E46 WOF problems - tyres and headlamps - need opinions plus answers :D

[[email protected] 0]

Hey guys,

Took my car in for a WOF yesterday at VTNZ (why'd I choose them...) and my E46 failed on a few things...

They said that the Front Left tyre is worn, and Rear Right has 2mm tread and wearing edges (caution).

Took it into a tyre shop afterwards and they said that my front tyres are fine but my rear ones are down to 3mm. Definitely not a wofable issue (with the new laws, so not sure why they pulled me up on this) but worth getting the Rears replaced.

Both headlamps need to be aligned. I normally get my wofs done at BMW and they were fine 6 months ago... Do you think they just didn't know to use the dial in my car to move them up? because they were facing down when I took my car in.

My right headlamp is out of focus ~ what does this even mean?? Google hasn't helped me at all.

All in all not too happy with the WOF - they indicated the wrong tyre needed replacing, and I do think my headlamps are to do with my alignment dial..

I will be getting two new tyres this weekend ~ putting existing front wheels on the rear, and new ones on the front.

What do you think I should do?

Thanks

[Ahmedsinc 414]

As you've had the inspection done you're legally obliged to rectify all issues on the check before a warrant can be issued, AFAIK. In future I wouldn't take it back there, the company has had a lousy reputation for years now, seems the general public are only just waking up to this fact because the TV tells them to think about it. Headlights should not be able to go outside of the specced range, irrelevant of electric range adjusters.

In future I'd take my car to a testing facility that actually knows what they're doing, as opposed to vtnz and their kind. Good luck!

[gjm 3258]

I had my E46 WoF'd at a BMW specialist. Not a franchised dealer, but someone who understands BMWs.

As far as I can tell, VTNZ have always had a reputation for being particularly tough, but it seems they've also been a little inaccurate. Erring too much on the side of caution, perhaps?

Check the tyres yourself, one at a time. If they are definitely, and sensibly legal and safe (and I don't mean will just scrape through in which case get the changes anyway) perhaps rotate them to put the best tyres on the back. Take the car to a specialist for the re-WoF, present the fail sheet from VTNZ, and ask if they could adjust the headlights (if necessary). Most WoF stations are happy to do this - they know private individuals don't normally have the kit required.

Give it a wash first. I saw a militant MoT station (in the UK) fail a car for 'poor headlight focus' when the reality was the headlight lenses were just dirty.

[yng_750 247]

If the headlights are out of alignment due to you having the dial set to point down then thats your fault for running it on the wrong setting.

Regardless of if its adjustable where it is pointing now is unsafe.

Its your job not theirs to use that stuff.

Be happy its an easy fix.

Poor focus can be dirty or faded lens, dirty reflector cone or bulb out of alignment inside the reflector.

[[email protected] 0]

Yeah, I'd heard that before I went there but was in a rush on the weekend and they were just down the road with drive through...

Plan is to get two new tyres, stick em on the front and rotate my decent ones to the back - no issue with this.

I just checked through my car stuff and I got a new headlamp for that side of the car in May this year, purchased and fitted at Jeff Gray BMW.. Guess I'll be giving them a call on Monday, hopefully they can as an act of good faith review and fix/replace for free.

And Jason, I only dim my headlights when I'm driving down my street so I don't disturb the neighbours.. had no reason to raise them when i went to get my wof as it was midday. Realise it's unsafe to have them that low, but yeah thanks.

Appreciate the feedback.

[Matth5 471]

If the headlights are out of alignment due to you having the dial set to point down then thats your fault for running it on the wrong setting.

Regardless of if its adjustable where it is pointing now is unsafe.

Its your job not theirs to use that stuff.

Be happy its an easy fix.

Poor focus can be dirty or faded lens, dirty reflector cone or bulb out of alignment inside the reflector.

Seems silly to say it's the "wrong" setting. There are valid reasons for lowering them if you car has a dial on the dash to adjust them while driving.

If I'm turning them on for the same of just being visible due to rain or dawn/dusk then I lower them. Only raise them when I need them for visibility - at night time.

I do that to reduce the glare for caused to other people.

I imagine if you explained that to the testing officer they'd use their common sense though?

I suppose this is why it makes sense to get a BMW place to do the WOF, since they'd know about things like this. Although headlight adjustments dials aren't exclusive to BMW.

I've never actually used a BMW specialist for a WOF though, might do so next time as I've often had VTNZ pick up little issues and it would just be easier if the place doing the WOF could take care of fixing the issues too.

Edited October 19, 2014 by Matth5

[BMTHUG 1057]

In my experience and holding a wof authority myself, VTNZ have no idea what they are doing. Half the time they are either failing to notice vital components of a vehicle wearing (brake pads down to less than .8 of a mm) or they are pinging people for stupid sh*t like a headlamp supposedly being misaligned. I for one would never take my vehicle to them. I'd rather inspect and rectify any issues on my e46 myself or get someone who is actually thorough to do the inspection

[aja540i 1906]

I have stopped using VTNZ since they failed me for having aftermarket hid ballasts in my headlights, and tried to tell me the wiring for hids was different because the high voltages would damage the switch etc (their words not mine) you can wait until the 28 days runs out and then take it somewhere else and start again.

[Matth5 471]

If the headlights are down and they note that then you simply adjust them there and then and the WoF guy will cross that note off there and then. No drama.

As for those that use that adjustment to prevent ("reduce"?) glare then you're holding it wrong. At the correct hight there should be no glare so never a need to adjust. If your headlights cause glare at their 'normal' position then that position is wrong.

