The ADAC, the German equivalent of the ANWB, warns against high repair costs for the latest generation of LED headlights. According to car manufacturers, these are extremely durable, but according to the ADAC do not last car life and repair is often virtually impossible. Replacement can easily cost several thousand euros.
Especially with older cars the risk of expensive repairs increases. According to the ADAC current LED lamps are designed for a service life of 15 years, while cars in Germany last around 18 years on average. This can cause drivers to incur high costs. LED headlamp systems with matrix technology, for example, quickly cost more than € 3,000. The ADAC states that repair is sometimes ‘virtually impossible’ and they may only be repaired if this is indicated in the type approval of the (head) lamp. Most lamps are simply not intended for repairs and must be completely replaced.
In the future, this could become an important and significant cost item for the majority of car owners. After all, LED lighting is increasingly standard in new cars. The advantage is that they have more light output and improve the driver’s visibility at night. Naturally, this should improve road safety. The ADAC is urging car manufacturers to take action because of the potential costs. Work should be done to extend the life of the LED bulbs or to arrange for them to be easier to repair.