How much does it cost to replace a headlight? (2024)

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Cost to replace a headlight at a shop

How much does it cost to replace a headlight? (3)

When you take your vehicle to a shop for any repair that requires parts, they have a professional technician install the new bulb for you. They’re in the business of serving customers, but it comes at a cost to keep their doors open. The cost for installing your new bulb is appropriately called labor.

The labor time required to change the average headlight bulb by a mechanic should be between five minutes and an hour, depending on the model of the vehicle and the difficulty of the process. When you factor in the cost of the bulb and the labor, you will be looking at a total cost of between $30 and $300, depending on the type of bulb and the difficulty of installation.

If you need to replace the entire headlight assembly, the price variation is extreme, to say the least. Headlight assemblies for some vehicles can be purchased at AutoZone for as low as $30, but the price range for a replacement headlight assembly can go as high as $4,000 and above, for headlight assemblies that contain high-tech light systems. Then add the labor cost to replace a headlight assembly, which would typically be between $100 and $400, depending on how complicated the installation is.

As you can see, the cost of replacing headlight assembly and the headlight bulb replacement cost at a mechanic shop will vary widely, depending upon what type of vehicle you have.

Cost to replace a headlight yourself

How much does it cost to replace a headlight? (4)

If you have some basic hand tools and a willingness to learn something new, you can do a headlight bulb or a headlight assembly replacement yourself using video and written online tutorials as well as your manufacturer’s vehicle information.

When you consider that labor costs add a mechanic shop will be a minimum of $100 per hour, the benefits of doing your own work become pretty clear.

The cost to replace a headlight bulb can be as low as $15 for the parts, if your headlight is a simple halogen bulb. If you have more complicated HID or LED headlights, you can expect to pay up to $100 or more per bulb.

Replacing the entire headlight assembly can cost as little as $30, rising to upwards of $4,000 for the parts, depending on the make and model of your vehicle.

What should you choose?

Taking your vehicle to a professional mechanic shop will certainly cost more than doing it yourself, but if you don’t have the time or the inclination to work on your car, then it is obviously the right choice for you.

If you have the time to invest in working on your car you can save a lot of money in the long run. It takes an initial investment of $50 to $100 to purchase a basic set of tools, but then you can do a lot of maintenance tasks on your vehicle, gaining independence and a sense of accomplishment in the process.

Get all of your headlight bulbs, headlight assemblies, tools, and any other parts you may need to maintain your vehicle at AutoZone, and be sure to check out all our helpful how-to articles when you are working on your vehicle.

If you want to upgrade your car headlights, check out this video for information about the different types of bulbs.

FAQ:

Why are headlights so expensive to replace?

Some types of headlight, like halogen, are inexpensive to replace, but many new vehicles employ HID or LED bulbs, And those systems tend to be much more expensive due to their complexity and technology.

Can Autozone replace a headlight?

AutoZone can provide you with all the parts and tools required to change your vehicle headlights, plus helpful how-to advice, or even a list of qualified professional mechanics in your area.

How long does it take to change a headlight?

Changing a headlight bulb can take as little as five or 10 minutes, but if you have to change the headlight assembly as well you can expect at least a half-hour of work or more.

How long should a headlight last?

Some headlights may last the entire service life of the vehicle, but it’s typical for halogen bulbs to burn out after 500 to 1,000 hours of use. HID bulbs have a longer service life of 2,000 to 10,000 hours and LED bulbs will often last up to 40,000 hours.

My Headlights are foggy. What can I do to make them clear again?

Use a headlight restoration kit to revitalize them. Check out this video for a tutorial.

How much does it cost to replace a headlight? (2024)

FAQs

How much does it cost to replace a headlight? ›

When you factor in the cost of the bulb and the labor, you will be looking at a total cost of between $30 and $300, depending on the type of bulb and the difficulty of installation.

How much should it cost to replace a headlight? ›

Halogen replacement bulbs tend to be more affordable, with prices ranging from $50 to $150 per unit. LED lights generally fall in the mid-range, ranging from $100 to $300 per unit. The cost to replace HID headlights is usually the most expensive, with prices ranging from $200 to $600 per unit.

