 of the total cost for replacement.
£4,048 to replace one headlight. Unbelievable.
My suggestion would be first, to find out the name of the warranty provider CEO.
You need to write to the organ grinder, not any of the monkeys. [Are we still allowed to use that long-standing saying now?]
The warranty firm have told you, that a failed sidelight and a failed indicator are excluded in their warranty conditions, so I would start a discussion about why they sell warranties which are useless.
Ask which wording in the warranty excludes vehicle and use regulation failures?
If your car was submitted for an MOT test, it would obviously fail, therefore the fault is serious enough to have made your car unroadworthy.
I think the probable reason they will pay for the fuel flap fault, but not the headlight, is they don't like paying for expensive faults.
I can see the newspaper heading. Fault makes car unroadworthy and warranty won't pay.
There might be an ombudsman overseeing warranty firms, perhaps the insurance one.
Good luck. I think you deserve to win this.
I am appealing to AM Nottingham and await their response but I agree with you in excess of £4K is a stupid amount of money for a light unit that cant withstand UK weather and low miles, has been PPF'd from new and remains in perfect condition visually and is cleaned and dried each time in my ownership.
Edited by BiggaJ on Tuesday 9th December 14:02
@SHIFTY .... Thanks Dave for your input. My warranty is the one that covers cars over 5 years old meaning as you point out the lamps may not be included however, the other info you pointed out will go in the back pocket pending any further news from the dealer I bought it from or indeed AM client services.
Edited by BiggaJ on Tuesday 9th December 15:15
SHIFTY said:
If the car is over 5 years old it would come under the Timeless Extended Warranty Plus whereby the following applies:-
Electrics
Failure of all factory-fitted components other than: battery, fuses, lamp units and bulbs, cigar lighter, indicator flasher
unit, any in-car entertainment, telephone, navigational or direction finding equipment, wiring and printed circuits.
Electrics
Failure of all factory-fitted components other than: battery, fuses, lamp units and bulbs, cigar lighter, indicator flasher
unit, any in-car entertainment, telephone, navigational or direction finding equipment, wiring and printed circuits.
Here's hoping the car is not over 5 years old then.
EDIT - PS. Oh dear, I now see that it is.
SHIFTY said:
GOODWILL INTRODUCTION
In today's highly competitive environment, customers are becoming increasingly demanding and have ever-higher quality expectations of both products and services. Aston Martin, together with our dealer network, will only survive and prosper if we aim to meet these expectations in everything we do.
Clearly, this philosophy implies a need to invest in our customers if we are to retain them within our family.
This section sets a minimum international standard reflecting the brand values that our customers have come to expect from us.
Commitment to customer care should not cease at the end of the warranty period. Aston Martin customers expect fair and sympathetic treatment over the longer term if unexpected post warranty product problems occur. We are determined to work with our dealer networks in order to meet reasonable customer expectations even when the warranty has expired.
In today's highly competitive environment, customers are becoming increasingly demanding and have ever-higher quality expectations of both products and services. Aston Martin, together with our dealer network, will only survive and prosper if we aim to meet these expectations in everything we do.
Clearly, this philosophy implies a need to invest in our customers if we are to retain them within our family.
This section sets a minimum international standard reflecting the brand values that our customers have come to expect from us.
Commitment to customer care should not cease at the end of the warranty period. Aston Martin customers expect fair and sympathetic treatment over the longer term if unexpected post warranty product problems occur. We are determined to work with our dealer networks in order to meet reasonable customer expectations even when the warranty has expired.
I think that must have been written by an AML employee, just before they made a career change, to write political manifestos. -
Edited by Jon39 on Tuesday 9th December 14:15
You have all my sympathy.
The above advice is sound. And think that if the warranty route fails, you will never have to pay the 4k:
1. Remove the headlight and take it to a professional to have it dried and resealed.
2. Worst case scenario, if you really want a new one, buy second hand, fix the old one and resell it.
I took a similar route when the LED failed in my previous VH model: scoured the interwebs and found a pair of new V12 headlights (with the black bezel instead of silver) for 800 EUR.
