Repairing Guides

how much does it cost to repair headlights

by Lance Beatty DVM Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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The average cost to have a headlight bulb replaced by a mechanic is between $100 and $130. To do the job yourself, the cost will depend heavily on the make and model of your vehicle and the type of bulb. Replacing headlight assemblies is much pricier and may cost anywhere from $50 to over $3,000.

According to an aftermarket auto part retailer, the cost per each High-Intensity discharge bulb replacement is $100 or more while the average cost of replacing an entire headlight assembly is ranges from $250 to $700. We recommend you replace both bulbs even if only one bulb is faulty.

Full Answer

How much does replacing a headlight cost?

Replacing a headlight can range from $200 all the way to $1000 depending on how old your car is and who manufactured the vehicle. Typically the more expensive your car is the more it will cost to replace a headlight on it. If you have an old Chevy or Ford truck you can find brand new headlights for less than $50 a headlight.

How much should I charge for headlight restoration?

There are a number of professional headlight restoration services that charge approximately $100 to $250 to restore both headlights on a vehicle. Replacing the lens can be much more expensive. There are many do-it-yourself headlight restoration kits available on the market.

How much is it to replace a headlight bulb?

When replacing headlights keep in mind:

  • If a bulb does not have a visible filament that can inspected and tested, a mechanic might first test to see if there is power to the bulb. ...
  • Halogen lamps and sealed beams should be replaced in pairs so that illumination levels are equal on both sides of the car.
  • Plastic lenses on many headlights degrade over time. ...

More items...

What are the best replacement headlights?

  • Top automotive laser LED large chip, 60W, 10,000LM per pair, 6500K cold white light. The effect of condensing light is better.
  • IP68 waterproof, LED Headlight Bulbs can cope with extreme environments. ...
  • The driver has a built-in intelligent temperature control system to stabilize the voltage and current at all times and escort you at all times.

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How much does it cost to replace a headlight on a Hyundai Sonata?

Hyundai Sonata’s cost to replace headlight will reach $45 to $57. Breaking it down, labor will cost $26 to $34 and parts will come by at $19 to $23. A Subaru Justy and Subaru XT will hand you around $39 to $55 and labor of $26 to $34. Parts won’t cost you an arm for it only asks you to spend $13 to $21.

What to do if your headlights are broken?

At least, the whole parts of your cars will be paid for repairs and replacements.

How much does a Buick LaSabre cost?

Buick LaSabre is around $68 to $93, and breaking it down to labor costs of $52 to $67 and parts of $16 to $26. A Dodge Grand Caravan’s headlights price is somewhere between $60 to $82, with $44 to $56 for labor rates and $16 to $26 for headlight parts. Honda Accord is charged at $208, while Toyota Tacoma is $195.

Can I install headlights myself?

If headlights are included in their annual check-up, you can bring in your problems to them. DYI. If you’re mechanically good in fixing car parts, you can install the headlights yourself. Just buy a quality-made headlight that fit your budget and fix it yourself.

Is it safe to replace headlights?

Replacing your headlights is not only necessary but it’s quite vital for your safety as well. It can improve your car’s ability to flash at night. In addition to that, not only you get to be safe, but other drivers, motorists and pedestrians as well. Everybody is not safe when the headlights are out.

Can you replace a DYI headlight?

DYI headlight replacement. Headlight replacement is one of those auto fixes you can for yourself. It often as considered as a DIY move especially when it comes to changing light bulbs and fuses. Bulb replacement is tricky and a bit hard because it’s a bit far from your reach.

How much does it cost to replace a headlamp bulb?

The labor time to replace a headlamp bulb is about 0.3 of an hour, and separate high and low beam bulbs are used. A high or low beam replacement bulb from various manufacturers costs about $10 each, and the factory replacement bulbs cost about $23 each.

How much does a low beam bulb cost?

There are separate bulbs for the high and low beams. Factory bulbs cost about $23 for the low beam bulb and $10 for the high beam bulb. Phillips replacement bulbs cost about $6 for either bulb. For a low beam, the total cost would be around $53 using OE parts or $36 using aftermarket parts.

How much does it cost to replace a 2008 Nissan Altima low beam bulb?

