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  4. How much does it cost to replace your headlights?
How much does it cost to replace your headlights?

How much does it cost to replace your headlights?

Of all the lights on your car, your headlights are arguably the most important.

Sitting at the front of the grille, they light up the road ahead so that you can see where you’re going - and other road users can see you coming, helping to keep everyone safe.

Their low and high beams are indispensable for driving at night - and during the day when there’s poor visibility.

You can also use them to signal to other drivers; a quick flash of your headlights can indicate you’re giving them the right of way - or warning them about a road hazard.

There are three main types of headlights:

  • Halogen headlights are the most common variety, and have a warm, yellowish light that’s made using a tungsten filament and halogen gas.
  • Xenon headlights, also known as high-intensity discharge (HID) lights, are brighter, whiter, and more energy efficient than halogen lights. The light is made by passing electricity through xenon gas.
  • Light-emitting diode (LED) headlights are also very bright whilst using little energy, with the added benefit of lasting longer than the other two varieties.

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Common signs your headlights need replacing

  • Dim, flickering or uneven lights

    If your headlights are weak, flickering, or one is brighter than the other, then your bulbs could be on the way out - or you could have an electrical issue.

  • A red, yellow, or blue tinge to your headlights

    This could mean the bulbs are incompatible with your car, or they’re nearing the end of their life.

  • The headlights don’t come on every time, or not at all

    This can indicate an electrical problem or burnt-out bulbs.

  • A smell of burning smoke or visible smoke when the headlights are on

    This means the bulb is overheating or broken.

  • Cracks, chips, blackened areas, and condensation

    All these signs indicate your headlights are damaged and need to be replaced.

What causes headlight bulb failure?

  • Driving over bumpy roads

    The vibration can cause the filament to break - or shake the bulb loose so it becomes disconnected.

  • Age

    Ultimately, all bulbs have a limited lifespan. So, the older they are, the more likely it is they’ll stop working.

  • Faulty alternator or damaged wiring

    This will cause a fluctuating power supply that can lead to bulbs burning out.

  • Improper installation

    It’s important that bulbs are properly installed so that the connection is secure. You should wear safety gloves during installation, as touching them with bare hands can transfer grease and oils that can cause them to burn out.

  • Water and condensation

    This can cause components to corrode or electrics to short-circuit.

  • Build-up of road debris and dirt

    This can lead to overheating.

Headlight replacement costs in the UK

Typical headlight replacement costs range from £50 to £1,000. This includes parts and labour.

The total amount you’ll pay depends on the following key factors:

  • The make and model of your car.
  • The type of bulb needed.
  • Whether the bulb, casing, or entire unit needs replacing.
  • Local labour rates.

The timeframe for the job will also influence costs. It usually takes between 15 and 30 minutes to complete a simple bulb replacement. However, if the whole unit needs replacing, a wait of between one and two hours is likely.

If you’re deciding whether to repair or sell your car, it’s worth looking into these costs.

Headlight replacement costs by car make and model

Here are some ballpark headlight replacement costs for some of the most popular car models on UK roads:

  • Kia Sportage: £50 to £323
  • Hyundai i10: £40 to £188
  • Toyota Yaris: £40 to £128
  • Mercedes-Benz C-Class: £70 to £1,220
  • Nissan Qashqai: £50 to £398
  • Audi A3: £53 to £474
  • BMW 3 Series: £70 to 403
  • Vauxhall Corsa: £40 to £769
  • Volkswagen Golf: £50 to £1,268
  • Ford Fiesta: £29 to £147

Cost by bulb type

Halogen bulbs - £5 to £25: Halogen bulbs are the cheapest, as well as the easiest to replace. Generally found on older cars, they’re similar to traditional household bulbs in that they feature a tungsten filament that lights up when electricity goes through it. Halogen gas is stored within these bulbs, and they give out a warm yellow/white light. Halogen bulbs typically last for 500 to 1,000 hours.

Xenon bulbs - £20 to £150: Also known as high-intensity discharge (HID) bulbs, these are more expensive than halogen bulbs, but last a lot longer – from 2,000 to 3,000 hours. They have a bright bluish-white light that’s made by electricity passing between electrodes in a bulb filled with xenon gas. You can only legally use these if your car was originally fitted with them.

LED bulbs – £40 to £150: Most modern bulbs generate intense light using semiconductors called light-emitting diodes (LEDs). These illuminate when electricity passes through them. Whilst on the pricey side, they’re very energy-efficient, and last for much longer than either halogen or xenon bulbs (up to 30,000 hours), making them a cost-effective choice. LED headlight bulbs are also available in a variety of colours.

How to replace a headlight bulb

Want to avoid paying to have your headlight bulb replaced at a garage? It’s entirely possible to do everything at home with a little mechanical know-how.

However, it’s important to note that this job is much simpler for older or more basic cars. Most modern and higher-end cars have parts that need to be removed to access the headlights, which complicates matters. Certain models even feature sealed headlight units that need to be replaced as a whole!

Therefore, unless you have a sound understanding of mechanics, we would suggest leaving the job to a professional.

However, if you’re feeling confident, you can follow our step-by-step guide to DIY headlight bulb replacement below:

  • Check your manual (or an online guide) to find out which bulb you should be using, then buy at least two; it’s advisable to replace both bulbs at the same time. You might also want to buy a spare or two, just in case you break one whilst attempting installation.
  • Next, make sure your car is parked with the brake on, and that the engine and headlights are switched off.
  • Open the bonnet and look for the cover behind the headlight. You might think that a bulb should be replaced from the front, but you actually need to get into the back of it. Take off the cover (it could be screwed in or attached with clips) - and you’ll see the bulb.
  • Disconnect the bulb by detaching any wires connected to it, and then unscrewing or unclipping anything holding it in place. Make a mental note of where and how everything is attached, and make sure you don’t touch anything with your bare hands. To prevent this, you should wear rubber gloves - or use a clean, dry, soft cloth.
  • Insert the new bulb by following the steps for removing an old bulb, but in reverse. Again, make sure you don’t touch anything with your bare hands.
  • Once you’ve installed the bulb, replace and attach the cover. Repeat for the bulb on the other side.
  • Close the bonnet, then start the engine, so you can check that your headlights are working.

Frequently Asked Questions

Damaged or faulty headlights can devalue your car by up to 10%, if its safety, functionality, or legality are affected. Minor cracks and other superficial damage may reduce your car’s value by around 2-5%.

You might be wondering, “Should I get my headlights fixed before I sell my car?” In most cases, it’s worth paying out for the work, as it should make it easier to sell your vehicle – and help you get a better price for it.

Yes, if your headlights are damaged, or aren’t working correctly, your car will fail its MOT. Your headlights must:

  • Have the right colour and intensity of light.
  • Be aligned properly.
  • Be equal on both sides.

Please note: You should not retrofit xenon or LED headlights to your car. This will also cause your car to fail its MOT.

It’s illegal to drive with a faulty or broken headlight at night. If caught doing so, you could be fined up to £60 and receive three penalty points on your licence.

Driving with broken headlights during the day is not illegal, but it is unsafe when visibility is poor. Therefore, you should replace broken headlights as soon as possible, even if you don’t drive at night.

Yes, you can replace just one headlight, but it’s advisable to replace both at the same time, as this will give you consistent light.

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