I then took the failed one to an electrician friend who fixed it in his spare time for nothing. Sold the pair of the refurbished headlights for 1500 EUR, so all in all I made 700€.
The above advice is sound. And think that if the warranty route fails, you will never have to pay the 4k:
1. Remove the headlight and take it to a professional to have it dried and resealed.
2. Worst case scenario, if you really want a new one, buy second hand, fix the old one and resell it.
I took a similar route when the LED failed in my previous VH model: scoured the interwebs and found a pair of new V12 headlights (with the black bezel instead of silver) for 800 EUR.
I then took the failed one to an electrician friend who fixed it in his spare time for nothing. Sold the pair of the refurbished headlights for 1500 EUR, so all in all I made 700€.
Your car would have gone through a strict 140 point manufacturer approved checklist by Aston Martin trained master technicians to ensure the best possible quality of vehicle before sale (if purchased as a used car)
Any issues should have been identified as part of the AM Timeless inspection and rectified before the warranty was applied and I would have thought that a lamp unit with moisture in it would have been spotted.
When I purchased a Vanquish Volante from a AM dealer the timeless report stated that it was a coupe and that testing of the convertible roof was N/A.
Makes me wonder if the inspection is not just a tick sheet as 4 weeks later after an independent report it required four new dampers and a front timing cover leak to be repaired (at no cost to me).
Any issues should have been identified as part of the AM Timeless inspection and rectified before the warranty was applied and I would have thought that a lamp unit with moisture in it would have been spotted.
When I purchased a Vanquish Volante from a AM dealer the timeless report stated that it was a coupe and that testing of the convertible roof was N/A.
Makes me wonder if the inspection is not just a tick sheet as 4 weeks later after an independent report it required four new dampers and a front timing cover leak to be repaired (at no cost to me).
Panamax said:
Tip: If you get headlamp condensation, whenever possible park your car outside facing the winter sun.
Tried this when I noticed the condensation forming also drove it (as someone advised) with headlights on even during daylight in order that the warmth may help. Speaking to HWM, you cannot get to the inside of the glass to get heat to it or try to wipe the moisture. The best they could come up with if the DRL and indicator weren't giving problems would have been to put some sachets of desiccant in the back of the unit to absorb the damp.
EVR said:
You have all my sympathy.
The above advice is sound. And think that if the warranty route fails, you will never have to pay the 4k:
1. Remove the headlight and take it to a professional to have it dried and resealed.
2. Worst case scenario, if you really want a new one, buy second hand, fix the old one and resell it.
I took a similar route when the LED failed in my previous VH model: scoured the interwebs and found a pair of new V12 headlights (with the black bezel instead of silver) for 800 EUR.
I then took the failed one to an electrician friend who fixed it in his spare time for nothing. Sold the pair of the refurbished headlights for 1500 EUR, so all in all I made 700 .
Once I get to a point where I'm happy for a new light to be fitted, I will be leaving with the failed unit and seeing if I can dry it out and seal it.The above advice is sound. And think that if the warranty route fails, you will never have to pay the 4k:
1. Remove the headlight and take it to a professional to have it dried and resealed.
2. Worst case scenario, if you really want a new one, buy second hand, fix the old one and resell it.
I took a similar route when the LED failed in my previous VH model: scoured the interwebs and found a pair of new V12 headlights (with the black bezel instead of silver) for 800 EUR.
I then took the failed one to an electrician friend who fixed it in his spare time for nothing. Sold the pair of the refurbished headlights for 1500 EUR, so all in all I made 700 .
BiggaJ said:
Once I get to a point where I'm happy for a new light to be fitted, I will be leaving with the failed unit and seeing if I can dry it out and seal it.
Looks like you'll be joining the ranks of VH owners who are used to putting their light units in an oven every few months... I'm on my third rear light unit in four years and despite keeping the car covered it's just started failing for the second time 
Tucked my VH V8 away for winter at the weekend and had almost full inner lense coverage of condensation after washing it and taking it for a drive…… propped a leaf blower in the wheel well blasting straight into the back of the light with service hatch open, cleared it in 10 mins per side, stuck a large desiccant pouch in the inside of each back cover.
