Find out how to know if you need a new headlight bulb. We look at common signs that you need new headlights. Find out when your headlights need to be replaced.
Do Your Headlights Need to be Replaced?
Unlike other essential parts of your car that regularly need replacing, such as tyres, windscreen wipers etc., most people tend to forget about their headlights.
However, while faulty headlights might not be a problem for a sunny summer afternoon, they quickly become hazardous to you and other road users during the night. Driving with faulty or non-functioning headlights in low-visibility conditions is extremely dangerous.
Therefore, to ensure your car is as safe as possible, you should always replace them when they begin to fail. But how do you know when this is needed?
Signs You Need New Headlights
Knowing the signs to look for when your headlights are on their way out will help keep yourself and other road users safe. Here are the most common signs that your headlights need replacing.
Car headlights are dim.
Headlight bulbs naturally lose brightness over time, so when you notice you have dim headlights, it's a good sign they may be reaching the point where they're going to burn out. At this point, you can take your car to your chosen garage and have the car bulbs replaced. It's a straightforward procedure and shouldn't take your mechanic too long.
Car headlights are flickering.
Flickering headlights aren't necessarily a sign that they are about to go entirely and could instead be a sign of faulty wiring or other electrical issues. Either way, the safest thing to do when you notice your headlights flickering, like any other car repairs, is to have them checked and replaced by a professional.
Car headlights are hazy.
While not a sign of imminent failure, hazy headlights can pose a risk to you as a driver. Your headlights may naturally yellow or become hazy over time due to dirt or UV rays affecting the headlight cover. Again, this is a straightforward fix; you can either clean the lens yourself with purpose-made cleaning solutions or have them replaced entirely. If you're unsure what to do, always have your car checked by a professional.
Car headlights are dead.
Probably the most obvious sign your headlight bulbs are due for a replacement. Even if only one of your headlights is out, you should consider replacing both bulbs simultaneously. Since they were likely installed together, when one bulb goes, the other is surely close behind. This also ensures consistent light coming from the front of your car, as lopsided or uneven visibility can also be hazardous.
What bulbs does my car need?
There are a few ways to check if you don't know what type of bulbs you have in your headlights. Online databases are usually the easiest since you only have to search for your car's make and model, which will tell you what bulbs were originally installed.
Alternatively, there are a few different types of headlight beams to choose from: high beam, full beam, low beam and dipped beam. Dipped beam and low beam headlights are the most common for nighttime driving (the time you're most likely to be using your headlights). Their job is to illuminate the road in front of you enough to see where you're going without dazzling other drivers.
Alternatively, full beam and high beam headlight bulbs are the brightest you can use. They illuminate much further along the road and vertically to reveal everything in front of you when in very dark conditions. Given their intensity, you shouldn't use these lights when you have oncoming traffic.
If you're completely at a loss for which bulbs to replace your broken or worn ones with, you can always contact your vehicle's manufacturer or take a look in your owner's manual. Your manual should contain all the specifications of your vehicle, including the type of headlights you have installed for each type of beam.
If you're mechanically minded, you might even try taking your worn bulbs out of your headlight. The fitting information for the type of bulbs you have can be found on the bulb casing.
Types of Headlight Bulbs
For most modern cars, your headlights will likely use halogen bulbs. These work on the same principle as the bulbs you have in your home.
They are the most common because they are the most affordable while offering reduced luminescence and energy efficiency compared to more expensive headlight bulbs. However, if you have halogen bulbs in your car, they'll be easy to replace.
When searching for the right halogen bulbs to replace yours with, you'll want to pay attention to the fitting information we mentioned earlier. For example, H4 halogen bulbs are fitted with two filaments, while H18 bulbs are smaller but more powerful than other types.
Additionally, different halogen bulbs are better suited to different purposes, as you'll find that H11 halogen bulbs are mainly used as fog lights etc. You're more likely to see xenon or LED headlights on more expensive cars.
Since halogen bulbs are only common because they're affordable, you can imagine why LED and xenon headlights are only found on up-market models (although the price parity is fairly close these days).
Being slightly more expensive to produce, these types of bulbs are also more expensive to replace. LED headlights are significantly more expensive to replace, given that the entire headlight unit needs to be removed and swapped for a new one when the time inevitably comes.
However, while they may seem more trouble than they're worth, xenon and LEDs typically last far longer than halogen ones. So while they may be more expensive, they will go much further before they fail. Another benefit is that xenon and LED bulbs are far brighter than halogen bulbs, meaning they can illuminate more of the road ahead and ensure safe driving at night.
Additionally, given their construction (arcs and semiconductors, respectively, compared to halogen filaments), they can be designed in more intricate ways, giving modern cars a sleeker, more contemporary aesthetic.
Can I upgrade my car's headlights with aftermarket bulbs?
If you think the original headlights on your car aren't cutting the mustard, there's no reason why you can't swap them for aftermarket replacement bulbs. However, you should always ensure your new bulbs adhere to UK road regulations regarding brightness and headlight colour. This is also a consideration for those replacing xenon or LED headlights with third-party variants.
Also, you won't be able to swap original halogen headlights for xenon or LED versions. If your headlights are different specifications compared to what your car was originally fitted with, it will be failed at its next MOT test. The only vehicles you are allowed to swap halogen headlights for xenon or LED headlights are those registered before April 1986.
Of course, you are free to swap xenon headlight systems for LED headlights, with no legal restrictions preventing this. However, this isn't simple, so don't expect your mechanic to simply swap your bulbs around and send you on your way. Since this swap will be complicated, you should also expect a hefty bill when the job is done.
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