Will AutoZone replace my headlight? ›

Check whether there is an AutoZone near you and take your vehicle there. If you know the part number or the vehicle's make, model, year, and sometimes even its trim, you can walk into any AutoZone and walk out with a new headlight or taillight.

How much will a garage charge to change a headlight bulb? ›

Replacement costs vary based on factors like the make and model of your vehicle, type of bulb needed, and labour charges. However, on average, you can expect to spend between £50 to £100 for a professional replacement, or a bit less on DIY.

How much is one headlight for a car? ›

Common halogen replacement headlight bulbs cost about $20 each. New models may use xenon bulbs that can cost $100. Some vehicles have LED headlights and may require entire assembly replacement.

Does Walmart do headlight replacement? ›

Whether it's battery installation and services, headlight installation and services, or wiper blade and air filter installation, you can trust our technicians to handle it with expertise. We believe in providing quality maintenance that goes beyond just getting the job done.

Can you replace just one headlight? ›

Although only one light might be fully broken, you still want to get two new headlights installed. The reason for this also comes down to safety. If you have one brand new headlight and one that is a little older, then you are provided with an uneven headlight beam ahead of you.

Can you replace a headlight yourself? ›

Replacing a broken headlight is—in most cases—a reasonably easy thing to do on your own. Not only will doing this task yourself save you a few greenbacks, but it'll also give you that warm glow of accomplishment that comes with DIY work.

Can O'Reilly change a headlight? ›

FREE Headlight Bulb Installation at O'Reilly Auto Parts

We also offer FREE bulb installation*. *Our parts professionals can install most vehicle light bulbs, however, some vehicles are exempt from this service due to hard-to-access bulbs or lighting assemblies that require extensive disassembly.

Is it worth replacing headlights? ›

Why you should replace headlights. There's the obvious fact: dimming or burned out headlight bulbs mean you can't see the road and other drivers can't see you. It's a recipe for danger.

Why are headlight bulbs so expensive? ›

Well, the bulb alone can often exceed $100. The higher price comes from the simple fact that xenon light bulbs are much more powerful than a halogen, and while a xenon headlight is designed to last much longer than a halogen, it can still burn out eventually.

Who will change a headlight bulb? ›

If the electrical system to your car headlights is aging, or your car headlights are burnt out, come into your local Firestone Complete Auto Care store where one of our expert technicians will replace your car headlights with the best bulbs for your vehicle and inspect the electrical connections to the headlights.

How long does it take to replace headlight bulbs? ›

Changing a headlight bulb can take as little as five or 10 minutes, but if you have to change the headlight assembly as well you can expect at least a half-hour of work or more.

How much does it cost to replace one headlight? ›

Expect to shell out around $50 and $500, including labor costs to replace your car's headlight bulb, depending on the type of headlight used in your car. However, these rates can be higher for cars with advanced headlight systems where replacing the whole assembly is the only option to fix a faulty one.

Can I drive my car with one headlight out? ›

Driving with one headlight out isn't permitted in any state. Some states consider driving with only one headlight a correctable violation, so their law enforcers give fix-it tickets.

Does Jiffy Lube replace headlights? ›

Bring Your Vehicle to Jiffy Lube for Headlight Service

With all the changes and innovations, it's hard to stay up to date on headlight bulb types. That's why you can make Jiffy Lube® your go-to for vehicle maintenance, including servicing and replacing the right headlights for your car, minivan, truck, or SUV.

Is it hard to replace an entire headlight? ›

Replacing a broken headlight is—in most cases—a reasonably easy thing to do on your own. Not only will doing this task yourself save you a few greenbacks, but it'll also give you that warm glow of accomplishment that comes with DIY work.

How much is it to replace a headlight cover? ›

A headlight cover can cost you anywhere between $25 and $85 on parts alone. A repair shop may charge $100 to $500 for labor, depending on the rates in your area.

Why are headlights so expensive? ›

The higher price comes from the simple fact that xenon light bulbs are much more powerful than a halogen, and while a xenon headlight is designed to last much longer than a halogen, it can still burn out eventually.

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