Hi has anyone experienced an issue with their headlights lenses see attached photos I took my car to Doncaster Audi and they have stated it’s a known issue and the lenses should only be cleaned with a damp cloth polishing is not recommended https://uk.planmyservice.com/workshop/65E96AAC-DDC1-4ABB-AD42-4583202A341F/12057582/13187414N19RAW19122025

If the crazing is on the outer surface of the lens it's likely that a cleaning or polishing fluid is responsible. On the other hand if it's on the inside that is a different matter entirely.

Note that many plastics are susceptible to this sort of damage by ultra violet light e.g. sunlight, but Rotherham is not known for its tropical climate.

Thanks for your reply the issue is on the inside of the lights is this just your opinion or are you a professional 

So the problem dust is dust on the inside, not crazing of the plastic as I first thought? Sorry, I was misled by the mention of polish. As a chemist for much of my life perhaps I look too readily for chemical problems.

It was the Audi tech who stated that the issue is a common problem caused by polishing with a dry cloth no mention of any polish

 

does the video link work that I posted 

I don't open links from untrusted sources, so I have not seen the video.

It was your mention of polish that misled me. Some punctuation would have made the matter clearer.

Punctuation police?

The Audi tech says to clean or polish up with a damp cloth , he also said the damage to the plastic lens has been caused by someone or yourself using an actual polish on the lenses .  

 

You could try a headlight restorer like turtlewax etc to remove the issue . 

 

Looks to me like some kind of petroleum based wax used for bodywork has been used on the plastic lenses ,  similar damage to what vaseline does to rubber. 

Hi the damage must have been caused prior to my ownership as I haven’t polished them. Also he informed me the damage was to the inside of the lenses, how can that happen?

5 minutes ago, Bigladrik said:

Hi the damage must have been caused prior to my ownership as I haven’t polished them. Also he informed me the damage was to the inside of the lenses, how can that happen?

He clearly states polish has been applied to the outside of the headlight and also says the dusting is on the inside .  He needs to make up his mind tbh. It's impossible to polish the inside of the lens. My guess is the cracking is right through the plastic lens. 

Edited December 22, 2025Dec 22 by Audisq524

I don’t like jumping in on threads, but perhaps we can revert back to the beginning Richard:-

If it had been made clear that the ‘damage’ to the lens was on the inside, then anyone giving or accepting an explanation that that damage was due to external sources, was thick in either giving or accepting that as an explanation. Sorry, but I can’t put that any more politely!  ( Apologies if the link clearly explains this, but I too, don’t open links from unknown sources). 

Sorry if this comes over as being a little harsh, but members seeking free advice and help are not expected to question the helper’s bone fides. 

Punctuation? My brother tells me of an Oxford graduate, who went on to do a PhD, and he does not use punctuation- I believe to come over as simply being ‘different’. Consequence is that readers sometimes have difficulty in trying to interpret what is being said. 
We are all working blind on here, since we never see the issue, and depend solely on the member’s description in our attempt to help them. 
 

Are you sure, this surface damage is to no degree on the outside of the lens?

Regards,

Gareth.

Overlapped reply. 

I’m not asking for advice I’m asking is this a common fault based on other members experiences 

5 minutes ago, Bigladrik said:

I’m not asking for advice I’m asking is this a common fault based on other members experiences 

The cars 6 years old , open to elements in that time . Maybe look at same type and years on autotrader to compare .  

👍

There was a question for you to answer at the end of my post Richard. 

Are you sure, this surface damage is to no degree on the outside of the lens?

 

please rephrase I’m thick 

I think there are a number of people on here who could help you, if you were to have explained the situation more clearly in your initial post, so let’s hope they will come along and help you now. 

I remain unclear as to what your objective is in relation to this 6 year old car, if others come along and advise they have had the same issue too - ? 

I would like to know if anyone else has had this issue what did they do (if anything) to remedy this 

 

please rephrase I’m thick 

Just to be clear this is any old 6 year old car it’s only done 23k miles and is mint (apart from the headlights)

*Not

Sorry Richard, but your last post doesn’t make any sense, so I’m closing this thread, since it doesn’t seem to be going anywhere. 
Regards,

Gareth.