Team Bumper gathered in Antalya, Turkey for our first Hackathon. 

Split into three groups, members from the sales, growth, product, and development teams competed to create a new product. Tasked with one objective - take Bumper’s product offering to the next level - the teams had just two days to take their idea from conception to a valid, usable product. 

Judged by co-founders, James Jackson and Jack Allman, and members of the executive team, the groups’ products were scored in five key areas. 

Working flat-out, the developers had to work against the clock to make their team’s idea a reality. Developer Talut Tasgiran said, “The Hackathon was as fun as it was tiring! 

“The prototyped ideas will be incredibly valuable for Bumper. It was fantastic to meet with team members I hadn’t met in person before and see how hard everyone worked to achieve something so big in such a small amount of time.” 

The products created by our teams will undergo further development and rigorous testing before implementation into the Bumper system. 

Thank you to the three teams who took part in the event. We look forward to sharing our new features with our users in the future. 

Hackathon 2022: 3 teams compete to create new product 

Adding to Bumper’s trophy cabinet and wrapping up 2022 is the prestigious award for Autocar Drivers of Change for the Retail Category, received by our very own CCO, Jack Allman, who attended the event. Jack, along with CEO James Jackson, co-founded and launched Bumper – our innovative platform to ease the stress of unexpected bills faced by car drivers, enabling them to split repair bills into monthly instalments. 

 November at the Grosvenor Hotel in London. In partnership with automotive executive search specialists Ennis & Co, the Autocar Drivers of Change Awards are sponsored by SMMT (Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders) McLaren Automotive, TrustFord, Toyota GB PLC, Volkswagen Group UK and Peugeot. 

Held annually, the awards showcase the very best of the automotive industry’s talent and celebrate winners in 3 distinct categories – Retail, Digital and new for 2022, Diversity and Inclusion. 

Upon receiving this award, Jack said “A huge thanks to Autocar along with Ennis & Co and the sponsors for inviting me to come to this exciting and prestigious event in London. 

Thank you also for this award. It means a lot to us and the hardworking team at Bumper. This award recognises the innovation and the effort behind the Bumper platform that we are incredibly proud of. The platform is not only a good way to help the driver afford their bills, but also helps the dealer as well. By enabling the customer to spread the cost, the dealer can ensure the customer is able to approve all the necessary identified repairs.”

Bumper wins Autocar Award for Drivers of Change for Retail

The team at Bumper are delighted to have secured further funding worth £26.1 million ($30 million) during the Series A extension round which was led by Bumper’s partners, Revo Capital with participation from Autotech Ventures, InMotion Ventures (the investment arm of Jaguar Land Rover) and ITOCHU. 

As part of this extension round, Bumper also agreed to a new debt facility with Secure Trust Commercial Finance worth £20 million ($23 million) with some additional investment coming in the form of equity through various partners. 

The extension round ends just over one year after Bumper’s Series A round raised £10.5 million ($12 million) in June 2021, bringing the total investment to £36.6 million ($42 million).

James Jackson, CEO and co-founder of Bumper has commented on the recent funding:

“Bumper’s rapid growth trajectory has been incredibly exciting, and the new round of investment from our amazing partners means that we can continue this growth trajectory and pursue our lofty goals to expand further across Europe. As the cost-of-living crisis tightens, it’s never been more important to offer affordable and convenient payment options giving driver peace of mind when getting their vehicles repaired.” 

John Gribbon, Regional Managing Director of Yorkshire and the North East at Secure Trust Bank has said: “We first began working with Bumper’s management team nearly three years ago and since then the business has shifted up a gear, developing its technical capability and growing its network of dealerships thereby demonstrating the strength of its business model. Our close relationship with the team and our growing understanding of the business have allowed us to work quickly and flexibly, keeping pace with Bumper’s growing working capital needs. This latest investment round puts the business in pole position for further success.” 

Cenk Bayrakdar, Managing Director and Founding Partner at Revo Capital commented: “Bumper's impressive growth and history of achieving success through its comprehensive fintech solution for car repairs has well-positioned Bumper to accelerate its international growth. James and his team continue to prove Bumper's strength and effectiveness in this space, and we are excited to join them on the next leg of their journey and support Bumper’s R&D initiatives in Türkiye.” 

