How effin much for a fridge/freezer bulb holder?

Hi all. Whilst working for a regular client today I decided to check to see why her Neff fridge/freezer bulb regularly need tapping to get the bulb to light up when you open the fridge door.

The model is a K8524X8GB/01.

I removed the fitting (which includes the temperature setting buttons) and discovered that the bulb holder has yellowed and started to disintegrate. The part is as follows (as a full component).

https://www.espares.co.uk/product/es1770180/fridge-freezer-control-unit-assembly

I was shocked to discover that although the whole fridge/freezer retails at £550, the replacement part is £135.

The bulb is the original 25w Bell bulb. I believe the fridge/freezer is a couple of years old. Do they have a track record of the bulb holder breaking down due to overheating? And is it possible to get a new bulb holder without replacing the whole unit? Having looked at the mini PCB, I can see where the bulb holder pins enter the PCB, but I can't tell if they are soldered on the reverse side.

I am inclined to recommend that the customer complain to Neff and see if they will send the requisite replacement. Before recommending that she does so I'd like to know if anyone is aware of a manufacturing fault, leading to the fitting failing.

I suspect the door was accidentally left slightly open, resulting in the bulb being lit for an extended period and overheating.

JohnD said:

I suspect the door was accidentally left slightly open, resulting in the bulb being lit for an extended period and overheating.

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Well that's not that uncommon so can't see how that should overheat the bulb, if it were me I'd be all over the Neff facebook page for a goodwill gesture or discounted price at least or ****ter not that I do ****ter.

fit for purpose off merchantable quality etc etc ???

Is it under 6 years old.?

foxhole said:

Is it under 6 years old.?

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She moved into the newly renovated flat 5 years ago, so I believe it is under 6 years old. My understanding is that the court will factor in wear and tear but I don't see how a bulb holder becoming brittle can be considered as wear and tear.