Number plate light/lens

[jmurray01]

Hi all,

I haven't posted in a while as since getting the brakes and timing belt changed, life in the Passat has been problem free!!

That is until the "bulb failure" lamp came on again, and this time it wasn't the headlamp bulbs since I'd just replaced those with Osram Night Breakers. This time I have tracked it down to one of the number plate lights, more specifically the right (O/S) one. But the bulb itself is fine, it is one of the terminals that has burnt/corroded and no longer gives the bulb a proper connection.

OK I thought, lets just order a new lens as it is only a small plastic part... Well after searching on eBay the closest thing I could find was this: VW PASSAT B6 2005 - 2008 2X NEW REAR NUMBER PLATE LIGHT LAMPS LEFT + RIGHT | eBay

HOWEVER, I don't need two of them as the N/S is still perfectly fine, and maybe I'm being overly parsimonious but I think £13.99 is a bit expensive for two plastic lenses, not including the assembly.

I haven't gone into my local parts store but that is almost a waste of time as they will probably only sell them in pairs as well, or will sell individually but the price would make the £13.99 pair seem cheap.

I presume it is a relatively common fault as the plastic has actually yellowed at one end where the terminal is damaged, and almost broke as I took it out.

Please can someone let me know if the above linked eBay listing is my best/cheapest bet, or if there is somewhere I can get just the one lens that I require.

Thanks!!

[DMitch16]

The item you have linked is 2 full units with bulbs but in white plastic as they are not OE style.

This is OE style for one full light unit

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?m...2F264230304267

Cheaper still

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?m...2F323785856915

They clip in and the lenses are not normally available separately so sold as complete replacement units. £12 to £20 each isn't so bad for genuine parts therefore.

[jmurray01]

Thanks, but even those don't match what are currently on the car. I will attach a picture that maybe shows more, but there doesn't seem to be a unit that can be easily removed, rather the lenses themselves just "slot" into place and are held in by two screws. I presumed only the plastic part is what I needed as that contains the terminals that have corroded on my old one.

I have managed to find an eBay listing with just one lens that exactly matches what is currently fitted (VW PASSAT B5 B6 TOURAN TRANSPORTER T5 MULTIVAN NUMBER PLATE LAMP LIGHT 3B5943021 1002111305684 | eBay), but that does work out more expensive per lens than buying the pack of two.

20190616_103658_resized[4014].jpg

It is also worth mentioning that it is an estate which I think does make a difference as the saloons had a different style of light from what I have managed to piece together.

[DMitch16]

Thanks, but even those don't match what are currently on the car. I will attach a picture that maybe shows more, but there doesn't seem to be a unit that can be easily removed, rather the lenses themselves just "slot" into place and are held in by two screws. I presumed only the plastic part is what I needed as that contains the terminals that have corroded on my old one.

I have managed to find an eBay listing with just one lens that exactly matches what is currently fitted (VW PASSAT B5 B6 TOURAN TRANSPORTER T5 MULTIVAN NUMBER PLATE LAMP LIGHT 3B5943021 1002111305684 | eBay), but that does work out more expensive per lens than buying the pack of two.

20190616_103658_resized[4014].jpg

It is also worth mentioning that it is an estate which I think does make a difference as the saloons had a different style of light from what I have managed to piece together.

Ah estates are slightly different, and have the same unit as the T5. Part number 3B5943021E which was discontinued in 2012 but still available to buy whether genuine or aftermarket.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VOLKSWAGE....c100930.m5375

[jmurray01]

That explains it then! Thanks, I will order one of those.