IFI have an F54 Clubman and the tail lights have bugs in them just inf of the chrome sections behind the transparent plastic. Has anyone experienced a similar issue?

My local Mini dealer is refusing to replace them under warranty and are telling me that the bugs got in from where the bulb gets put in...I find this hard to believe.

Thanks!

 

Have the bulbs been out at all ?

 

No idea. The car isn't even four years old. It's hard for me to believe bugs could have gotten through the bulb inlet.

 

Why didnt they just remove the light assembly, remove the bulbs and bulb carrier ( if any ) and blow some air in there with one of their hoses in shop ?

 

I did have this happen to an R53 tail light many moons ago...I even have one inside the display of the stereo head in my Honda Element....its like they're sealed in amber

 

We ended up with a bunch of dust on the top after a lengthy pseudo-road. But it all washed out with a hose.
Maybe start with a stiff stream of water along the top edge?

 

Hey sprout, I have the same issue. I was at the dealer today for service and had them inspect it.
i told them it makes no sense, if bugs can get it so can moisture. The R53 was a disaster with rust back there. They told me I must have left my lights on for a long time to attract the bugs, and the could have entered from a point in the rear wheel well and travelled up through the wiring. Didn’t make any sense at all. I wasn’t feeling much like arguing seeing as I was sitting outside for 6 hours and they couldn’t hear me much through the mask. They told me new lights are $1100 or something insane but it won’t be covered under warranty. We will see how that goes for the next round of complaints. A few weeks ago I sprayed my car with Meguiars ceramic and it the chrome inside got cloudy. Somethings up for sure and I’d like it fixed before my warranty is.

 

if the lights WORK ... there is no issue from a service standpoint.

The lights are 'dirty' .....

 

I’m sure the dealers have a fair range of claims they can process under warranty. They aren’t always motivated to, especially when the labor associated with the repair is insignificant, like changing the rear light assembly. IMHO, if can bugs get in, that’s a problem. If mini accepts the defect isn’t isolated, they have a costly issue on a bigger scale from something they can dismiss as cosmetic. Not every owner would even notice.