VW dealer to charge $868 to replace a single headlight bulb

[FoxPro]

Have a Passat 07 B6 with Xenon headlights. Went to a garage to get a rego check and was told to book in with VW to replace a blown headlight bulb... Did so and was advised by VW that the "repair" is $360 for the bulb plus $500+ for labour. A grand total of $868 (at least, if no wiring has to be replaced as the CSR remarked).
The exact same headlight had been replaced 5(!) times (documented) during the warranty period. What is wrong here?

[R36 DSG]

Geez that's pricey. You can purchase genuine bulbs from places like ECS Tuning for around $150 and then get a good workshop to replace it. I believe the bumper bar needs to be removed.

[Umai Naa!!]

From memory, the headlight needs to come out, hence the bumper off.

Once it's all back together, it'll need to be aligned. Overwise it'll fail the rego inspection (if they even bother to check the headlight aim at all).

They've probably quoted you the worst case scenario.

[sn809]

Ask the dealer about this service bulletin and weather your car's harness clip had been replaced. Granted its for the US, but you never know it may be why your car's bulb keeps failing.

http://nateronline.com/Technical_Bulletins/2007.05.10_headlight_afs_autolevel_inoperative.pdf