Urgent help - condensation in headlamp.

Lighters

Lighters

Lighters

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Joined
11 Jun 2006
Posts
1,569
Just about to accept delivery but theres condensation in both headlamps.

Not sure if its accetpable due to being cold but ive never seen it before.

its also got pen marks/indent on back of vehicle where someone written.

Condensation is like this.

https://postimg.org/gallery/283ynzgds/ (Updated with actual pics)
 
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It's not acceptable.

I water has managed to ingress somehow which will likely point to seals. It shouldn't matter if it's cold or not the headlight shouldn't steam up.
 
I wouldn't be happy but being pragmatic its probably just a loose seal and easier to fix yourself and enjoy the car rather than faffing about getting audi to sort it,
 
Lighters said:
its an led headlamp pack so not expected to be with it, im refusing but hes livid i wont accept it.
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Let him - as soon as you take that car off of him, he'll become even more unhelpful than he is now and you'll never get it fixed.

Many headlights are factory sealed - which means you can't just pop a new seal in there, you have to buy a new headlight which will be hundreds of pounds (normally around £500?).

Is it from a main dealer you're buying from?

EDIT: Just seen you're buying this as a brand new vehicle from a SEAT dealership. Seems like you've got some great customer service there if he's livid you won't accept the car because of a defect you've point out.

Of course, it could be a case that the car was assembled in a warm, moist atmosphere and now when it's cold the condensation forms. It may be a case of taking off the back cover of the headlight, letting the cold, dry air get to it for a couple of hours (today's weather is perfect for that) and that'll fix it. However, this is the salesmans job to address any concerns you have by suggesting these sorts of things.
 
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Will post a detiled cover shortly, I didnt accept it and they were useless. Im foaming! glad i stuck to my gut.

edit

its a lease froum centralvehicle leasing, arranged by dm keith for seat leon cupra 290 dsg.

honestly they are useless
 
Lighters said:
Will post a detiled cover shortly, I didnt accept it and they were useless. Im foaming! glad i stuck to my gut.
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I don't understand why it's so difficult for salesmen not to be morons?

Had I been him, I would have apologised, told you that I'd leave the headlight back cover off to let it dry out and get cool/dry air in there overnight, that I'd call you tomorrow when the steam had gone. I would note it down on the documentation so that if the condensation did reappear every time it rained/got washed, then you could bring it back for a warranty repair.

Result - Happy customer, happy salesman.
 
Ok heres the update:

TLDR:
LED Headlamps got condensation and was told they will fix themselves.
Confirmed it wouldnt but wanted me to take delivery, argument about if i would be covered or not.
Took vehicle back as I refused delivery and now waiting for further instruction.
DM Keith who delivered the vehicle was more worried about missing his train or how long I was taking inspecting the vehicle.
I was just the vehicle fixed and ready to use asap.

I got the guy to check the vehicle and it didnt say anyting.

As he brought the car everything was fine until I looked at the rear mirror and you could see where they had previously written the number 2016 or batch or whatever in huge letters. He tried cleaning this but it just made it worse as it almost looked burned/frosted on. I gave him some glass cleaner and he managed to get it clean after 20 minutes of scrubbing. Not exaggerating.

There was also still plastic/covers left on the sil of the windows from factory, surely they should have taken this off correctly before being given to the customer?

Like you said I dont understand why they can be morons and make it so difficult. It made me feel like if I was being pedantic or doing something wrong. He said look over the car and then when I pointed the headlamps out he wasnt happy!

Both headlamps had significant condensation and he said that was normal, I did a quick google and had mixed reviews. He said it would go away once lights are on but I said it shouldnt do that period.

Meanwhile hes getting very ansy and impatienty saying how hes got a train to catch at 2 and that to accept it and if it doesnt fix itself then I can take it to dealer and get it fixed.
I said well I want a guarantee this will be adhered and not just some verbal arrangement, he was even refusing to record the condensation on his sheet!

