Even in the lightest auto accident a headlight always seem to a casualty. Even if the damage is at the other end of the car! Often, if the damage is minor it’s just the bulb that’s gone and there is no need to go to an auto repair shop just to have it replaced as it can be done fairly easily yourself. All you need is the correct bulb for your model and year of car, a flashlight and a spanner or screwdriver.

Firstly prop open the hood and take a look at the affected side. Depending on the vehicle the headlight unit may be secured by a bolt or screw. Find out which yours is and get the appropriate tool to fit. Remove the back cover of the headlight unit with a screwdriver and let it rest on something. Inside the housing will be a reflective backplate which is often held in place by a spring which also secures the bulb. Carefully remove the spring, and backplate.

You should now have free access to the broken bulb. There will be a wiring harness attached to it which can be pulled off to free the bulb. Remove the broken bulb and put it to one side. Get the new one and place it in the housing and re-attach the wiring loom. Secure the backplate again with the spring until it is snugly in place. Then refit the back cover until it is watertight again. Test the new bulb by switching on the headlights before putting everything away just to make sure.

If it all works nicely you can clean up and dispose of the old bulb happy in the knowledge that you just saved yourself a few dollars by doing your own car maintenance.