Centre brake light malfunction

[Grande]

It seems my first light to go bad is the third brake light strip, so much for LED lifetime being 10s of thousands of hours. And now, instead of a simple light bulb change, I need a whole OEM replacement (I'm not a fan of LED lighting anymore).

It went out suddenly with the check center brake light message. My concern is that I ruined it by power washing the tailgate. I recently switched to brushless car washing and perhaps sprayed it at a wrong angle, or too close, or with too much pressure, or for too long. Although I have to say, if you're going to make a LED light package that can only be accessed by taking off the spoiler, at least make sure it is completely water tight - what were they thinking?

I found this guide:
http://www.sciroccocentral.co.uk/forum/ ... 4&p=121963" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

and also this for MK5 Golf GTI (which apparently is even worse because the spoiler cannot be removed easily, this is just a workaround):
http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=121067.0" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

So my first question is:
1) Does anyone know how much they charge for installing a new light? I hope it's not as big of a problem as with the GTI above.

2) Is it possible that the light is still good and it's just a fuse? But then wouldn't I get a different message seeing that the fuses control several things at the same time - like ABS?
http://www.sciroccocentral.co.uk/forum/ ... =25&t=7403" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

3) Is it possible to order and install the newer light for mid July 2012 and newer models with part number: 1K8 945 087D instead of 1K8 945 087 on MY2010?
http://www.sciroccocentral.co.uk/forum/ ... =2&t=12707" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
I hope it's an improved version.

[Grande]

I had it replaced, there was no way I could do it myself, even if I had proper trim tools I don't think I'd manage.
Anyway, I think the brake light died a natural death, there are no traces of water anywhere, just a little bit of road dust. The plastic around both screw holes has cracks, so it wasn't airtight, but I doubt much moisture got trough them.
I now have the latest D version of the light (1K8 945 087D), they install that on all model versions.

[selleym]

How much did VW charge to change it + cost of the light?

[Grande]

How much did VW charge to change it + cost of the light?

50 GBP for the light and 22 GBP for the labour, but this is Polish pricing