I said no way am I accepting like that so what were my options. He said I will need to contact my lease company and sort it with them. He just said to me I have a train to catch at 2...bearing in mind, he was already getting impatient with me as I was looking over the vehicle (So unprofessional)

I call my lease company and mention whats happened, hes straight on my side and calls the seat dealer to see if its "normal" they confirm as its an LED headlamp they shouldnt have any condensation and that they wont get warm enough to clear it. I asked for him to either guarantee me it would be fixed if I accept the vehicle or would prefer to decline the vehicle, have them fix it and then return it once I am satisfied with it therefore I have no liability.

He immediately called DM Keith, who delivered the vehicle and explained the issue and what Newcastle Seat dealers said. DM Keith were having none of it and said why was the customer being difficult and making up problems, my leasing company kicked off saying the customers paid for a new vehicle and its not as you would expect from the manufacturer as the seat dealer in newcastle explained that shouldn't happen.

They argued back and forward about what would happen as DM keith stated that if I hand the vehicle back to be fixed by them then I wont get the vehicle and it has to be driven back to york from newcastle. I suggested take it to newcastle repair it their and deliver to me once sorted to reduce the time delay. They seemed to agree this on the phone.

Meanwhile I explain this to the guy who delivered the car and he just kept saying how hes now missed his train etc and was wanting to drive the car away there and then...

I said we will get a call or he can call DM Keith and confirm to take vehicle to newcastle. Well now they change their tune and say its going to York so they can fix inhouse and that they are covered under their warranty as may not be at newcastle seat dealers and dont have control.

I said thats not what was agreed on phone but whatever. To keep it shorter I told them to take the car and deliver it back to me asap once the headlights are sorted.

Rant over!

I really just want the car, there was already a significant delay it delivery due to factory/other things and now its gone on even longer!
 
To be fair, the first few days mine had condensation in the headlamp units (also LED). A few weeks later and they've not fogged up since, hot or cold, wet or dry.
 
That was the thing I was hoping it would clear and it was absolutely freezing! think it was -4 but just the full way they acted didnt give me any confidence. Like you said, note it down take it away and say it will be rectified, job done straight away and everyone is happy. (Just hope I get the vehicle back)

camera doesnt capture it very well but here.

https://postimg.org/gallery/283ynzgds/

taking a look at audi ones make me think maybe its just common and should have just put up with it?

http://forum.rs246.com/viewtopic.php?f=53&t=101622

The newcastle seat dealer did say there shouldnt be any condensation as they are sealed.
 
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Mine wasn't as fogged up as that, but not far off.

Like you say, had they actually noted down the problem on the handover sheet then you'd have some recourse had it not cleared up.
 
They said they dont clean it but is it normal to expect bit of plastic wrapper to still be left around the windows and the "pen marks" on the back etc?

That me being OCD or normal and just expect the customer to sort it? (I was just worried it was faded into the glass ha)
 
kindai said:
You made the right call.

Well done for not being pushed over.
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Definitely,

If there's one thing I've learned in this world it's that before you take delivery of something, traders are WAY more helpful than afterwards. In this case, the trader was completely unhelpful before you'd taken delivery so can you imagine how unhelpful he would have been after you'd accepted it?!

The thing is, he may well be right and the mist could cure itself - but you weren't arguing over that. He seemed to be confident enough to tell you that it'd clear up itself and to bring it back if it didn't, but not confident enough to write it on the piece of paper where you would have had some kind of recourse. And his whole unprofessional attitude to it all would have given me more cause for concern and reinforced my view that if it did reoccur - you'd have a battle on your hands with them to get it fixed.

I'd have done exactly what you did. I wouldn't expect to have to give the delivery guy some window cleaner and him spending 20 minutes cleaning off pen whilst on my drive, or have the factory plastic coverings still present. These are the sorts of things that should be taken care of pre-delivery. However, if it was just that and he was a nice guy, not in any rush, then it wouldn't have been an issue, but combined with him being an A-Hole and the whole headlight thing, i'd have been sending him off too.
 
paradigm said:
To be fair, the first few days mine had condensation in the headlamp units (also LED). A few weeks later and they've not fogged up since, hot or cold, wet or dry.
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I had the same with my Audi but it went and never returned. It does appears some lights are ventilated and given the right conditions they do fog a little. I've since seen a number of cars with the same so it appears to be the case, although excessive fogging or water droplets are a different matter.

Certainly worth noting, but not always a defect.
 
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