German automotive giant BMW is making a radical design move that will make it more difficult for vehicle owners and independent mechanics to tamper with vehicles. New patent filings, made public by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) on December 11, 2025, reveal special screw heads designed in the shape of the brand’s iconic emblem.

BMW Designs Special Screws

Completely departing from classic star, flat, or Allen screw structures, this design makes it possible to remove and install screws only with special equipment available within BMW’s own authorized service network.

The screw heads, which are in the same shape as the brand’s “propeller” logo, exhibit a complex structure where two of the four quadrants are recessed and two are flat or protruding. This directly hinders repair processes because standard hand tools commonly found on the market cannot grip the screw.

BMW’s initiative reignites the “right to repair” debate in the automotive world. The statements in the patent documents clearly confirm that the main purpose of this design is to prevent interventions by “unauthorized persons.”

These screws, intended for use in critical and visible areas such as interior components, seat attachment points, and the engine compartment, are forcing vehicle owners to visit official service centers even for simple repairs.

While the company defends this move on the grounds of maintaining technical standards and safety, independent service centers and users view it as an interference with property rights and competitive market conditions.

At a time when competitors like Mercedes-Benz are trying to improve repairability by switching from adhesive to screw systems to facilitate headlight replacements, BMW’s stance points to a clash of opposing strategies in the automotive industry.