• Guest would you be interested in CUPRA or SEAT valve caps? let us know in the poll

  • Welcome to our new sponsor Lecatona, a brand dedicated to enhancing performance for VAG group sports cars, including SEAT, Audi, Volkswagen and Škoda. Specializing in High Pressure Fuel Pump (HPFP) upgrades.

Cuppa 290 headlamp condensation

Lighters

Active Member
Nov 26, 2016
6
0
Refused delivery today on my vehicle. Is headlamp condensation common or a fault.

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!

postimg.org/gallery/283ynzgds
 

trebor

Active Member
Dec 13, 2014
231
30
Worcester
Common feature on LED front lights across the board.
At times they will have some condensation, due to the fact that the LEDs dont generate the heat that traditional bulbs used to.
It's a feature not a fault.
They will clear, but sometimes will show some condensation.
 

Lighters

Active Member
Nov 26, 2016
6
0
It was a very cold morning. I did call the local seat dealership and they said they were led so would not generate enough heat to clear condensation and that they shouldn't so that because it should be a sealed system?

I've read mixed reviews online like some dealers replacing under warranty and others stating it's normal but surely if some do it and others don't then that makes it unacceptable.

What does the handbook say? When they dropped it off he couldn't find anything about it.

Anyone got a copy of the handbook online?

Thanks.
 
Last edited:

dsj20v

Active Member
Dec 6, 2007
147
3
hampshire
Yep common throughout seat skoda vw as mentioned heat from led only reaching top part of headlight leaving bottom part cold
 

chrisRibiza

Active Member
Sep 27, 2007
1,194
51
Common on alot of new cars, I've even seen Aston Martins with condensation in the headlights.
Already a thread here : http://seatcupra.net/forums/showthread.php?t=434136


Page 110 of the manual states:

In cold or damp weather conditions, the headlights, tail lights and turn signals
may mist up inside temporarily. This is normal and in no way effects
the useful life of the vehicle lighting system.

I'd guarantee the new headlights will do the same thing.
 

Lighters

Active Member
Nov 26, 2016
6
0
Makes me wish I just accepted delivery now, its really weird that some dont exhibit this problem tho and that other LED headlights have been returned and fixed/replaced for other manufacturers etc.

Thanks for the help tho :)
 

Daire92

Cupra 290 DSG
Jan 6, 2016
288
199
Ireland
www.instagram.com
Honestly I think you made a bigger problem out of this than it was. You're now without the car and since this is a known "issue" with these lights, you will get it back with condensation in the lights anyway.
 
Last edited:

andrewpain

Active Member
Jul 5, 2014
1,852
3
Meppershall Beds.
It was a very cold morning. I did call the local seat dealership and they said they were led so would not generate enough heat to clear condensation and that they shouldn't so that because it should be a sealed system?

I've read mixed reviews online like some dealers replacing under warranty and others stating it's normal but surely if some do it and others don't then that makes it unacceptable.

What does the handbook say? When they dropped it off he couldn't find anything about it.

Anyone got a copy of the handbook online?

Thanks.

Mines a 63 reg MY14, but I can mail you a handbook and media manual if you like.
Will need email address, so you could private message me if these are any good?
Been lucky with mine - no condensation....
 

Jonwm

New to the MK2...
Jun 22, 2009
405
0
Tamworth
Can't believe you've refused for that, it's a lease anyway so wouldn't stress myself with some condensation, mines still got the sill protectors on, my last Leon had the sticker marks on the windows every time it steamed up.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

Deano3

Active Member
Sep 28, 2016
86
2
Mine has always had condensation and asked exactly same question a while ago and everyone said they all do it , not end of the world you will soon have car back

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk
 

niggle

Rollin' on 17s, baby!
Jan 28, 2014
459
4
Huddersfield, West Yorkshire
With the benefit of hindsight, probably on overreaction on the the part of the OP, given that:

1. The car will be returned to the lease company before the warranty expires

2. At this time of year most cars will probably exhibit some evidence of condensation in the headlamps and tail lamps as the ambient temperatures drop.

Our Leon had condensation in the LED headlamps from time to time in the 30 months that we owned it. Didn't affect the performance of them in the slightest, the Leon LED headlamps light up the road in spectacular fashion.

We have just swapped the Leon for a BMW 3-er with LED headlights, only had it for a couple of weeks and we have seen some condensation in the headlamps on cold evenings since day 1. Perhaps not what you would expect from a car with a £37K list price but the BMW owner's handbooks clearly states that this is quite normal and does not affect the performance of the headlamps in any way.
 

BoyRacer

SUV time!
Aug 5, 2016
125
23
In fairness to the OP and everyone else who has lights with condensation, there will be some loss of light output due to it. Just because it's 'normal' doesn't mean it's right!
 
Chris Knott Insurance - Competitive quotes for forum members