Used Car Headlights
Headlights are safety parts: they let you see, and they let others see you. A cracked lens lets water in, a faded lens scatters the beam, and a broken mounting leaves the light pointing at the sky. This page explains what headlights do, the signs one needs replacing, what to check on a used one, and how to enquire.
Call 07961 404768WhatsApp 07961 404768What a headlight does
A headlight is a sealed unit: a lens, a reflector, a bulb or LED, and the housing that holds them to the car. The dipped beam lights the road ahead without dazzling other drivers, the main beam reaches further, and the indicator and side light sit in the same unit on most cars.
Modern headlights are more than a bulb in a box. Many have levelling motors that adjust the beam when the car is loaded, and some have washers or a control unit of their own. The unit is matched to the car and to the side — left and right are not the same.
Signs a headlight may need replacing
Headlight trouble is easy to see once you look for it. A light that is dim, misted or pointing the wrong way is a safety fault, and it can also fail an MOT.
- A cracked or broken lens letting water in
- Condensation or misting inside the lens that never clears
- A yellowed or cloudy lens that dims the beam
- A mounting broken, leaving the light loose or misaligned
- A levelling motor or indicator that has stopped working
What to check before buying a used headlight
Headlights are handed and matched to the car, so the part number and the side are the first checks. Then look the unit over: the lens, the mountings and the connectors all matter.
- The part number matches, and left or right is correct
- The lens is clear, with no cracks or heavy clouding
- All mountings and brackets are present and unbroken
- The connectors are clean and the pins are straight
- Levelling motors and indicators work where fitted
How to enquire about a used headlight
Give the registration, make, model and year of your car, and say which side the headlight is for — left or right. Headlights are handed, and a part for the wrong side will not fit.
Use the parts enquiry form, or call 07961 404768. Say whether your car has halogen, xenon or LED lights, and whether the unit has a levelling motor, so the right unit can be checked first.
Frequently asked questions
Are left and right headlights the same?
No. Headlights are handed, meaning the left and right units are mirror images with different mountings and beam patterns. Always say which side you need when you enquire, or the part may not fit your car. The beam pattern differs too, so the wrong side would dazzle other drivers.
Why is my headlight misted up inside?
A misted headlight usually means the seal has failed or the lens is cracked, letting damp air in. Small amounts of mist can clear as the light warms up, but water sitting inside the unit will damage the reflector and the bulb, and the light should be looked at.
Can a cloudy headlight lens be cleaned?
A lightly clouded lens can sometimes be polished, but a heavily yellowed or pitted lens scatters the beam and cannot be restored to a safe standard. If the beam is dim or the light fails its aim test, the unit needs replacing rather than polishing.
What is a headlight levelling motor?
A levelling motor adjusts the angle of the beam when the car is loaded, so the lights do not dazzle other drivers. It is a small motor inside the headlight unit. If it fails, the beam may point too high or too low, and the unit may need replacing.
What should I ask about a used headlight?
Ask for the part number and which side the headlight is for, and whether it matches your car. Headlights are side-specific and differ by trim, so the side and the number both matter. Give the registration when you enquire, and the side is checked with the number.
Related pages
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Call 07961 404768WhatsApp 07961 404768Autos Craft Ltd · 295 Cherrywood Rd, Birmingham B9 4UU, United Kingdom · Open 24 hours