Car bulb fitting in Nottingham

Most bulbs are a counter job and can be done there and then. A few vehicles need trim or the bumper removing to reach the headlight, and those are better booked in — tell us the make and model and we will say which yours is.

Yes. Lights are checked as part of the test, and a bulb that does not work is a straightforward failure. It is also worth checking the ones you cannot see from the driving seat, such as the number plate lights.

Yes, and there are genuine road-legal upgrades that put more light on the road as a direct swap. What matters is that the bulb carries an E mark — many of the very blue-white bulbs sold online do not, and a headlight that shines blue rather than white can fail an MOT.

Usually something other than the bulb. Water getting into the light unit, a poor earth connection or a charging fault will all shorten a bulb’s life dramatically. Replacing it again without finding the cause tends to give the same result.

Normally yes. They age at the same rate, so when one fails the other is usually close behind, and a new bulb next to an old one is noticeably brighter and often a different colour.

Headlight bulbs are supplied and fitted from £20, and brake, stop, indicator and other bulbs from £15. Brighter road-legal upgrades are from £25. All prices include VAT and are one price for the bulb and the fitting. Common headlight bulbs such as the H7 are at the from price; some cars take dearer bulbs, so the exact price depends on your car. On some cars the bulb is a quick swap, on others trim or the bumper has to come off first. Pop in, or call or WhatsApp us with your reg, and we’ll tell you before we start.

We only fit bulbs we supply. One price covers the bulb and the fitting, and we’ll find the right bulb for your car.

Tell us your reg and we’ll find it. Headlights commonly use halogen bulbs such as H1, H4 or H7. An H4 has two filaments, for dipped and main beam, in one bulb, while an H7 has one; their bases are different, so one can’t stand in for the other. Many brake and tail lights use small bayonet bulbs, and some cars have sealed LED lights rather than bulbs.

Under the DVSA’s MOT inspection manual, a headlight, brake light, indicator or rear light that doesn’t work is a major fault and an MOT fail. Headlights must also be aimed correctly, match each other and shine white or yellow.

Number plate lights are checked too: if the only one, or all of them, are out it’s a fail; if one of two is out it’s a minor fault. Rear fog lights, and reversing lights on newer cars, have to work as well.

Only approved ones. Since 14 October 2026, MOT testers accept LED replacement bulbs in halogen headlights if they’re approved for that particular headlight and the car carries the maker’s approval sticker. A generic LED bulb without that approval isn’t road legal and fails the MOT, and HID (xenon) conversion kits in halogen headlights aren’t legal either. Ask us before you buy and we’ll tell you what’s right for your car.

Yes. The Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations say your lights must be clean and in good working order. The police can give you a notice to get it fixed, usually within 14 days, or a £50 fixed penalty, and if it goes to court the fine can be up to £1,000.