BMW X1 Headlights: Specs, Fitment & Common Faults

Bulb type, unit part numbers, and the faults that actually cause that flickering or dim light you've noticed.

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OEM Part Number: confirm via VIN — aftermarket LH Valeo 046728 / RH Valeo 046729

Accuracy note: Covers the BMW X1 (F48 2015-) as listed in the UK aftermarket catalogues. Headlights are sold by side (passenger / nearside = LH, driver's / offside = RH on a UK car) and by lamp type — halogen, xenon (D1S / D3S) and LED or full-LED units are not interchangeable, and DRL, cornering and levelling options change the part number again. The references below are UK aftermarket catalogue listings for this generation, labelled by brand; genuine numbers are shown only where a listing quotes one. Check the lamp type and traffic side (UK right-hand-traffic units, not LHD) against your VIN, and expect xenon / LED and adaptive units to need levelling adjustment or coding after fitting.

Passenger side (LH / nearside) headlight — aftermarket	TYC 20-16582-06-9 (halogen H7/H7 with LED, DRL, electric); Valeo 046728 (H7, PY21W, LED, motor); Valeo 046740 (LED, motor); TYC 20-16198-06-9 (LED, DRL, electric); Alkar 2743889 (LED, DRL, electric motor)
Driver's side (RH / offside) headlight — aftermarket	TYC 20-16581-06-9 (halogen H7/H7 with LED, DRL, electric); Valeo 046729 (H7, PY21W, LED, motor); Abakus 444-11AARMLDEM2 (H7/H7, PY21W, motor, no bulb); Valeo 046741 (LED, motor); TYC 20-16197-06-9 (LED, DRL, electric); Alkar 2744889 (LED, DRL, electric motor)
Bulb types	dipped H7, indicator PY21W; sockets PX26d and BAU15s; LED units sealed
Genuine (OE) numbers quoted	None quoted in catalogue listings — order genuine units against your VIN
Fitment notes	Halogen H7 with LED DRL and full LED are the two fits

A Genuinely Important UK Rule Worth Knowing Before You Buy — BMW X1 Headlights

If your X1 has factory-fitted halogen headlamp housings, converting them to fit LED bulbs is treated as a definite MOT failure under the current inspection manual — this isn't a grey area or a minor advisory, since a housing designed for halogen doesn't distribute an LED bulb's light output correctly, which can genuinely dazzle oncoming drivers. If you want a genuine LED upgrade, the correct route is a complete headlight unit designed for LED from the factory, not a bulb swap into an existing halogen housing.

Before you buy: matrix LED, adaptive, and cornering headlight systems often require electronic coding to the car after a unit swap, even for a genuine like-for-like replacement — a headlight that isn't recognised by the car's electronics can trigger warning lights or fail to auto-level correctly. Check whether your specific trim has one of these systems before assuming a straightforward bulb-in, bulb-out job.

BMW X1 Headlights: Watch: Replacing It

🎬 Watch: BMW X1 F48 xDrive25i DRL Daytime Running Light LED Change

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DRL LED change on F48

BMW X1 Headlights: What It Does

The BMW X1's headlight unit houses the main and dipped beam bulbs (or LED/matrix modules on higher trims), positioned and angled to illuminate the road ahead without excessively dazzling oncoming traffic. Many modern units also integrate the daytime running light and front indicator into the same housing, which affects both the part number and the complexity of any repair.

BMW X1 Headlights: Generations, Derivatives & Headlight Type

Entry-level trims	Halogen main headlight paired with LED daytime running lights — the DRL function is LED even when the main beam isn't
Mid trims	Standard LED — a simple LED projector per headlight with no adaptive function, meaning the beam doesn't respond to speed, road shape, or oncoming traffic
Higher trims/M Sport	Adaptive LED with BMW Selective Beam anti-dazzle high-beam function becomes available, genuinely different from standard LED in that it actively adjusts to road conditions and oncoming traffic
Top-tier option	Laser Light is offered as BMW's top headlight technology on some models in this range, though availability is more limited than on larger BMW models

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BMW X1 Headlights: Common Faults, DIY Difficulty & Aftermarket Advice

These are the same regardless of make or model — see our full Headlights Guide for the four bulb technologies and how they differ, UK law on aim and modifications, common faults to check for, how difficult this job is to DIY, and confirming fitment against your VIN.

More BMW Headlights

The same part, covered across other BMW models.