German automotive giant BMW has made a remarkable design breakthrough to prevent unauthorized interventions into vehicles. The special screw system developed by the brand, which is very difficult to disassemble, reignited the “right to repair” debate in the automotive world.
RADICAL DECISION CHANGED THINGS
The new patent documents submitted by BMW to the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and made public on December 11, 2025, revealed the special screw heads specific to the brand. According to the design in the patent, the screws were produced in the form of BMW’s iconic emblem.
Thanks to this special structure, it is aimed that the screws can be removed and installed only with special equipment available in BMW’s authorized service network.
CANNOT BE SOLVED WITH STANDARD TOOLS
In this design, which is completely different from the classical star, flat or allen screw systems, the screw heads consist of four quadrants. Two of the dials have a recessed structure, and two have a flat or protruding structure. This complex form makes it almost impossible for standard hand tools commonly used in the market to grasp the screw.
According to experts, this prevents independent mechanics and vehicle owners from performing even easy interventions.
IN WHICH SECTIONS WILL IT BE USED?
According to the information in the patent documents, the screws in question; It is planned to be used in both critical and frequently intervened areas such as interior floor components, seat contact points, and some modules in the engine compartment. This means that vehicle owners are directed to authorized services even for minor repairs.
“RIGHT TO REPAIR” CONCERNS EMERGED
BMW defends the main purpose of this design as “preventing interventions by unauthorized individuals” and maintaining safety standards. However, independent services and users state that this approach harms property rights and free competition.
On the other hand, in an area where some rival brands such as Mercedes-Benz are trying to increase repairability by switching from adhesive to screw system in order to facilitate processes such as headlight replacement, this step of BMW reveals that opposite approaches are facing each other in the automotive segment.
It is not yet clear when and in which models BMW’s new screw design will be used in mass production.
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