The in cabin adjustment is there to compensate for carrying loads, that's all.

There will always be some glare when you go over bumps or approach other drivers over crests ect. I don't see the harm in pointing your headlights down to reduce that when you don't need them lighting up the road in front of you.

I know it's not a major thing but hey, I can do it so why not.

[Allanw 1071]

If the inspector is too dim to adjust the dash dial, he should NOT be inspecting cars - he's clearly not clever enough to work out what should be considered a failure or pass on such a wide range of vehicles they are likely to inspect.

Ours were set low once, and my WOF guy just asked "does this have headlight adjustment?" I said yes, dialled it back to 0, and all was fine.

The "focus" can be out, if the bulb isn't seated correctly, or is a really nasty/cheap bulb - the filament ends up in the wrong place, and can upset the cutoff etc.

[Matth5 471]

If the ambient light is sufficient that you don't need your headlights at that time (why are they on?) then the ambient light is also sufficient that your headlights are not going to cause glare to an oncoming driver.

You either need your headlights on and set to the correct height (read: length) or you don't need your headlights on at all.

The only case headlights at their "normal" height seem to create problems for me is those MF's that drive urban trucks with self leveling HID's and sit on your right hand hip and blind you through the wing mirror. Those lights on those vehicles need to be banned.

It's generally recommended to put headlights on when it's raining, foggy or when the sun has just gone down. Both situations where it maybe helps to be a bit more visible, but you don't need the road ahead it up.

I know I don't really need them to be on in these situations but it might be a good thing to do. Maybe it's pointless, but it's harmless

Agree with you on those trucks. Some people have annoyingly bright lights and maybe what I'm doing is just trying harder than I need to in order to not be like them.

[elmarco 56]

Even having the bulb in upside down will change the focal point & corresponding beam pattern.

[hotwire 352]

I have stopped using VTNZ since they failed me for having aftermarket hid ballasts in my headlights, and tried to tell me the wiring for hids was different because the high voltages would damage the switch etc (their words not mine) you can wait until the 28 days runs out and then take it somewhere else and start again.

Well they are correct in failing on aftermarket HID's in standard headlights - they are illegal.

[aja540i 1906]

Well they are correct in failing on aftermarket HID's in standard headlights - they are illegal.

Correct, but mine were factory hid lights with aftermarket ballasts, and they had passed them 2 previous times!!

[dr_kahu 8]

I had the same headlight issue. Mine were halogens though. it needed a new bulb and I needed to readjust the seating on it as id stuck in angel eyes at the time

[hotwire 352]

Correct, but mine were factory hid lights with aftermarket ballasts, and they had passed them 2 previous times!!

Ok, wasn't aware yours were factory HID. Certainly no problem with yours then

Infact, i use aftermarket kit ballasts to replace blown OEM ones on cars at work. Much more economical repair

[[email protected] 0]

Just an update if you wanted to know, thanks for all your comments btw:

Took my car into Jeff Gray BMW on Wednesday morning as they'd agreed to investigate the problem as it was potentially to do with the headlamp I purchased from them..

Turns out it was fitted upside down, so they fixed that and gave the lights a little alignment too, free of charge.. good on em!!

Decided to buy some new tyres for the ones that needed replacing.

Does anyone know of a cheap place in Wellington that fits tyres?? Cheapest I've found is $20 in Petone which might be my best bet.

[Ahmedsinc 414]

Just an update if you wanted to know, thanks for all your comments btw:

Took my car into Jeff Gray BMW on Wednesday morning as they'd agreed to investigate the problem as it was potentially to do with the headlamp I purchased from them..

Turns out it was fitted upside down, so they fixed that and gave the lights a little alignment too, free of charge.. good on em!!

Decided to buy some new tyres for the ones that needed replacing.

Does anyone know of a cheap place in Wellington that fits tyres?? Cheapest I've found is $20 in Petone which might be my best bet.

Ha, hard case

$20 a tyre sounds pretty suspect dude, bearing in mind the quality of your tyres is one of the major factors in how safe you are on the road...............cheaper really isn't better

[KwS 2425]

Interestingly, ive never had a problem getting a wof on any of my cars from VTNZ Porirua. Because of this they are the only VTNZ i will use (too many stories about other ones being crap), but now ive just been getting work to do my WOFs (much more convenient.)

[KwS 2425]

Ha, hard case

$20 a tyre sounds pretty suspect dude, bearing in mind the quality of your tyres is one of the major factors in how safe you are on the road...............cheaper really isn't better

I suspect he means $20 to fit a tyre, not $20 for the tyre?

[qube 3570]

if the $20 includes balancing then it sounds alright

[Matth5 471]

Around $20 is pretty standard for fitting + balancing I've found. Some places might push it closer to $30.

Edited October 24, 2014 by Matth5

[yng_750 247]

A friend recently tried to get his tyres fitted in taupo recently and got.told two tyres fitted was 127 because they would only do it with a.wheel alignment. Very weird. Went down road and 20bux

[[email protected] 0]

Yeah I meant $20 to fit, not $20 a tyre!!

Ended up just replacing all 4 tyres as I saw a steal on trademe, and the two legal ones were under 3mm tread so no biggie.. Current tyres came with the car 3 years ago so they did well to be honest.

Person I bought the tyres off had the original purchase receipt and never got them fitted to his car. Managed to get the garage he bought them off to fit and balance the tyres for free.

Went back to VTNZ on Saturday day and passed with flying colours this time!

And my first 1 year WOF