The labor time to replace any bulb is estimated at 0.7 of an hour. A factory halogen bulb costs about $25, and an aftermarket bulb costs about $10.

Why do headlights burn out?

But sometimes, there is an underlying cause. Any oils on the bulb glass can cause local hot spots when the bulb is on, which can cause stresses in the glass and cracking. This releases the bulb vacuum and causes it to burn out.

What does HID stand for in headlights?

The next type of headlight is HID, which stands for “high-intensity discharge”. It also goes by the name of “xenon”, which is the gas used in the bulbs.

Is it easy to replace a light bulb?

Access to the bulbs for replacement isn’t often easy but is usually provided for in some way as to make it not too laborious. There are a few different kinds of bulbs, and the cost of replacement typically comes down to what kind of bulb is used. There is a high beam and a low beam.

Replacing Headlight Bulbs

Most of the time, when people say “headlights,” they’re actually referring to the headlight bulbs. These burn out over time, just like the light bulbs in your home.

Bulb Types

According to Kelley Blue Book, the average price for a halogen bulb that’s the same performance as the original, factory-installed bulb is around $20.

Replacing a Headlight Assembly

There are some cases where you may need to replace the entire headlight assembly rather than just the bulb. This may occur if you are in a collision or something else strikes the headlight to cause physical damage.

The Bottom Line on Replacing Headlights

Replacing your vehicle’s headlight bulbs is something you will likely have to do at some point during the vehicle’s life. Luckily, it’s usually an easy fix that you can do yourself.

What's the purpose of a headlight cover?

The primary purpose of a headlight cover is to protect your headlights while driving. Some things that covers protect your headlights from:

Should I replace the cover myself or go to a mechanic?

Replacing your headlight covers yourself is a viable option that a lot of people do to save money. If budget isn't an issue for you, it's usually easier to have a professional do it.

How much can I expect to pay to replace my headlight cover?

The exact cost of having your headlight covers replaced depends on your car's make and model, what state you live in, the labor rates for your mechanic, and the type of covers you need. Some car models require a mechanic to install the covers professionally. On average, expect to spend roughly $250-$700 if you pay a professional.

Does my insurance pay for maintenance and repairs?

Most insurers won't pay for regular repairs and maintenance; however, some policies include roadside assistance. If you're vehicle breaks down, you'll be towed to a mechanic for repairs.

When the time arises, is my insurance going to be enough?

When it comes to car insurance, there are several factors to consider beyond monthly cost. A policy that covers you when you need it, has a low deductible, and offers several discounts can be hard to find - which is why we've done the work for you.

How much does it cost to restore headlights?

You can restore your old headlights. With headlight restoration cost around $50 or much less for materials and your time, versus $100 minimum for a new headlight housing. It’s well worth the headlight restoration cost compared to replacing the housings.

How long does it take to polish a headlight cover?

You must sand and polish the whole headlight cover, till it’s clear. This can take 30-45 minutes a side, depending on the size of the headlight. If you get a kit with a drill attachment you can cut this time in over half. Although, now you need to figure in the cost of a drill if you don’t already have one.

How to sand a headlight without a kit?

Of course, if you choose to buy sandpaper and do it without a kit here are the simple steps. Start by masking off the body around your headlight. Then wet down the headlight cover with water. Starting with a sandpaper no rougher than 1000 grit sand the housing until it looks uniform in color.

How much does a polishing wheel cost?

Then you still have to get the polishing wheel and polish. A polishing wheel is $10-15, and can of polish starts at $5. This means you’ll have $25-45 in materials.

Why should headlights be maintained?

Headlights are an integral part of your vehicle and should always be maintained to increase visibility for you and other drivers during the early mornings, nights and foggy weather.

Why are my headlights dim?

Like all exterior surfaces, acrylic headlights can be degraded by harsh weather like rain, snow and bright sunlight. While the light mechanism and the light bulb may eventually require replacement, your vehicle’s acrylic lenses could be the main cause of the problems you’re experiencing, and can often be repaired or restored.

Why are my car's headlights yellow?

Oxidation: Car headlights can become yellowed by prolonged exposure to UV rays. This is particularly common for vehicles that are not stored in a garage. Water vapor: If the watertight seal around the headlight is worn or damaged, water vapor can condense on the inside of the acrylic lens.

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