How Much Does a New Vehicle Headlight Bulb Cost? [Replacement Prices by Mechanic]

If your headlight goes out, you may be wondering how much it will cost to get a new one and replace the bulb. The cost of replacing a headlight bulb varies as there are factors that can affect the price of the particular bulb you want to buy, for example, the type of vehicle you have and the type of headlight you need.

In this post, we will provide an overview of the cost of getting a new headlight and replacing a headlight bulb, things to consider when doing that and how you can save costs.

How much does a new headlight bulb cost?

The price of a  new headlight bulb depends on the store you are buying it from or even the mechanic helping you with that. In general, the average price of a new headlight bulb can range from $15 to $950. Why? Because there are a lot of factors that come into play for each type of bulb you want to choose. Some of these factors include:

• The make and model of your car.

• Type of headlight you are looking for (halogen, LED, xenon, etc),
• Size of the headlight.
• The average cost of things in your region.
• Special features of the headlight.
• Even the particular store you go to make the purchase.

With all the above in mind, you can check online stores like Amazon, take your time to browse through different options, check what others have to say about each product and then settle for the one you have seen to be the best in terms of price or other factors you want to consider. But if this seems like something you cannot do, go to a mechanic and seek his professional advice on what he thinks is best for your vehicle.

Can you replace just one headlight? 

While this may sound like a good idea on saving money on headlights, it is not an ideal thing to do. This is because replacing just one headlight will most likely cause one to be brighter than the other. You will also have the issue of one giving off a different colour/beam than the other.

Headlights are sold in pairs for a reason and if you have one faulty light, it is best to replace them both.

How can you save money on replacement bulbs?

Even with the prices of bulbs in the market, the good news is that there are ways to save money on replacement bulbs. One way is to buy them in bulk. Many online, and even offline, retailers offer discounts when you purchase multiple bulbs at once. Another way to save money is to find a mechanic who will install the bulbs for you at a discounted rate if he buys them himself. And the best way is to learn to fix the bulb yourself so that you can always cut down on the fee you would have to pay a professional to help you with it.

What are the headlight replacement prices by mechanics?

It is one thing to get a new bulb and do the replacement yourself, it is another to get it to the mechanic to help you with this. It comes with an additional cost as some mechanics may charge as much as $100 for a headlight bulb replacement, while others may charge as little as $30. These prices aren’t fixed as in many cases, you can negotiate this with the mechanic, but it would depend on the technicalities surrounding the new headlights and the model of your vehicle. You also need to confirm if the price includes both the cost of the parts and labour.

If you compare this price to other services, such as Jiffy Lube and some other high-class service mechanic shops, your regular mechanic may be cheaper than the others even though the service is the same. Therefore, it is important to do your research before you choose a mechanic.

How to Replace your headlight bulbs yourself

Replacing headlight bulbs is usually pretty easy if you feel comfortable doing this yourself. Most vehicles have access panels on the back of the headlights that you can remove to get to the bulbs. You’ll need a screwdriver or some other tool to remove the panels. Once you have access to the bulbs, simply twist them out and twist in the new ones. Make sure you don’t touch the glass part of the new bulb with your fingers, as this can cause them to burn out prematurely.

In all honesty, the best way to save money on a headlight bulb replacement is to do it yourself. You can learn this even by watching tutorials on youtube. Here is one from  that simplified the whole process:

How To Replace Car Headlight Bulb Easily | How To Change Headlight Bulb(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTX7WfrgwiU)

What are the signs that you need to replace your headlight bulbs?

Unless you have a good reason to change your headlights, like it burning out, there may not be any need to do that often. However, there are little signs that might come up to show you that indeed, you need to replace your bulbs. Some of these include:

1. Your headlights are dimmer than usual.
2. You notice a crack in your headlight lens that is affecting the bulbs.
3. Your headlight is leaking fluid.
4. You see condensation inside your headlight bulb and this is not letting you see the road.
5. Your headlight bulb is burned out (you’ll see a blackened or broken filament).
6. If your headlights are dim or yellow, it’s probably time to replace the bulbs. You may also notice that your headlight beams aren’t as bright as they used to be.

What are the benefits of replacing your headlight bulbs?

If your bulb shows you the earlier mentioned signs that should alert you to replace it, once you do that, no one needs to tell you the benefits and differences you would notice. Here are a few:

1. You will have improved visibility while driving at night or in bad weather.
2. Your car will look better with new headlight bulbs.
3. You will be safer on the road since other drivers will be able to see you easily.

What are the risks of not replacing your headlight bulbs?

If you are worried about the price of a new headlight bulb and don’t replace your headlight bulbs when they need to, many risks come with this. Some of them include:

1. You risk decreased visibility while driving, which can lead to accidents. 
2. You can get pulled over. In most states, it is illegal to drive without headlights. If you are pulled over, you could be issued a ticket.
3. If you can’t see clearly and get involved in an accident, or another driver can’t see you clearly and hits you, it’s your fault. Not being able to see at night is dangerous and puts both you and other drivers at risk

How can you extend the life of your headlight bulbs?

To also help you save the cost of getting new headlights to replace often, you can try a few tips to extend the lifespan of your headlights and reduce how often you buy new ones. Here are a few tips:

1. Check your headlight bulbs regularly for any damage or corrosion and clean them as needed.
2. Consider upgrading to LED headlight bulbs, which have a longer lifespan than traditional halogen bulbs.
3. Be careful when handling your headlight bulbs so you don’t break them.
4. Use a headlight bulb protector to keep them from getting damaged.

Conclusion

The cost of a new headlight bulb can vary depending on the type of vehicle you have. If you take your vehicle to a mechanic to have the headlight bulb replaced, you can expect to pay a bit more on top of the price of the bulb itself.

Of course, the best way to save money on headlight bulb replacement is to do it yourself. If you’re not comfortable doing that, you can always ask a friend or family member who is handy with cars to help you out.