My new 2021 Dethleffs has previous model headlights

Lucky

Lucky

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Limousin France & Yorkshire UK
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Sunlight Cliff 600XV
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Since 2016
I've had my factory fresh Fiat based motorhome for a few weeks and only today I noticed something odd. It doesn't have the LED daytime running lights in the headlight, as has been standard for a year or two. I'm pretty sure the base vehicle is genuinely new, it comes with hill descent and traction control which I think were introduced this year, but I might be wrong.

My dealer is closed for August (we live in France) so I haven't questioned it yet.

My guess is that due to COVID the LED running light / headlights weren't available and Fiat substituted them with old stock headlights.

I will ask for replacements as LED running lights are a safety feature and they were explicitly promoted in the brochure but expect I'll get fobbed off with some small print that excuses changes in specification.

Mildly hacked off but not enough to let it bug me long term...
 
Don’t get fobbed off!

Is it a 2021,or is it actually older? Unlikely maybe but needs checking methinks.
 
Podney said:
Don’t get fobbed off!

Is it a 2021,or is it actually older? Unlikely maybe but needs checking methinks.
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I just edited my initial post to cover that, I think it's a 2021 base vehicle because it comes with hill descent and traction control which I think are new for this year.
 
I thought it was the law that new vehicles now have to be fitted with led running lights…….but I know nothing.
 
Probably needed chips to power the LEDs and being fairly auxillary were the first thing to be sidelined.

Annoying I'd push for replacements as soon as available.

Cheers James
 
Swifter said:
Made in 2021 or registered in 2021?
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It's a 2021 special edition, not available in previous years.

That said, I'm unsure how to ascertain the exact year of manufacture of the Fiat cab.

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Can you post a picture of what you have and what you think you should have?

Traction control and HDC are not specific to this years model but Dethleffs normally have them as an extra on base vehicles I believe.
 
You should be able to find out when it was built from the VIN number which is on your V5 or at the bottom of the windsreen.
 
Mikeco said:
You should be able to find out when it was built from the VIN number which is on your V5 or at the bottom of the windsreen.
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Which bit of the vin number shows it?
 
Podney said:
Don’t get fobbed off!

Is it a 2021,or is it actually older? Unlikely maybe but needs checking methinks.
Click to expand...
Surely it can't be that old. Our 2019 van has led daytime lights.

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Our new 2022 Model Adria is being supplied with halogen lights and running lights as the chips for the LED fittings are in global shortage. So likely it is the same with yours.

I suppose the only other option would have been for them to delay building new vans until the chips are back in supply, but that could have been a long wait.
 
Posted this info before but had a 13 plate hobby on a Ford chassis when checking the chassis on the Ford register turned out to be 2008 manufacture and left Ford factory then were had it been till conversion lost confidence in the motor so P/x mentioned to the sales guy just for my piece of mind he shrugged his shoulders has they do but although no problems with the MH still glad to see the back of it
 
You can usually tell the build year by the stamp on the tyres or the glass in the windows, there's usually a date in the corners.
 
Not all Ducato /Boxer /Citroen cabs have LED day running lights some only have standard W 21 watt filament bulbs in the same style of headlight unit
Neighbour has a 2021 McLouis and it doesn’t have LED drl’s

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Neil S said:
Not all Ducato /Boxer /Citroen cabs have LED day running lights some only have standard W 21 watt filament bulbs in the same style of headlight unit
Neighbour has a 2021 McLouis and it doesn’t have LED drl’s
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Interesting, although mine is advertised as being fitted with them so I will ask.

Can't say I'm terribly optimistic of a positive outcome. I'll update when I know.
 
I might be missing the point here but if your worried other people can't see you just drive with headlights on, personally I think there a bloody menace
 
Grummyb said:
I might be missing the point here but if your worried other people can't see you just drive with headlights on, personally I think there a bloody menace
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I'm not terribly worried about my safety, I ride a motorcycle after all, but LED DRLs are much more conspicuous than headlights.
 
The manufacturer could have stock piled the base unit/chassis and only built the motorhome part onto the base/chassis in 2021.
Just out of interest, what date is in the tyres?
I hope you get the answers you’re looking for. Good luck
 

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