Evora Headlights / Headlamps

[C8RKH 6,769]

Evora Headlights / Headlamps

I'm trying to get a handle on the extent of the problems with the Evora Headlights / Headlamps with a view to seeing if we can get the Factory / OEM suppliers to provide additional support as there seems to be issues causing early failures including:

Peeling of protective layers
LED bulb failures
Etc.

As these units are sealed, replacement is hugely expensive at around £1000 / Euro 1300 and $1500 per unit. As sealed, we would expect these to have a reasonable life span of say 10 years.

If you own, or have owned, an Evora, and you have had a problem with the headlights / headlamps please could you either update this topic, or PM me with the details including:

MY of Evora and when bought
Brief description of issue
Resolution and cost
Any factory / dealer / warranty support

I'll keep this topic updated with progress and information as we go.

Thanks in advance
Andy.

[Dave Eds 289]

2010 NA with peeling laquer syndrome. No response from Castle Lotus or Hexagon. Silverstone say £280 plus VAT but need car for a week.

[C8RKH 6,769]

Thanks Dave, it's on my list and will keep you posted.

[gregs24 151]

2010 NA with peeling laquer syndrome. No response from Castle Lotus or Hexagon. Silverstone say £280 plus VAT but need car for a week.

That's because they don't do it. They sub the work out so it takes a day to remove them, take them to the repair shop leave them collect them and refit.

TBH the peeling laquer really isn't a big deal and easily fixed - and looking at the Evora's at Silverstone a while back an awful lot have the problem.

Failing LED's is another matter as that is not a simple fix

[B430m 18]

2011 Evora IPS, headlamps replaced under warranty (peeling) December 2014.

Edited September 24, 2015 by B430m

[C8RKH 6,769]

Thanks for this Michael. What was the problem with them?

[j141 29]

2011 Peeling headlights, fixed by previous owner at his own cost I believe

[C8RKH 6,769]

Thanks for that James. Added to the list.

[MHC 6]

2011 S, peeling headlights. Out of warranty so I paid.

[type122 0]

MY11 peeling laquer on both units - 1unit replaced 1 unit re-laqured by Lotus under warranty

- initally the replacement was of the new type without 'lotus' written on the indicator strip inside the unit - had a hell of a wait to source a new 'old' stock, as I would not accept mis-matched lamps.

Edited October 6, 2015 by type122

[series_one 77]

 

- initally the replacement was of the new type without 'lotus' written on the indicator strip inside the unit - had a hell of a wait to source a new 'old' stock, as I would not accept mis-matched lamps.

That's interesting. Did not know this.

[sellman 38]

April 2010 (16000 miles allways garaged) purchased with peeling headlamps privately april 2014 out of warranty... contacted Lotus directly and was informed they couldn't do anything so ended up paying a bodyshop to sort them out. Also had a power ballast fail on mine so replaced that myself (consumable item I suppose).

[Dave Eds 289]

2 of their own Evoras by the club house at Hethel  with peeling lights last Saturday - good advert I'm sure!

[Colin P 733]

Dec 2010, drivers side very small amount hardly noticeable as its on the edge. The rest is armourfended, so waiting to see if it will spread underneath.

[C8RKH 6,769]

Thanks Colin. Will add to the list.

[LazyDonkey 65]

2010 na, both headlamps had peeling lacquer.....Murrays polished them back and replaced with film

[jig 0]

2010 NA, both replaced under warranty around 2012/13 for peeling and both now bad again.

[blueg33 129]

2010 NA.  Headlights replaced under warranty 2012 for peeling.  Both are now fine and the car lives outside and does 20k miles pa

When I wash the car at least every other week I apply a dodo juice hard wax to the headlamps.  Not sure if it makes a difference.

Edited November 13, 2015 by blueg33

[Alfa2Evora 738]

My hope of avoiding posting in this thread has now proven to be in vain. During the course of the past week or so, what started out as a tiny area of 'discolouration' in the black area at the top of the driver's side light unit has turned into obvious lacquer delamination, having grown to involve over 50% of that 'zone' and flaking off like oversized dandruff. So far, the other light looks OK but who knows?

[B430m 18]

Both my headlights were renewed under warranty last year and are now covered with 3M film, so hopefully that will prolong their life.

[C8RKH 6,769]

Thanks for continuing to update this post with your issues/problems, dates and resolutions. I'm still planning on seeing if this can be used to create a report to Lotus to spirit them into action against their supplier. Also, to ensure all owners are treated fairly and not just fobbed off etc.

[blundey 3]

Mine 2010 were relaquered before buying from Bell and Covell in Surrey. Had a rear light cluster leds fault though id thats of any use...yet to fix.

[auRouge 438]

On my old NA at 2.5 years old and only 18k miles from memory.

Peeling Lacquer

NOV 2010 model fixed under warranty by Lotus through B & C. Not replaced as supplier and Lotus were not in agreement at the time and there was a supply issue. Two emails to customer services and they agreed to pay the cost for a local body shop to re lacquer them. Didn't have any problems after this. Took two days to do.

Misting

They always misted up in the winter. I was told they all do that and it's normal as they are "vented" headlights. I've seen AMV8's and Ferrari's with the same issue so just accepted it as a quirky car issue!

LED's

Never had a problem with them.

Good thread Andy, hope you all rightly get some form of support from Lotus and they give their supplier a kick up the backside for this ridiculous situation of shoddy manufacturing not being sorted by a recall.

[Alfa2Evora 738]

My warranty from MMC is only for "sudden mechanical failure" so this isn't covered in any shape of form. Looks like a visit to Craig Moncrieff's place is on the cards after the New Year for a buff and re-lacquer to get rid of the current moth-eaten appearance.

[gregs24 151]

Misting of the lights is actually mentioned in the manual as normal - as is the case with a lot of makers.