Alexei Andreev, Managing Director at Autotech Ventures, commented: “We are impressed by the clever finance tools and modern software used by Bumper, and how this technology is becoming essential in today’s economy. Autotech continues to support the team on its journey to becoming an industry-leading BNPL product.”

Finally, Mike Smeed, Managing Director at InMotion Ventures, also commented: “Our team continues to be impressed by Bumper’s remarkable growth in the UK, and more recently in Ireland, Spain and Germany. We are delighted to announce our additional investment into the business, and look forward to supporting the team as they expand across Europe”.

The funds will be used to continue Bumper’s expansion plans into Germany, Ireland, Spain and the Netherlands. 

Bumper secures a further £26m of funding in Series A extension round

A headlight bulb replacement costs around £50 when professionally fitted, but they only cost £3 to buy in store. 

Few things are more vital to safe driving than headlights, especially in winter. Even before dark, they significantly improve your car's visibility, reducing accidents with other vehicles and pedestrians. 

This guide covers everything you need to know about UK headlight bulb replacement costs, including when to change them, average prices, and other common questions.

How much does a replacement headlight cost?

Headlight bulbs can cost as little as £3 from local car parts shops. However, you can expect fees of £15 to £100 for a professional replacement.

Independent garages often give better advice than chains and can help you fit them on the spot. But you can also buy from big brands, like Halfords and Wilco.

Fitting headlights yourself saves money and helps you understand your car. It’s a skill worth learning in case you ever need to do it in an emergency. However, if you’re unsure, you can get an expert to fit them for you. And we’ll explain where you can do this below. 

How much does it cost to buy and fit a replacement headlight bulb? 

The average cost of a new headlight bulb replacement can range from around £15 to £100, depending on your car, part costs, and whether it’s a complex fit. 

It’s worth noting that chain stores and garages charge different replacement fees. Some garages like ATS, Kwik Fit, or Wilco may charge more for the bulbs alone, but fitting is often free while you wait.

Headlight bulb replacement costs are lower than other surprise car problems. If you’re hit with a big bill, you can use

 to split the cost into interest-free repayments.

How much do Halfords charge to change a headlight bulb?

Halfords charges around £8 to £15 for fitting a headlight bulb, often offering free fitting when you buy bulbs from their store.

Prices vary by location and bulb type, but their service is quick and convenient for most drivers who don’t want to tackle the change alone.

Headlight bulb replacement cost by car make and model

Beyond garage vs DIY replacements, headlight bulb replacement costs can vary widely depending on your car’s make and model.

While most common UK vehicles only require a modest outlay, premium models or those with more complex lighting systems can be significantly more expensive.

Here’s a snapshot of typical UK price ranges for popular cars. These prices are only estimates.

Labour costs of headlight bulb replacements

Labour time for replacing a headlight bulb depends on the car and how accessible the unit is. 

Most jobs take 15 to 30 minutes per bulb, though tricky designs can take longer. Typical garage rates range from £50 to £100 an hour, similar to other minor repair work.

Lastly, the type of headlight you require can affect the final fee. Which brings us to the different types of headlights.

Here’s a quick overview of common headlight bulb types, how long they last, and estimated cost ranges. Read more about halogen vs HID bulbs at the end of this article. 

Car headlight bulbs come in different types because modern vehicles vary a lot. Some headlights use a single filament bulb, while others use bulbs with two filaments for different light functions.

Single filament bulbs are used in cars with two pairs of headlight fittings and reflectors; one for the main beam, and one for the dipped beam.

Headlight bulbs are labelled using the H notation. The following bulb types are most commonly used: H1, H3, H4, H7, H11, HB3, and HB4. 

 None of the bulbs are interchangeable, so it's essential to find out what one your car uses before buying.

How to find which headlight bulb you need

The user manual is the best place to check. It lists all bulbs needed, including for headlights, brake lights, and indicators.

Want to check now? You can find bulb information online. Google your car manufacturer’s website or check forums to see what drivers of the same vehicle say. 

