Changing light bulbs

[DrJohn20]

Can anyone help me here. I have an MG4 ev long range 2023 model and my rear licence plate light has gone out. I can’t find any instructions on how to change or what kind of bulb I need. Any suggestions would be helpful.

 

[ReintjeWA]

It notes lights not listed here are LED and cannot be replaced individually. Sounds like a trip to the dealership.

I popped out to have a quick look, it seems like it is a solid little unit. You may be able to pop it out with a flathead screwdriver (or a plastic trim removal tool would probably be better) but you might not be able to replace the “bulb” if it even has one. You might need to replace the unit itself.

 

[Tuareg]

I would have thought that will be replaced under warranty at the dealership.

 

[ReintjeWA]

I agree with Tuareg. An average LED light should last at least 25.000 hours (low estimate) which equates to almost three years of continuous illumination. It would be impossible for you to have the LED illuminated that long even if you started the day it rolled out of the factory and had it on non stop.

 

[tsedge]

I would have thought that will be replaced under warranty at the dealership.

That depends on the warranty exclusions, there's a long list and I can’t recall how long bulbs are covered.

 

[DixieTGS]

That depends on the warranty exclusions, there's a long list and I can’t recall how long bulbs are covered.

I hope it is covered by the warranty. According to the removal & refit guide document on @siteguru's website the proper way to remove it is to remove the spoiler or lighting bar on the boot lid (SE has the spoiler). For the spoiler at least I know this involves taking off the boot lid trim.

At a guess I would think an MG tech would take 15 minutes to remove and refit the lamp. I suspect it would take me the best part of an hour and I've removed the spoiler before. If you have to go down this route, take a look at @DevonMG's video guide to fitting a rear camera part 2.

Looking at the above doc it shows the lamp assembly from the inside of the spoiler and mentions removing a clip. It's not easy to tell if removing the lamp from the outside is possible at all and if so how difficult it might be.

 

[tsedge]

I hope it is covered by the warranty. According to the removal & refit guide document on @siteguru's website the proper way to remove it is to remove the spoiler or lighting bar on the boot lid (SE has the spoiler). For the spoiler at least I know this involves taking off the boot lid trim.

At a guess I would think an MG tech would take 15 minutes to remove and refit the lamp. I suspect it would take me the best part of an hour and I've removed the spoiler before. If you have to go down this route, take a look at @DevonMG's video guide to fitting a rear camera part 2.

Looking at the above doc it shows the lamp assembly from the inside of the spoiler and mentions removing a clip. It's not easy to tell if removing the lamp from the outside is possible at all and if so how difficult it might be.

I have checked, bulbs are covered for 12 months / 15,000 miles. It just says "bulbs" so I presume this applies to all of them (this is for the UK, not sure about other territories).

 

[Alb]

An LED is not a "Bulb".

 

[DavecUK]

Just sometimes (too often), the manufacturers are too clever for their own good.....An easily replaceable LED lamp unit here would have been a sensible decision, cost a customer less than £5 and a few minutes time. Instead, if it's not under warranty, this could be costing £50 or more plus the inconvenience and wait time of of booking it in and going to the dealership.

I'm also guessing there is not two of these little lights (I should check my SE)?

 

[PVperson]

I would have thought that will be replaced under warranty at the dealership.

I think the dealer would expect people to change their own light bulbs! Take it to Halfords if you're not practically inclined. I was changing whole headlight assys on my MG5, even that's not too complicated!

I agree with Tuareg. An average LED light should last at least 25.000 hours (low estimate) which equates to almost three years of continuous illumination. It would be impossible for you to have the LED illuminated that long even if you started the day it rolled out of the factory and had it on non stop.

Chinese LED bulbs never last as long as they claim! and they are usually cheap to buy on ebay/Aliexpress now.

 

[tsedge]

An LED is not a "Bulb".

While I agree technically, there's no mention of LEDs in the warranty T&Cs.

It seems quite clear that this covers anything that is a "light".

You might dispute this, but I suspect MG would consider it a "bulb" and subject to fair wear and tear which the warranty mentions.

 

[Tuareg]

I think the dealer would expect people to change their own light bulbs! Take it to Halfords if you're not practically inclined. I was changing whole headlight assys on my MG5, even that's not too complicated!

Removing/replacing the light unit might well invalidate warranty. Also, it's not my car but another member's who posted the comment.

 

[ReintjeWA]

Chinese LED bulbs never last as long as they claim! and they are usually cheap to buy on ebay/Aliexpress now.

You think there are many LEDs not made in China?

I'm also guessing there is not two of these little lights (I should check my SE)?

There are two on the Trophy, roughly either side of the MG logo in terms of placement. My plates are in a plastic holder/case and the lights hardly illuminate them tbh.