My friend with a Toyota tried changing his headlight bulb one day and lost the metal clip.

He rang the local stealers and they said that they don't sell the clip separately but he needed the whole headlight at a cost of £90

I rang another Toyota dealer (not part of the same group) to be told the same thing.

It seems ridiculous and the only time I read about things like this is in WhatCar (when someone needed clips for a Merc grill)

What would happen if one of their technicians had lost the clip?

They wouldn't replace the whole headlight, surely they'd have spare clips.

I think my friend will be more careful with his headlight bulbs in future now though.

If the manufacturer doesn't make the clip available separately for the dealers to order then thats all they can say unfortunately.

could always buy a spare from a scrap yard, would be much cheaper than a dealer.

When i change a headlight I strip the old one of all the old clips etc for such occasions.

You could get a big magnet for £90

I presume you mean the "spring clip" thingie that holds the bulb in? If so my question is sort of reversed, cos your mate is the only person I've ever heard of losing one, so "HTF did he do that?"

This is a common problem on alot of manufacturers cars. It is not just a Toyota issue. Many people do drop them and lose them. Many snap from old age and abuse because they are in places where you can't see what you are doing and need to feel what you are doing. Some are clamped in and therefore do not lend themselves replacement.

Keith

TBH I haven't damned clue how he managed it.

I have dropped a clip changing a Hondas headlight but I found it again as it dropped into the bumper lip or something on its way down.