You can also contact a local garage for in-person advice. This way, you’re not guessing based on internet answers.

Headlights typically last over 500 hours.

Over time, they wear out like any other part. When one goes, replace it quickly to stay safe and visible on the road.

They use less power than HID or halogen bulbs but shine brighter with better control. They also run cooler and last much longer.

Is it worth upgrading your headlight bulbs?

Upgrading to LED headlights improves visibility with brighter, whiter light and lasts much longer than halogen bulbs, up to 30,000 hours. They use less power and run cooler, making them more efficient.

While upfront costs are higher, fewer replacements and better safety make upgrading a smart investment for many drivers.

Yes and no. It ultimately depends on your vehicle.

Older cars make it easier to swap bulbs yourself. However, newer models often need bumpers removed, requiring more time, tools, and space, meaning a garage visit might be necessary.

In summary, cars today are more complex, and many simple tasks like bulb changes aren’t as straightforward anymore.

Changing a headlight varies from car to car; it's always best to check your owner's manual for a guide on how to do this before attempting. 

Here is a brief guide on how to change a car headlight bulb: 

: Avoid touching the bulb glass because skin oils can cause it to fail early, even after washing your hands.

The above procedure sounds simple, but some cars obscure the back of the headlight with other components in the engine bay.

In some cases, the entire headlight has to be removed in order to get to the bulb. If this is true for your car, you should work with a professional or contact a garage for assistance.

Here are the key signs that your headlight bulb may be faulty and in need of replacement.

Headlights come in many types, from traditional filament bulbs to LED. You usually can’t choose when upgrading since it’s built into the design, but it helps to know when replacing your own car’s bulbs.

Halogen is the most common type of bulb. They use a tungsten filament similar to old-fashioned home light bulbs, but are much smaller in size.

Often producing light with yellow tones, it’s easy to spot which cars on the road use these types of lights. The name halogen comes from the gas used to fill the glass chambers, to prevent the filament from reacting with oxygen in the air.

These bulbs have a typical life expectancy of 2,000 - 3,000 hours. The lowest of all types of bulbs available. They also offer the lowest light output but are considerably cheaper to produce and maintain.

While the technology has been around since the 1990s, it was only really beginning to become a common sight by the mid-2000s. Often offered as an optional extra from the factory, HID headlights provide a much brighter experience than halogen. 

HID bulbs work using an electrical arc sustained by metal salts inside the bulb and initiated with the help of xenon gas.

Emitting a bright white light, they give a more modern look from both inside and outside of the car. The life expectancy of HID systems is 10,000 hours or more. 

What's the difference between HID and halogen bulbs? 

Here’s a quick guide to the main differences between HID and halogen bulbs, so you can see which might suit your car and driving needs best.

How Much Does a Headlight Bulb Replacement Cost?

Austausch der Scheinwerferlampen: Was kostet das? 

We are pleased to announce we’ve been chosen as Aftersales Product Provider of the Year at the 2022 Motor Trader Awards.

Having previously won New Finance Provider at their 2020 awards, the 

 team attended the award this month at the prestigious Grosvenor House Hotel, on London’s Park Lane.

The evening saw lots of key industry players take home awards – including some of our partner groups including Vertu Motors with Franchised Dealer Website of the Year and Arnold Clark with EV Retailer of the Year.

Bumper CCO and Co-Founder, Jack Allman, pictured above, said, “What a fantastic night and a great opportunity to meet with our existing partners in such a great setting.

“This award is particularly exciting at a time when Bumper is striving to improve its offering, continuously working with stakeholders to evolve the product to better meet the needs of our user base.

“Moreover, it is a testament to the hard work and talent of the entire team, who are key in optimising our product to ensure it is fully embedded into our partner’s existing digital platforms so that 

 fits seamlessly into their current processes.”

Congratulations to all the winners at the Motor Trader Awards.

Bumper win Aftersales Product Provider of the Year

As part of our mission to become a carbon neutral business, we headed to the Peak District to plant maple, lime, aspen, birch and oak trees. 

The Peak District National Park Foundation,

 twelve members of the team took part in planting the trees. After six long hours in the November rain and wind, the team had successfully planted 55 trees. 

