Headlamp Bulb replacement & repair made easy

Vehicles generally have two or four headlamp (or headlight) units at the front of the car. The light units are either illuminated by a single double element bulb or a bulb for dipped and a bulb for high beam. They are high intensity bulbs that provide light in front of the vehicle for the driver.

• Mechanic will inspect the headlamp system, socket and corresponding wires.
• If necessary, the mechanic will replace the faulty light bulb.
• Mechanic will advise if any other parts need to be replaced.
• Mechanic will test the light(s) again to ensure the lights function properly.

Unless you are a qualified mechanic with the required skills, training and equipment to do the job, we strongly recommend a headlamp bulb replacement is only carried out by a professional mechanic. ClickMechanic can help get you a vetted and local mechanic to carry out the work. Just enter your postcode and your car's registration number at the top of this page and select the work needed to get an instant fixed price up front.

• The most obvious indication is a lack of visibility in the dark.
• You only see the reflection of one light where there would normally be two.
• You are warned by other road users, friends or even the police!
• You are advised when a service is carried out.
• The vehicle fails its MOT on a faulty light.

A headlamp bulb replacement usually takes under 1 hour, but can take more time. Ultimately, the time that the job will take will depend on a number of factors, like your vehicle's make and model, year, as well as other factors. Select your car at the top of this page for information on job time and cost for your vehicle through ClickMechanic.

Quite simply as soon as you are aware it isn’t working. It is a legal requirement and a very important safety feature.

Some newer cars often make use of LED lighting which are practically maintenance-free. Bulbs on the other hand are prone to deterioration over time and can fail. That said, when the lights do not work properly it can be the case that there are other issues with the headlamp unit. The units usually have a separate fuse each which can fail too, it is therefore advisable to check the fuses first before replacing a bulb. Other bad electrical connections can be caused by damaged wires or lamp sockets.

No, UK law states that you cannot drive a vehicle unless all lamps are in good working order and are clean. For that reason if you know that your headlamp bulb is broken then do not drive the vehicle and make sure to replace the bulb as soon as possible. Book a professional mechanic if you need assistance with a bulb replacement.

Furthermore, if pulled over, police can issue a fine and you will receive penalty points on your licence.

Yes, the MOT tester will check that the headlamps are intact and emitting enough light as requried in UK law. They will also assess lamps for damage or repairs and check for security, colour, light output and durability. If a headlamp is not securely attached or not producing enough light, it can lead to a major defect being recorded and the vehicle will fail the MOT test.

The most common reason for a headlight bulb to break is that the bulb has been used for too long and has reached the end of its lifespan. Other reasons include physical damage to the bulb, such as from a rock or other road debris, or from a faulty electrical connection.

Typically, you can expect a headlight bulb (Tungsten-Halogen) to last 500-1000 hours. However, depending on the type of bulb used this can differ significantly. For example, special Xenon bulbs can last 10,000 hours and LED bulbs can last as much as 30,000 hours.

Driving without a functioning headlight is not only dangerous for you, but also for other drivers on the road. You can get pulled over by the police and receive a hefty fine as UK driving laws state that you should have functioning headlights when visibility is reduced or at night time.

Yes, a faulty or broken headlamp bulb can result in an MOT failure as inspection of the headlamps are an important part of the MOT checklist. It is a safety critical component and a common type of MOT defect so you should ensure all lights are working as they should prior to an MOT test.