12/26/2025
BMW has filed a patent for a logo-shaped screw head designed to prevent car owners from fixing their own vehicles, pushing repairs toward authorized dealers.
Instead of Torx or hex fasteners, the screw uses the BMW roundel shape, with recessed and flush sections that standard tools cannot grip.
According to the patent, the screws are intended for structural and semi-structural areas such as seat mountings and interior-to-body connections.
BMW states the goal is to prevent loosening or tightening by “unauthorised persons,” meaning anyone without BMW-specific tools or access to BMW parts.
Critics say the move fits a broader industry trend that limits DIY repairs and fuels right-to-repair concerns.