Not sure if the second century headlight are as accessible as that but should sort it for a while?
Not sure if the second century headlight are as accessible as that but should sort it for a while?
@BigaJ
If memory serves, the Timeless warranty also has an "MOT failure" clause, where any faults that cause the car not to pass are covered - I had my complete handbrake system overhauled a few years ago on the back of that. It might be still worth checking if yours does.
If so there's always the option of putting it in for a MOT with the headlight full of condensation and getting a repair because of the failure.
If memory serves, the Timeless warranty also has an "MOT failure" clause, where any faults that cause the car not to pass are covered - I had my complete handbrake system overhauled a few years ago on the back of that. It might be still worth checking if yours does.
If so there's always the option of putting it in for a MOT with the headlight full of condensation and getting a repair because of the failure.
LTP said:
@BigaJ
If memory serves, the Timeless warranty also has an "MOT failure" clause, where any faults that cause the car not to pass are covered - I had my complete handbrake system overhauled a few years ago on the back of that. It might be still worth checking if yours does.
If so there's always the option of putting it in for a MOT with the headlight full of condensation and getting a repair because of the failure.
Nice, I will have a look into this, thank you.If memory serves, the Timeless warranty also has an "MOT failure" clause, where any faults that cause the car not to pass are covered - I had my complete handbrake system overhauled a few years ago on the back of that. It might be still worth checking if yours does.
If so there's always the option of putting it in for a MOT with the headlight full of condensation and getting a repair because of the failure.
EDIT: .....
Just put the PDF copy of the warranty into ChatGPT asking it if the light unit has water ingress would it be covered under the warranty or if the DRL/Indicator are glitching while the main and dipped beams still work, am I covered ... this is the reply.
✅ 1. Moisture inside the headlamp = Covered
Your warranty’s MOT section explicitly lists headlamps being covered for MOT failure due to:
“breakage, discolouration, electrical failure, misalignment, water ingress, and corrosion.”
2023 WARR DOC
Water ingress is named word-for-word.
Even without an MOT failure, water inside the unit indicates a defective sealed headlamp assembly, which is normally covered under the main Extended Warranty (Premium), because headlamp units are not listed under exclusions.
____________________________________
✅ 2. DRL and indicator “glitching” = Covered
Your DRLs and indicators are factory-fitted electrical components.
Under the Premium cover, all factory-fitted electrical components are covered unless excluded. Bulbs are excluded, but LED modules inside integrated headlamps are not treated as bulbs — they are part of the headlamp assembly.
Since the DRL and indicator are integrated LED modules, and the document does not exclude them, they fall under covered electrical items.
Also:
Electrical issues caused by water ingress count as a covered failure.
____________________________________
🟠 3. Why the dealer/warranty administrator should approve it
You have two strong qualifying conditions:
✔ Condition 1: Water ingress
This alone is treated as a headlamp unit defect.
✔ Condition 2: Electrical malfunction
The DRL and indicator fault makes the headlamp unsafe and likely to cause an MOT failure.
Combined, these point to a sealed-unit failure, not wear-and-tear.
____________________________________
🔧 4. MOT failure route (almost guaranteed)
If the dealer or warranty provider is awkward, this is your “backup weapon.”
The MOT Test Cover lists lights as eligible exactly for:
water ingress
electrical failure
misalignment
breakage
corrosion
2023 WARR DOC
And DRL/indicator malfunction will cause an MOT fail.
If the dealer puts the car through an MOT (or pre-MOT check) and the light fails, the warranty must pay under the MOT section up to £2,000.
____________________________________
⭐ 5. Practical verdict for your situation
Your headlamp should be replaced under warranty because:
The sealed light unit is compromised (moisture = defect)
DRL and indicator modules are malfunctioning
These faults are covered under both the Premium Warranty and the MOT Test Cover
You are in a very strong position.
Edited by BiggaJ on Wednesday 10th December 11:14
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