INSTALLATION
Two BMWs that look identical can leave the factory with completely different headlights. Knowing which ones your car has is the one thing you need to get right before you order, and it only takes a couple of minutes.
Put your VIN into a free BMW VIN decoder and look for these codes: 522 xenon, 522 + 524 adaptive xenon, 5A2 LED, 552 adaptive LED, 5AZ Laserlight. No headlight code usually means halogen. Still unsure? Send us your reg or a photo and we'll confirm it for you, free.
Why it matters
Every VMSS headlight is built to plug straight into one specific factory setup. Halogen, xenon and LED cars use different connectors and electronics, so the version you choose at checkout needs to match what your car left the factory with. Get this right and fitting is genuinely plug and play.
Step 1: Check your VIN (the most reliable way)
- Find your 17-character VIN. It's on your V5C logbook, at the bottom corner of the windscreen and on the driver's door frame.
- Open a free BMW VIN decoder such as bimmer.work or mdecoder.com. Most only need the last 7 characters.
- Scroll through the equipment list and look for the lighting codes below.
| Code on your VIN | What your car has |
|---|---|
| No headlight code | Usually halogen (the base headlights) |
| 522 | Xenon |
| 522 + 524 | Adaptive xenon (AFS): the beams turn with the steering |
| 5A2 | LED |
| 552 | Adaptive LED |
| 5AZ | Laserlight |
| 5AC | High Beam Assist. This is a feature, not a headlight type |
Your VIN shows how the car was built. If a previous owner changed the headlights, the VIN won't know, so it's worth a quick look under the bonnet as well.
Step 2: Check the label on the headlight
Open the bonnet and look at the top or back of each headlight. There's a factory sticker with a part number on it. Take a clear photo and send it to us. We can read it and tell you exactly what's fitted today, even if the car has been modified.
Step 3: Look at the lights
- Halogen: you can see bulbs sitting in shiny reflector bowls.
- Xenon: round projector lenses, usually with glowing angel eye rings around them.
- LED: no bulbs at all, just LED strips and light guides that form the daytime light signature.
- Laserlight: blue inlays inside the headlight and "BMW Laser" lettering. You can see these even with the car parked.
Step 4: The adaptive (AFS) test
Adaptive and normal headlights often look the same from outside, but they need different versions. Here's the two-minute test:
- Turn the light switch to AUTO.
- Wait until it's dark enough for the dipped beams to come on, or park somewhere dark like a garage.
- With the engine running, turn the steering wheel left and right.
- Beams move with the wheel: you have adaptive headlights. Beams stay still: you don't.
Found your headlights? Here's where to go next
| Your car | Next step |
|---|---|
| 5 Series F10, F11, F18 | F10 and F11 upgrade guide |
| 3 Series G20, G21, G28 | G20 pre-LCI vs LCI guide |
| 4 Series F32, F33, F36 and M3/M4 F8x | Pin guide, then F32 and F8x headlights |
| 3 Series F30, F31 | F30 and F31 headlights |
| 2 Series F22, F23 and M2 F87 | F22 and F87 headlights |
| Anything else | Fitment Check: we'll tell you what fits |
How to order the right set
- Identify your current headlights using the steps above.
- Open the listing for your car and choose the matching version at checkout.
- Not 100% sure? Use our Fitment Check or message us on live chat. We confirm before you order.
- Pick your shipping: free worldwide, or Express for £9.99.
- Fit them yourself with our install guide, or book a VMSS Verified Installer.
- Photograph the batch label on your new headlights before fitting. You'll need it for any warranty claim.
Buy with confidence
Questions customers ask
My VIN says one thing but my headlights look different. Which is right?
Go by what's physically fitted. A previous owner may have changed the headlights. Send us a photo of the headlight and its label and we'll identify it for you.
Does no code always mean halogen?
Usually. Some decoders leave out standard equipment, so if your car clearly has projectors or LEDs, send us a photo and we'll check.
Can you just check for me?
Yes, and we'd rather you asked than guessed. Send your reg, VIN or a photo through our Fitment Check page or live chat and we'll confirm the right version before you order.
What if I order the wrong version?
Contact us and we'll swap it. A 10% restocking fee covers the return and redelivery. If the mistake is ours, or your order arrives damaged, you pay nothing.
Not sure which version you need?
Send us your reg or VIN, or a photo of your current headlights. We'll tell you exactly which set to order before you spend a penny.
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