Driving with a blown headlight is unsafe and in many places illegal.
Replacing a halogen bulb is often a simple DIY job.
Check the bulb type
Your owner’s manual lists the bulb type. Many modern cars have LED headlights, which are usually sealed units needing a garage.
General steps
- ▸Turn off lights and engine
- ▸Open the bonnet and find the back of the headlight unit
- ▸Remove the cover, unclip the bulb connector, and release the bulb
- ▸Fit the new bulb without touching the glass
- ▸Test before replacing the cover
Replace in pairs
Bulbs dim with age. Replacing both gives even light.
Check alignment
If lights seem aimed wrongly after replacement, have them checked so you do not dazzle other drivers.
Halogen, HID, and LED
Halogen bulbs are cheap and widely available but are the least bright and the shortest-lived. HID (xenon) bulbs are brighter but run at high voltage, so replacement is best left to a garage. LED headlights are efficient and long-lasting, but on many cars the LEDs are built into the headlight unit, which means replacing the whole unit if they fail. Fitting LED bulbs into a headlight designed for halogen may not be road legal in some countries and can dazzle other drivers.
CAUTION: This is general automotive information, not professional mechanical advice. Always follow your vehicle manufacturer’s specifications and service schedule, and have brakes, steering, tyres, and other safety-critical systems inspected by a qualified mechanic.