Luxury German headlights are expensive new — a single LED or Matrix headlight for a modern BMW or Mercedes can cost $1,500–$4,000 from the dealer. That is exactly why repair shops and parts traders buy them used from Guangzhou, where a dismantled unit is typically a fraction of the price.
But a used headlight is only a bargain if it fits the exact vehicle and is in the condition you were promised. Both problems are solved the same way: by the OEM part number and the VIN. This guide shows you how to verify both, step by step.
Step 1 — Find the OEM Part Number on the Headlight
Every headlight housing carries the manufacturer's part number, moulded or printed on the back or side of the unit. It is usually a 9–11 digit code:
- BMW — 11 digits, often starting with 63 (lighting group), e.g.
63 11 7 300 001. Format: 63 11 7 XXX XXX. - Mercedes-Benz — a letter followed by 9 digits, e.g.
A 213 820 01 00(A = passenger car, 213 = E-Class W213 chassis). - Audi — 9 characters, e.g.
8V0 941 043(8V = A3 chassis, 941 = lighting). - Porsche — 9 characters, e.g.
958 941 043(958 = Cayenne chassis).
Step 2 — Decode the VIN to Get the Exact Configuration
The part number alone is not always enough, because the same model can be built with different headlight options. The VIN resolves this:
- BMW — enter the last 7 digits of the VIN into RealOEM.com or BMW's ETK catalog to pull up the exact headlight part number for that specific car.
- Mercedes-Benz — use a VIN decoder (or the EPC catalog) to read the headlight option code — e.g. 631 = static LED headlamps, 640 = ILS LED, 642 = LED high performance.
- Audi — the PR codes on the vehicle data sticker list the exact lighting option (e.g. PR 8BP = Xenon Plus, PR 8G4 = Matrix LED).
- Porsche — option codes (I-xxx) on the build sheet identify Bi-Xenon vs LED matrix headlamps.
Step 3 — Match the Chassis Code and Facelift
German brands refresh models mid-cycle (facelift), and headlights often change. Always confirm the chassis code and the facelift year:
| Brand | Model | Chassis Code | Years | Headlight Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BMW | 3 Series | E90 (pre) / F30 / G20 | 2005–2019 | Halogen, Xenon and LED variants across generations |
| BMW | 5 Series | E60 / F10 / G30 | 2003–2023 | F10 LCI changed the Xenon and LED units |
| Mercedes | C-Class | W204 / W205 / W206 | 2007–present | W205 pre-facelift vs facelift differ |
| Mercedes | E-Class | W212 / W213 | 2009–2023 | Halogen / LED / ILS options |
| Audi | A4 | B8 / B9 | 2008–2024 | Xenon and Matrix LED, B9 facelift changed units |
| Audi | A6 | C7 / C8 | 2011–present | LED and Matrix LED options |
| Porsche | Cayenne | 958 / 9Y0 | 2010–present | Bi-Xenon vs LED, left/right drive matters |
| Porsche | 911 | 991 / 992 | 2011–present | PDLS and Matrix LED variants |
Step 4 — Check the Headlight Condition (Not Just the Photo)
A clear photo can hide expensive problems. Ask for these checks before paying:
- Housing cracks and water ingress — a hairline crack lets moisture in and kills the electronics.
- Broken mounting tabs — the plastic tabs that bolt the unit to the body are the most common damage; a repaired or missing tab means a loose, rattling fit.
- Ballast / LED driver module — on Xenon and LED units, the module is the expensive part. Confirm it is included and not damaged.
- Wiring harness and connectors — cut or corroded connectors are a hidden cost.
- Internal adjusters — if the beam adjuster is stripped, the light will not aim correctly.
- Left-hand vs right-hand drive — the beam pattern is asymmetric. A UK or Ireland vehicle needs a different unit than a mainland Europe or US car.
How We Verify for You
Send us the OEM number or the VIN (and a photo of the old headlight if you have one). We search the Guangzhou dismantler market, confirm the part number on the actual unit, and send you a photo/video condition report with an A/B/C grade before you commit. No "should fit" guessing.