Can I touch a halogen bulb with my fingers?

No. Skin oils create hot spots on the quartz envelope that shorten bulb life and can cause failure. Always handle halogen bulbs with a clean cloth or gloves.

Are LED replacements MOT-legal?

In the UK, retrofit LED bulbs in halogen-designed reflectors are not currently MOT-approved for headlights. Side, indicator, and interior LEDs are usually accepted, provided they emit the correct colour.

How often should headlight bulbs be replaced?

Halogen output drops noticeably after about three to four years of daily use. Replacing both headlight bulbs together avoids one side outshining the other.

Buy Bulb Kit Online | Best Price

Bulb Kit buying guide — what to know before you buy

A bulb kit groups the most common bulbs needed for a vehicle into a single box, covering exterior lighting (dipped beam, sidelight, indicator, brake, fog) and often a small selection of interior bulbs. Useful for MOT preparation, long journeys, and complying with legal requirements in some European countries to carry spares.

When to replace

Replace bulbs as soon as a failure is noticed. A blown headlight or brake light is an MOT failure and unsafe at night.

Any exterior bulb has failed
Bulbs visibly darkened — output reduced even though they still light
MOT preparation — pre-emptively replace any dim bulbs
Long European journey — many countries require a spare bulb kit
Bulb age over five years on a daily-driven vehicle

What to look for when buying

Bulb kits must contain the correct format for your vehicle. The owner's manual lists the bulb codes for every position.

Identify all bulb formats (H1, H4, H7, H11, HB3, HB4, W5W, W21W, P21W, etc.)
Confirm the correct fuse ratings if the kit includes spare fuses
LED replacements must be compatible with CANbus systems — most factory holders are designed for incandescent draw
Long-life or +30/+90/+130 % output options for headlight bulbs
Carry only the bulbs your vehicle actually uses — generic kits include redundant bulbs