Broken Headlight Cover - Question

[MaxVon]

Somebody backed into me (fairly gently it seems) and the cover of the left headlight broke. No other damage.

After spending the morning phoning around, it seems I HAVE to replace the entire unit at a cost of R6000. Even the 'dodgy' spares guys are telling me this.

Why is this? And does anybody know a guy who can just replace the outer cover?

(The person who backed into me drove off, the car guard obviously didn't take down number plates, and there is no CCTV footage, so I cannot claim from them. My excess is R6000. - For those who are wondering why I just don't claim from insurance.)

 

[pinball wizard]

What car?

 

[Binary_Bark]

What car is it and where are you based?

 

[TheChamp]

That is just how it is unfortunately.

 

[I.am.Sam]

R6000 excess ...damn

 

[TheChamp]

Were the covers ever replaceable even during the good old days?

 

[pinball wizard]

Were the covers ever replaceable even during the good old days?

I remember actual glass headlights. The clear glass part was indeed separate from the reflector and bulb housing.

Now it's all single polycarb units.

 

[TheChamp]

I remember actual glass headlights. The clear glass part was indeed separate from the reflector and bulb housing.

Now it's all single polycarb units.

You are right, I now remember since my Corsa still have glass headlights, but even then when one broke I had to buy the whole thing, I doubt those covers are sold separately.

 

[FiestaST]

Polo (Vivo)?

 

[I.am.Sam]

Polo (Vivo)?

Can buy half the car for R6k

 

[Pitbull]

Buy a unit from a scrapyard... should not be that hard unless you drive a car of which there are not many

 

[WaxLyrical]

Those things have to be airtight to prevent condensation and dirt buildup.

Best bet is to check AliExpress, eBay or scrapyards like metal motor spares.

 

[FiestaST]

Polo (Vivo)?

OK fine. Since OP is vague AF I say C4 Cactus.

 

[The_Ogre]

One hit wonder trolling petrolheads hard AF

 

[TheChamp]

One hit wonder trolling petrolheads hard AF

He'll be back.

 

[pinball wizard]

One hit wonder trolling petrolheads hard AF

Joke's on him. We'll talk cars for no reason at all.

 

[Colin62]

Buy a unit from a scrapyard... should not be that hard unless you drive a car of which there are not many

I’ve always battle to find scrapyards that have stock of headlights. Usually the first thing that gets sold when they strip a car.

 

[TheChamp]

I’ve always battle to find scrapyards that have stock of headlights. Usually the first thing that gets sold when they strip a car.

Or the first thing that gets damaged in an accident.

 

[FiestaST]

Joke's on him. We'll talk cars for no reason at all.

+1

 

[FiestaST]

He'll be back.

I find it unlikely but let's see.