Someone Help!! Headlamp Levelling Device

[Papa Proctor]

I recently purchased a Z4, but it failed its MOT due to relatively minor issues, which I had anticipated. Since the mot was free as I work in a garage, I am not overly concerned.
However, it specifically failed because of a headlamp levelling device. I unfamiliar with this component and wondering if there is a way repair it without purchasing a replacement. Although I am skilled in mechanical work, I tend to avoid electrical repairs; unfortunately, this issue cannot be ignored as it is classified a major defect.
I Have only ten days to arrange something and will need to pay for the next one which id like to avoid. If anyone knows how to revive this device or where to begin diagnosing the problem, I am open to suggestions.
My aim is to get it functioning, even temporarily, before considering a replacement. Thank you.

[Rockhopper]

They are £15.99 from ebay (I'd need more info about your car first to be sure though).

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/316797290170

Its possible the arm is broken or the motor has failed, its on the off side front behind the wheel, just above the lower arm so get the wheel off and have a look.

[enuff_zed]

Do you mean the motor on the headlight, the front level sensor or the rear level sensor?

[Rockhopper]

The MOT man probably wouldn't tell you that, its just a generic "self levelling device not working" fail item. The most likely issue in my experience is the arm being broken on the front motor.

[TriggerFish]

Is the fault for both headlights, or just one?

Another question which might narrow down your problem...

When you turn on the ignition, both headlights should move up/down and then back to where they started. If only one moves, it could be the motor failed, or that the motor has popped it's ball and socket joint loose.

You've got this inside the headlight - maybe it's come off.

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PXL_20250617_181321949.jpg (196.2 KiB) Viewed 318 times

Does it have xenons? If not, then you won't have the level sensors on the axles, and your adjustment will be done from a scroll wheel on the light switch. If it's the manual adjustment, I'd expect a fault with the headlight itself or if it's both sides, the light switch (which is also the light control module on these)

[enuff_zed]

This quick fix is starting to get complicated

[Rockhopper]

A badly aligned headlight is a different failure item to a self levelling device not working.

[SebGwizdek]

As per others it’s hard to say without more information however I had a similar MOT issue, found a thread somewhere pointing to pulling the back cover off the headlight and then unscrewing the cap off the leveling module and then just moving it, the ball seems to find a natural resting place and get stuck.

[Deepseaskateboard]

Post some pics of the car.
It’s difficult to advise without seeing model / spec

It’s very likely the sensor arm on one or both axels. They are plastic and break over time, or over a normal sized pothole.

I replaced mine this year for about the £15 price quoted above.

You can see the broken arms if you look in the wheel wells with a torch.

It’s passenger side front and driver side rear I believe. (Could be remembering wrong)

[Papa Proctor]

Hey so thanks for all the advice here's a picture of the vehicle is 2006 2 litre also to mention it says offside doesn't specify whether it's rear or front

[enuff_zed]

If it doesn’t have xenon lights it won’t have the levelling system so can only be a motor in the headlight. On the light switch unit do you have two adjustment wheels or just one for the instrument lighting?