According to DVSA data analysed by the RAC, lamps, reflectors and indicators continue to be the most frequent reasons for vehicles failing their MOTs, at just over a quarter (25.5%)*. Especially with the safety element of bulbs, it’s clear from this statistic that drivers are not regularly checking, changing and updating the bulbs in their vehicles, giving technicians the chance to upsell during MOT season.
It’s therefore important for technicians to sell products to their customers that they can trust and so, should look for a brand that is renowned for its premium quality products in the industry. With more than 110 years in the automotive sector, renowned lighting specialist, OSRAM, has a bulb solution for every need.
Unless a headlight has blown, for example, drivers don’t generally notice if their bulbs are performing poorly, so rarely have them replaced in time for the MOT. However, OSRAM suggests that when technicians are looking at the bulb section of the MOT, they should consider if the bulb is putting out less light and if it will need replacing soon.
The filament of any headlight bulb deteriorates with use, time and exposure to the elements. At the end of a typical service, headlights produce less light, reducing the drivers night vision. OSRAM tests have shown that a standard halogen bulb loses 30 percent of brightness after 500 hours of use – so it’s important for technicians to be proactive.
Having the MOT’s peak season in months such as September and October, when the nights start to get darker earlier it may mean that they need replacing sooner. Helpfully, with the MOT, drivers are forced into looking at their vehicle to see if there are any problems that need resolving, meaning this is the perfect time for technicians to talk to them about their bulbs.
As every technician knows, bulbs are a safety critical component, but many drivers may not fully appreciate the dangers they may face if their bulbs are not updated regularly and they allow them to burn out. This will leave them without an efficient way to light the road in front of them, and also doesn’t allow other drivers on the road to see them.
It’s also important for technicians and workshops to start billing for the changing and fitment of bulbs if they do not already. It’s a lucrative revenue stream that workshops do not take advantage of because it’s a smaller job and, on the majority of vehicles, doesn’t take a lot of time.
However, as with any job a technician does, there is product, time and skill put into it, and, especially as the technician should be aligning the bulbs after fitment, can take at least 15 minutes, which should be billed to the customer. While many workshop owners will say that it’s not worth the hassle with a customer, it’s a job that has used time and resource that may be costing the business thousands of pounds a year if not charging customers.
Renowned lighting specialist, OSRAM, has a vast range of bulbs to suit every driver, so to make sure they are recommending the right replacement to their customers, it would be wise for workshops and technicians to understand the differences between the various OSRAM offerings.
Xenon range
OSRAM upgrade xenon bulbs generate up to 220% more brightness when compared to the minimum legal standard. Xenon bulbs also use less energy and have a longer life span than halogen bulbs.
Products that are prominent in this portfolio include the XENARC® NIGHT BREAKER® 220 , which is OSRAM’s brightest xenon upgrade bulb. It has a 250 metre long beam and up to 20% whiter light, allowing drivers to see further and, therefore, respond to the conditions on the road earlier.
If a driver is looking for a more white light, OSRAM offers the XENARC® COOL BLUE® Intense (Next Gen), which also offers up to 150% more brightness than the minimum legal standard.
However, if a driver is focused on a reliable bulb that will last a long time, OSRAM’s XENARC® ULTRA LIFE, has a 10 year guarantee, which is up to four times longer than a standard bulb, providing the driver extra reassurance and saving them costs.
Finally OSRAM has the XENARC® ORIGINAL, which has a four year guarantee and is original equipment manufacturer (OEM) quality. These bulbs fit a variety of vehicles, and are of premium quality manufactured in Germany.
Halogen range
Due to their impressive beam range, performance and longevity, OSRAM’s halogen bulb offering has always been incredibly popular amongst drivers, technicians and retailers.
Similar to its xenon counterpart, OSRAM’s NIGHT BREAKER® 220 is its brightest halogen bulb for cars and motorcycles, with up to 220% more light on the road and up to 150 metre long beam. These cutting-edge headlight bulbs have up to 20% whiter light compared to the minimum legal standard, providing more light and improved visibility, which can help drivers react to road conditions more quickly. The NIGHT BREAKER® 220 is available in H4, H7 and H11 ECE types with a new gold cap.
For a more modern and stylish look for halogen applications, OSRAM’s COOL BLUE® INTENSE (Next Gen) is perfect, with extra white light for an LED look and is ideal for use in clear-glass headlights with its modern design with a silver cap.
For drivers that are looking for a reliable headlight and aren’t worried about anything more ‘flashy’, OSRAM’s ULTRA LIFE is the ideal solution, with a four year guarantee and up to a 100,000km (62,000 miles) service life.
Finally, in the halogen range, is the ORIGINAL Line 12V, which is an OEM quality product that is tried and trusted by vehicle manufacturers across Europe and therefore covers a wide array of applications for both headlight and auxiliary applications.
This MOT season OSRAM urges workshops to think seriously about the bulbs they are buying and fitting from the marketplace. What’s the quality of the bulbs being bought? Do they comply with all the ECE regulations? Has the alignment of the bulbs been checked once fitted? Bulbs are a safety critical component that should not be over looked. With OSRAM, no one is left in the dark!
For more information on the range: www.osram.co.uk/am
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