A BOLTON private hire driver has hit out at car giants Toyota after he was told he would have to spend nearly £90 on new sealed switch units - when only the tiny bulbs inside had blown.

Mohammed Wazir, owns an F-registered Toyota Carina, claims the switches for the fog light and heated rear window were working perfectly, but would not illuminate.

He said he expected spare bulbs to cost just a few pence. But when he approached a Toyota dealer he was told he could not buy just the bulbs and would have to fork out £39.83 and £35.88 plus VAT for complete new switches.

Many other car makers now use sealed units for switches and other components.

Dealers RRG offered him a 10pc discount and offered to fit the switches for free, but he declined the offer.

"It is ridiculous. It is only a little bulb a few millimetres across and I could fit it myself," said Mr Wazir, aged 30, of River View Walk, Bolton.

Mr Wazir says he now hopes to find replacement switches in a scrap yard.

Mr Peter Smyth, general manager of RRG Bolton, told the BEN that the manufacturers provide the switch as a single unit with the bulb already soldered inside so it is not possible to just sell the bulb.

"It is not usual for the bulb to blow," he said.

He added that he appreciates Mr Wazir's concerns and will be raising the matter with Toyota.

Mr Smyth is also setting up "customer clinics" for clients to meet directly with Toyota.

"If Mr Wazir would like to voice his concerns there he would be most welcome," said Mr Smyth.

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