How Much Does a Headlight Bulb Replacement Cost?

Headlight bulb replacements cost around £50 when professionally fitted, but they only cost £3 to buy in store.

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

This guide covers everything you need to know about headlight bulb replacement costs, including when to change them, what it costs, and the most common questions.

Key takeaways

How much does a replacement headlight cost?

Headlight bulbs can cost as little as £3 from local car parts shops.

Independents often give better advice than big chains, and can help you fit them. But you can also buy from big brands, like Halfords and Wilco.

Fitting them 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, 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?

Chain stores and garages change different replacement fees. 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.

Some garages like ATS, Kwik Fit, or Wilco may charge more for the bulbs, 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 car repair finance 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.

How long do headlights last?

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.

How long do LED headlights last?

LED headlights last up to 30,000 hours. 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.

Can I change my headlight bulbs myself?

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.

Main types of car 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.

Bulb Type	How Long It Lasts	Estimated Cost Range
Halogen bulbs	Lasts about 450 to 1,000 hours	£5 to £30
Xenon bulbs (HID)	Lasts around 2,000 hours	£20 to £100
LED bulbs	Can last up to 30,000 hours	£10 to £150

Which headlight bulbs do I need?

Car headlight bulbs come in many sizes and 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

As with most things replaceable or refillable on your car, the user manual is the best place to check. It lists all bulbs needed, including headlights, brake lights, and indicators.

Want to check now? Many websites can tell you which bulb you need. 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.

How to change a headlight bulb

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:

Locate which bulb has broken
Locate the plastic cover on the back of the headlight unit and pop it off
Remove the metal clip to free the connector and bulb. Carefully remove the bulb from the connector (the edges of the bulb and headlight can be sharp)
Remove the bulb from the packaging and re-insert it into the connector
Replace the connector, ensuring the tabs are aligned correctly
Replace the spring clip and plastic cap

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

Extra tips for accessing the bulb

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.

Faulty headlight bulb signs

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

Dim or flickering light — Could signal filament wear or electrical problems causing weak or inconsistent light.
Visible bulb damage — Cracks, black spots, or other surface damage mean the bulb needs replacing.
Uneven headlight brightness — Different brightness levels or a bluish tint may mean bulb issues or electrical faults.
Intermittent headlights — Lights that turn on and off sporadically suggest wiring or bulb connection problems.
Burning smell or smoke — Overheating or damaged bulbs can cause a burnt odour or visible smoke near the headlights.
Headlight won’t turn on — Likely a burnt-out bulb or electrical fault in the headlight system.

About Halogen Vs HID headlights

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.

Traditional halogen 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.

High-intensity discharge or HID

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.

HID is brighter
HID is more energy-efficient
HID has a longer lifespan
Halogen has a warmer, yellowish light
Halogen are generally cheaper and cost-effective

HID lights need a projector inside the fixture, which directs the beam precisely forward. While projector headlights often mean HID, they can also use LED now.

Projectors focus light better than older reflector lights, creating sharp beam edges that are easy to spot at night compared to softer halogen beams.

Do HIDs blind oncoming drivers?

The main difference is that HIDs must use projector lights, which can be properly adjusted to avoid blinding other drivers.

Some retrofit kits try to fit HIDs in reflector units, causing unsafe stray light. This is illegal and will fail MOT tests. Factory HID cars have automatic levelling and washers to keep beams safe.

Do damaged headlights devalue a car?

Broken headlights can decrease a car's value by 2 to 5%, depending on the extent of the damage. Similarly, cracked lenses or superficial scratches will lessen the value.

Severe damage that requires lots of work may result in a 10% price reduction. Newer cars usually have higher depreciation, as headlight repairs require more labour.

Final thoughts

Whether you’re wondering about headlight bulb replacement cost at a garage or the price of fitting at places like Halfords, this guide has you covered. Bookmark it now to save the information.

When in doubt, always use a professional or garage to keep yourself safe and your car’s lights working properly.

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