Just put my Fabia Mk 2 through an MOT and it came back with a fail on the headlights. They said one was pointing too high and the other too low.  They said the levelling motors were receiving power but not working at all.  They have quoted £130 for a new headlamp cluster for each side, which with fitting comes to an eye watering £500!  

 

A quick check online shows that the motors can be bought for between £20 and £45 each.  So why am I being quoted for an entire replacement headlight?!  Is replacing the motors difficult?

 

What do you think? Am I being unreasonable in wanting to know why they are selling me complete light units?

 

They also found that one of the handbrake cables had come loose so wasn't working.  They've reconnected it but I got them to replace the whole brake system last year.  Should this be done under warranty for the brake work they did?

 

Not having a good day here..

Unfortunately you're being treated as a cash machine and you should go elsewhere.

agreed 100% and no replacing the motors is easy, although you do have to remove the headlamps to do it.

 

I would love to know "how" they know they are receiving power...........did they disconnect the headlamp plugs, check and route the loom to see, then test with a multimeter to see if there is power there........all on a MOT test OR did they diagnose it on your authority ?

 

On the flip side, You don't even need / require working headlamp levelling, if they are not working the headlamps can be adjusted to meet requirements,  takes 2 mins, job done. If the garage is incapable of doing this task for a small fee, then they should not even be MOT'ing vehicles.

 

Part number for the motors is 5j0941295

Even from a dealer, would be approx £40 ish with vat each, maybe less.

 

Where in the UK are you located ?

 

If your local to me (derbyshire) I would happily assist in fitting new motors (if actually required) etc for nout, I cannot stand garages that try rip people off !!!

Edited 15 June, 20223 yr by UrbanPanzer

54 minutes ago, UrbanPanzer said:

If your local to me (derbyshire) I would happily assist in fitting new motors (if actually required) etc for nout, I cannot stand garages that try rip people off !!!

 

@Fba - Happy to fit these for nothing on one of my days off if you're local to the south of Scotland, that is.

That's very kind of you both.  Unfortunately, when I challenged the garage they showed me the headlight cluster and the motor was embedded inside and didn't seem to be easily replaced (unlike every YouTube video I watched last night).  I needed the car to get home so had to pony up. 

 

Is that right though, a manual adjustment would have got it through the MOT?!! How do they get away with saying I had to replace all the units?!!

 

 

2 hours ago, Fba said:

That's very kind of you both.  Unfortunately, when I challenged the garage they showed me the headlight cluster and the motor was embedded inside and didn't seem to be easily replaced (unlike every YouTube video I watched last night).  I needed the car to get home so had to pony up. 

 

Is that right though, a manual adjustment would have got it through the MOT?!! How do they get away with saying I had to replace all the units?!!

 

 

 

100%

 

You have paid and done the deed now, but heres the info you asked about regarding the replacement of the motors (from Skoda workshop manual)

 

 

 

 

They held your car to ransom to make you pay, that's shameful, don't use that garage again.

 Hi

 

I think I have the same problem as the OP. MOT fail with one headlight adjustment motor not working. 2008 Fabia 2.

 

It seems - if the motorized adjustment is fitted, it must work (relatively recent MOT rules).

 

Getting the headlight out is hard enough - you have to remove so much body work. But I can't see how anyone could get at the motor in the headlight housing - and it doesn't look like the housing comes apart. 

 

Is there another part to that workshop manual for replacing the motor in earlier models? 

 

Thanks

OP here - I understand that the newer light units cannot be opened up - another Skoda design fail (from the customer perspective).  You would need to cut the plastic open to get at the motor.  To be honest, since you have got the unit out, I would be tempted to have a go if you think you have the tools/skills.

 

The workshop manual is for an older model.  However, it may give an indication of where the motor is.

 

I am still fuming at spending £600 or whatever it was to remedy the motorised lights issue.  To add insult to injury, the blue main beam light doesn't come on now which I think must be linked to the new units and poor fitting. I no longer use that garage.

 

Best of luck!

On 30/05/2023 at 14:42, Fba said:

OP here - I understand that the newer light units cannot be opened up - another Skoda design fail (from the customer perspective).  You would need to cut the plastic open to get at the motor.  To be honest, since you have got the unit out, I would be tempted to have a go if you think you have the tools/skills.

 

The workshop manual is for an older model.  However, it may give an indication of where the motor is.

 

I am still fuming at spending £600 or whatever it was to remedy the motorised lights issue.  To add insult to injury, the blue main beam light doesn't come on now which I think must be linked to the new units and poor fitting. I no longer use that garage.

 

Best of luck!

 

 

that IS an MOT failure.

On 09/06/2023 at 15:15, UrbanPanzer said:

 

 

that IS an MOT failure.

Sure is.