The process was simple. First, two wooden support poles were hammered into the ground. In the middle, a hole was dug, and a small tree inserted. The earth had to be closed and tightly packed around the roots to ensure oxygen was not present as this could reduce the chance of the tree’s success. To protect the tree from animals, a small plastic sheaf was wrapped around it, with a cane used for support and metal mesh secured on the outside.

Despite the cold weather, the team enjoyed the day. Hannah Fisher, Bumper Consumer Marketing Manager, said, “What's better than being out in the open air, socialising and getting a bit of exercise while planting some wonderful trees?

“I am very grateful for the opportunities we are given at Bumper to go and spend time volunteering alongside colleagues. We all need to contribute to looking after our environment and it's important that employers recognise this and allow their team members time to do their bit too. 

"I look forward to seeing how those trees flourish!”

Ash Dieback disease is caused by an airborne fungus that spreads from tree to tree. Killing them from the top down, the infection weakens their structure making them likely to uproot. This can be unsafe for residents and visitors. 

Climate change has only made the problem worse. Spring 2020, one of the warmest recorded, has left the Ash trees more prone to catching the disease and recent evidence suggests that in 10 to 15 years Ash Dieback disease will result in the death of 90% of Ash trees in the UK. 

The aim of the Peak District National Park Foundation is to prevent the spread of the disease by removing infected trees to prevent the spread and restore the woodland areas by planting other native tree species such as Oak and Birch. 

The Peak District National Park Foundation is a registered charity created to conserve the national park for future generations; preparing the area for a future climate and preserving and restoring natural habitats. 

If you would like to help the foundation in their fight against 

 disease or their other important appeals you can find out more information or make a donation on their 

We head to the Peak District to create the Bumper Forest

We’re pleased to announce our Dealership of the Month for October 2022 is CarMoney. Bumper Business Development Consultant, Ricardo Fishbourne visited their site earlier this month. Pictured above are Michael and Jon, who received the award on behalf of the team. 

A car finance provider who pride themselves on transparency and simplicity, CarMoney allows customers to split the cost of their deposit into interest-free monthly instalments, using Bumper's PayLater. 

Their commitment to making things clear and simple is reflected in their Trustpilot reviews. One customer said, “We’re really glad CarMoney were helpful and let you know all about Bumper!” and another wrote, "Spot on customer service. Efficient response and prompt feedback. Well done guys.” 

Well done to Michael, Jon, and the rest of the team at CarMoney on an outstanding month using Bumper’s PayLater to make car deposits affordable for all. 

Dealership of the Month: CarMoney 

We have moved our headquarters to the heart of Sheffield City Centre. 

Located near Sheffield Hallam University, the new site is home to our Operations, Growth, and People team. The office is our third to open in Europe, with a tech centre in Ankara, Turkey and another office in Hammersmith, London. 

The news comes as it was announced Sheffield would be one of the first cities in the country to receive a share of the government’s £1.5 billion ‘levelling-up’ fund as part of their plan to improve areas outside of London. Since our move to Sheffield we have employed 12 members of staff in the Yorkshire area and plan to bring a further 40 jobs to the region. 

CEO and co-founder, James Jackson, said, “

We’re really excited to have relocated our headquarters to Sheffield, in the heart of Yorkshire. After a year of expansion and growth which includes partnering with new dealer groups like Nissan, and bringing Bumper to Germany and the Republic of Ireland, this next step will allow us to continue to grow the platform, opening to new markets, securing further funding and offering the service to more dealers and garages.

“When deciding to open an office in Sheffield, it really was an easy decision to make. Sheffield have access to great talent, through the world class universities and the growing start-up ecosystem. It's also a great place to live with access to the beautiful Peak District on our doorstep. 

"The people of Sheffield are hard-working, creative and friendly to their core, and we are thrilled to be able to bring more jobs to the local area. What’s more, the fact that Sheffield was one of the first cities to benefit from the Government’s Levelling up agenda proves that it’s an area with a bright future ahead. We can’t wait to continue growing and achieving more success, boosting the economy in Sheffield and the surrounding area.” 

Alastair Shephard

Content Writer