£2K for new headlamps!

[blowupp]

Car info: 2007D5**59K miles, no collisions.

Dear Folks
My XC90 has recently failed MOT due to headlamp beam issue.
Doves main dealer advised new xenon*headlamp units but has been unable to communicate the nature of fault with existing Xenon units to our satisfaction.
Please comment on the suspicious coincidence that BOTH these youthful headlamps need total replacement.
As the issue came up on the first MOT I beleive the car might have been supplied new with foreign parts?

Happy new year everyone.

[cookie]

if its just bulbs, they can be had for less than 20 quid a pair from ebay, and last as long as the genuine ones, which cost over 100 each and seem to last only 3 years (plenty of guff on the V70/S60 sections)

[Clan]

Originally Posted by cookie

if its just bulbs, they can be had for less than 20 quid a pair from ebay, and last as long as the genuine ones, which cost over 100 each and seem to last only 3 years (plenty of guff on the V70/S60 sections)

If they are lasting 3 years they are non genuine . In my long experience , Volvo Bi-Xenon bulbs last around 7 years on average , that is with being used all the time as day running lights .

[Clan]

Originally Posted by blowupp

Car info: 2007D5**59K miles, no collisions.

Dear Folks
My XC90 has recently failed MOT due to headlamp beam issue.
Doves main dealer advised new xenon*headlamp units but has been unable to communicate the nature of fault with existing Xenon units to our satisfaction.
Please comment on the suspicious coincidence that BOTH these youthful headlamps need total replacement.
As the issue came up on the first MOT I beleive the car might have been supplied new with foreign parts?

Happy new year everyone.

we need to know the exact nature of the fault .... Have you noticed anything wrong with the beams when you pull up facing a wall ? Can you see where you are going , do oncomming cars flash you ?

The headlamps are completely independant a fault common to both is likely a car problem . But cannot advise further without more information ..

[Unreal master tech]

Are the lamps ok the lenses have not went cloudy or misted? It is unusual on your age of car to see this but more likely a bulb issue in my experience but like clan said we need to know what the failure is

[blowupp]

Thanks for your interest. What specific further info should I supply you with?

Im sure its not a bulb issue as the MOT center had new bulbs delivered and tried various types of bulb before sending me to main dealer.
The headlamp beam and all related operations seem unchanged from when the car was delivered in 2007.
On both lamp assemblies he clear plastic outer surface has become slightly crazed on the edges near indicators but not interfering with the emitted beam - the internal appearance is as new.
Its just the way that the dealear cant tell me whats up - just quoted to completely replace both lamps makes me think they were wrong items from the start and this has only come up after the 5 year from new grace period.

[Clan]

Originally Posted by blowupp

Thanks for your interest. What specific further info should I supply you with?

Im sure its not a bulb issue as the MOT center had new bulbs delivered and tried various types of bulb before sending me to main dealer.
The headlamp beam and all related operations seem unchanged from when the car was delivered in 2007.
On both lamp assemblies he clear plastic outer surface has become slightly crazed on the edges near indicators but not interfering with the emitted beam - the internal appearance is as new.
Its just the way that the dealear cant tell me whats up - just quoted to completely replace both lamps makes me think they were wrong items from the start and this has only come up after the 5 year from new grace period.

I would pop into your local MOT centre get them to test the aim and give you their opinion . There is no defined fault at present ...

It might be useful for people to know that the micro cracks in the lens are caused by not using volvo wash fluid , you need something with a Ph value less than 8 .

[blowupp]

Originally Posted by Unreal master tech

Are the lamps ok the lenses have not went cloudy or misted? It is unusual on your age of car to see this but more likely a bulb issue in my experience but like clan said we need to know what the failure is

The MOT center tells me that its the "headlamp pattern that does not meet standards" they said there is nothing they can see wrong with the two headlamp units.

What do you folk think about my theory ; that the car was supplied with faulty equipment and that the issue has only been discovered at first MOT?

[Shadeyman]

Perhaps the headlamps are for Europe(drive on the right), the beam patern is different for Europe ?

[derbybiker]

If it's a 2007 model wouldn't the 1st MOT have been due in 2010?
What has happened in the MOT's since then?