BMW Patents New Fastener That Can Only Be Removed At Authorized Repair Shops
Car enthusiasts and independent mechanics have long struggled with the increasing complexity of modern vehicles. It often seems that manufacturers are intentionally designing cars to be impossible to fix at home. A recent patent filing by the German automaker BMW has confirmed these suspicions for many in the automotive world. The company has designed a new type of screw head that is shaped exactly like their famous logo. This design effectively prevents anyone without a specific proprietary tool from removing it.
The details of this patent were recently highlighted by Marnus Moolman from ‘Autoblog’. The fastener features a head shaped like the BMW roundel which is split into four distinct quadrants. Two of these sections are recessed to accept a driver while the other two remain flush. This unique geometry means that standard tools like flatheads or Torx drivers simply cannot engage with the screw. The design is finished with the company logo embossed around the edge to leave no doubt about its origin.
According to reports by Thanos Pappas at ‘Carscoops’ the patent explicitly states the goal is to prevent loosening by unauthorized persons. This technology is intended for use in structural and semi-structural applications such as seat mountings. These are high-torque areas where safety is paramount and proper reassembly is critical. However the move also ensures that simple repairs cannot be performed by a local mechanic or a car owner in their driveway.
This development has drawn immediate comparisons to the restrictive practices seen in the consumer electronics industry. Critics argue that BMW is following the path of companies like ‘Apple’ by using hardware to lock users into their ecosystem. The use of proprietary fasteners forces customers to return to the dealership for service where labor rates are significantly higher. It creates a barrier to entry for independent repair shops that may not be able to afford the specialized bit sets.
The contrast with other competitors in the luxury market is stark. While BMW is engineering exclusivity into their bolts other brands are moving toward better repairability. Reports indicate that Mercedes-Benz is currently redesigning components like headlights to use screws instead of glue to help mechanics. BMW appears to be taking the opposite approach by turning a ten cent part into a complex security device.
It is important to remember that automakers often file patents for ideas that never reach the production line. This concept might simply be an exercise in design protection rather than an immediate plan for the assembly floor. However the existence of the document shows a clear interest in controlling who works on their vehicles. If this becomes a standard reality the days of fixing your car in the backyard might truly be over.
Do you think manufacturers should be allowed to use proprietary screws to stop owners from fixing their own cars, so tell us your thoughts in the comments.
