Failed NCT on broken headlight mount!

JustJoe7240

As title above,My B6 Audi A4 has failed on a broken headlight mount, Question is can I fabricate a mount out of a metal strap and secure it to the headlight with screws or will I need to replace the headlight? I have no doubt the strap will be just as secure as the original mount but don’t know will it pass the retest! Thanks in Advance

galvo_clare

Exact same thing happened me a few years back. Also a B6 A4.
The car failed on alignment of the lights and I left it ‘til the day before retest to get the lights aligned. When I opened the bonnet I realized why they were wonky - the top mount was broken.
I hadn’t enough time to get a new lamp so I Araldited the mount and it flew through the test.
I’ve no idea if it’s a long term solution as I replaced the lamp a few days later.

JustJoe7240 wrote: »

As title above,My B6 Audi A4 has failed on a broken headlight mount, Question is can I fabricate a mount out of a metal strap and secure it to the headlight with screws or will I need to replace the headlight? I have no doubt the strap will be just as secure as the original mount but don’t know will it pass the retest! Thanks in Advance

smuggler.ie

Was failure stating "headlight mount" or misalignment?

I don't know if NCT care if its fixed with 4 inch nails, as long it does not effect alignment.


Again, i might be wrong and it depend on "weather" in your NCT center, check forecast.

galvo_clare

Well my fail sheet said misalignment. Don’t know if they twigged or not that it was caused by the broken bracket. I was a bit annoyed that they didn’t point it out. Would have had time to replace it properly if they did.

smuggler.ie wrote: »

Was failure stating "headlight mount" or misalignment?

I don't know if NCT care if its fixed with 4 inch nails, as long it does not effect alignment.


Again, i might be wrong and it depend on "weather" in your NCT center, check forecast.

smuggler.ie

galvo_clare wrote: »

Well my fail sheet said misalignment. Don’t know if they twigged or not that it was caused by the broken bracket. I was a bit annoyed that they didn’t point it out. Would have had time to replace it properly if they did.

I don't think NCT mechanics legally obligated to tell you actual cause of failure. In fact, failure might be caused by multiple factors and they would/should not risk to point to one in case they wrong.
NCT mechanics still are human, very so often they suggest you where problem lies and its helpfull, however, its up to you to investigate and rectify.

galvo_clare

smuggler.ie wrote: »

I don't think NCT mechanics legally obligated to tell you actual cause of failure. In fact, failure might be caused by multiple factors and they would/should not risk to point to one in case they wrong.
NCT mechanics still are human, very so often they suggest you where problem lies and its helpfull, however, its up to you to investigate and rectify.

Fair point I suppose. If they had noticed though, they could have given me a friendly nod.

JustJoe7240

Thanks for the replies so far folks, Actual reason for failure was a broken mount.

greasepalm

We have put brackets in with screws to hold light firm and not long screws to hinder internal adjustment,then when secured a retest of both lamps for alignment before sending in for test.Once its rigid and not moving it should be ok.

Sometimes they might not have had their hands in at back of headlamp as some cars you cannot access the rear and if lamp was out of position it is misaligned.

joujoujou

There are dedicated headlight repair kits (kind of brackets actually) available from dealers and the likes of ebay, amazon, etc. Cheap, simple and reliable.

The Bishop Basher

I've just repaired a broken headlight mount using a few lengths of coat hanger, a sheet of sandpaper a tube of gorilla epoxy and a can of mat black spray paint. You'd barely notice the repair and If it breaks again it won't be anywhere near that repair as it's now a lot stronger then the surrounding plastic.

Cee-Jay-Cee

I had the same problem years ago with my wifes car. I fixed the mount with JB Weld which was the same grey colour as the mount itself and it passed the retest.