Used BMW 7 Series Headlight

The BMW 7 Series has run through several distinct generations: E38 (1994–2001), E65/E66 (2001–2008), F01/F02 (2009–2015), G11/G12 (2016–2022), and G70 (2022–present). Generation is the single most important factor when sourcing a used headlight, as front-end designs are completely different between them. Always match your chassis code, which you can find on your V5C or by asking the breaker to check against your registration.

Both a 2012 and a 2014 7 Series fall within the F01/F02 generation (2009–2015), but this generation received a facelift in 2012 that updated the front-end styling including the headlights. If your 2014 car is post-facelift and the 2012 donor is pre-facelift, the units may not be interchangeable — confirm this with the breaker against both registrations before buying, as crossing that facelift boundary is the key risk here.

No — the headlights are shared across standard and long-wheelbase versions within the same generation and facelift period, because the front-end structure is identical regardless of wheelbase. You do not need to specify LWB or SWB when asking for a headlight quote. Just confirm your generation and facelift period with the breaker.

Trim level — whether SE, Sport, M Sport, or Individual — does not determine fitment for the headlight unit itself, as the front-end shell is shared across trims within the same generation and facelift. However, higher trims such as M Sport or Individual may have been fitted with adaptive LED or laser lights versus the xenon units on SE or Sport, so the light technology inside the housing can differ. Always confirm the light type (xenon, LED, etc.) on your original unit with the breaker against your registration, as these variants are not directly interchangeable.

No — the E38 (1994–2001) and E65 (2001–2008) are entirely separate generations with completely different front-end designs, and their headlights will not interchange. Always source a headlight from the same generation as your own car. If you are unsure which generation you have, the breaker can confirm it from your registration plate.

Yes, nearside (NS, left/driver's side in UK traffic) and offside (OS, right/passenger's side) headlights are handed and not interchangeable with each other. When requesting a quote from a breaker, always specify NS or OS clearly alongside your generation and facelift period to avoid being sent the wrong unit.