My car has been with a vehicle repair company for a month after a minor collision requiring the replacement of the front bumper and grill. Happy with the repair work and customer service.

On return I noticed there was a small amount of condensation in the driver’s side head lamp. 

The vehicle repair company said that this is sometimes happens when a car is not used for sometime and it will clear over time and with use.

I thought these were sealed units. Is the vehicle repairers advice sound?

Grateful for advice and views of forum members.

 

 

Completely normal, especially with temps at this time of year. It will soon disperse once the lights are on and the headlight heats up. 

@Ulsinus Further to @Dean above, the headlights are semi-sealed, not fully sealed. The advice is sound, if the lights are halogen units. If they're plasma discharge or LED, they never get that hot, and condensation is an ongoing thing.

Dear both,

Thank you for both for your advice.

Sounds like I’ve nothing to fear. 

Curious though that this is first time it’s happened in five years of ownership.

Once again thank you for your help

2 hours ago, Ulsinus said:

Dear both,

Thank you for both for your advice.

Sounds like I’ve nothing to fear. 

Curious though that this is first time it’s happened in five years of ownership.

Once again thank you for your help

 

I started to notice it on my own last year, and asked about it. Also asked a master tech at Skoda who says it’s quite common. After searching around the forums it does appear to be very common.

 

I’m just dreading the day I have to cut open the LED unit at the back to change bulbs! 

 

19 hours ago, Dean said:

I’m just dreading the day I have to cut open the LED unit at the back to change bulbs! 

 

I take it you’re joking?

2 hours ago, Ulsinus said:

 

 

I take it you’re joking?

No, but I must make clear that this is on a MK3 Octavia (sorry).

Quick update regarding the missing inside the front driver side headlight. Misting has now all gone with the advent of a couple of warm days that we have enjoyed in St Albans recently. Thank you all for your input. It has been most useful and reassuring.

Was the headlight replaced as part of the recent repair?

Given the level of impact and the close proximity of the damage to the foglight (the headlight and foglight are actually one piece), I’m amazed none of the securing lugs and tabs didn’t break off. They’re notoriously weak.