Took my A4 2024 in to Audi York today, first service and 2 warranty items.

Condensation in both rear light clusters and both head lamps.

Both were refused under warranty.

Headlamps are supposed to allow air flow so in order to clear it Audi instruction is to go for a 10-30 drive with headlamps on at 80kph. !! Replacing the units will not stop the problem. 🤷‍♂️

Rear lamps were inspected and I was informed that there are cracks in both units. These cracks are invisible to the human eye but as far I I and other menders of Audi York staff can see !! Audi state that they will occur if the wrong dilution of rear washer fluid used, ( no rear washer on my car) or too aggressive cleaning of the rear lights or using polish on the rear lights all will result in cracking and therefore water ingress.

Has anyone else come across such total and utter BS and been fobbed off.

Full complaint going forward to Audi. I do have picture but seriously it's impossible to make anything out.

Don’t know the particular history of the car, but any condensation should dissipate. On headlights, which are likely LED, then there’s no heat compared to xenon or halogen bulbs and projector lenses. Has the engine bay ever been washed?

On the rear lights, then moisture shouldn’t be there. Not aware of the wrong washer solution. Sounds like a fob off.

For warranty claims, the main dealer is simply acting as the franchise agent to administer. Ultimately any claims against Audi are paid for by them. Stand your ground and escalate if need be.

In the meantime, considering better weather should be coming, you can use a couple of bags of silica if you can get into the light surround to try and draw out any moisture.

Thanks. Engineer bay never been cleaned I look after it don't do a lot of miles and hand clean myself. Headlights are as you say LED but the fix Audi suggest is expensive 30 min fuel and time expensive

Complaint will follow, even the service manager at JCT 600 York Audi agreed the excuses Audi TPI came up with were ridiculous.

I expected to find a number of complaints about this issue on this site but couldn't find any 🤷‍♂️

Thanks for your comments.

45 minutes ago, Lindz said:

Took my A4 2024 in to Audi York today, first service and 2 warranty items.

Condensation in both rear light clusters and both head lamps.

Both were refused under warranty.

Has anyone else come across such total and utter BS and been fobbed off.

I remember reading similar nonsense on one of these forums a couple of years ago, but don't recall the outcome. It may pay you to search the subject, but it may take a while as it is a common complaint.

Im preparing my complaint to Audi UK but curious to know how common a complaint this is. Have you or anyone any further info from others affected.

2 hours ago, Lindz said:

Have you or anyone any further info from others affected.

You would have to search the forums to find that information.

Thanks for responding.

Yes I've tried that but found virtually nothing. !?🤷‍♂️

The lights shouldn’t have condensation, especially on 2024 build year. The only real way to check them is to remove. Has car had a bump or repair that you know of? I would follow up with Audi UK to see what the say.

There was condensation on Audi R8 rear light clusters I found and replacement ran into thousands. If condensation, still there, take pictures as evidence. You can remove condensation with vacuum and hairdryer and similar, however core issue will still remain. Inspecting the rear lights I would be looking for any for any hairline cracks. These lights will be sealed, so something isn’t right.

Hi Guys

Apologies for late reply, busy researching and writing complaint to Audi UK.

Bought the car new from JCT 600 Sheffield, it's still like new, never bumped, or any accident damage. It's 18 months into a 36 month warranty. Both rear quarter light clusters have condensation inside. Dealer has rejected warranty claim as Audi UK won't authorise new units. I've attached the report from the dealer, its a joke. Basically if you clean your car and look after it you void your warranty. You will see that they accept that they have not been damaged from external forces but "due to the influence of aggressive substances". This has resulted in cracking the the units, hair line/invisible cracks as i can't see them and nether could the reception staff. As a result water is entering the units. Its absolute nonsense, the light units are supposed to last the life of the car, i don't use a power wash, i only wash the car by hand, i use quality automotive materials. Surely anything strong enough to damage the light units would damage the paintwork. These units are clearly faulty and should be covered under the warranty. The dealership have highlighted these lights as needing immediate attention, in big bold red lettering. The report states that condensation in light fittings does not affect the functionality of the units. So which is it ? They want to charge me £680.10 each side !!!! can you believe that ?

i understand from various searches that the A4 has suffered a large number of issues with water getting into the vehicle amongst other issues but these light units seems to be an isolated instance unless anyone can point me in the direction of something to he contrary

Audi A4 Headlamps.pdf Audi A4 Rear Lights.pdf

My suspicion, unsupported by any facts, is that the lights on newer Audis are made from a grade of plastic that is degraded by exposure to sunlight. UV degradation of some plastics is a well known phenomenon that can be reduced by incorporating a UV stabiliser into the plastic prior to, or during, the moulding stage. It increases the cost of manufacture of course, and we know cost cutting at Audi in recent years has been widespread.

I don't disagree clearly they are sub standard and not fit for purpose but surely they should last longer than 18 months especially considering the lack of sunlight we get here in Yorkshire ;-) our second car is an A3 we have had for years, not a sign of light degradation of condensation in any lights front or rear. Washed with the same materials and as often as the A4. Also the Lamps in the boot lid are not affected !!!

48 minutes ago, Lindz said:

surely they should last longer than 18 months

18 months? 18 years would be a more realistic expectation. My A3 was 16 years old when I sold it, and its lights were as uncrazed, unfaded and weatherproof as the day they were made, proving that Audi did know how to make them properly at one time. That the company has chosen not to any more is a mark of its declining quality standards.