Electrical · Car

Headlight bulb cost

£20 – £120Independent garage · Family car, SUV · United Kingdom
Book time 0.1 – 1 hMain dealer £25 – £195Difficulty Easy

By vehicle type

PartsLabourIndependent garageMain dealer
City car£10 – £30£5 – £70£15 – £100£20 – £170
Family car, SUV£15 – £45£5 – £70£20 – £120£25 – £195
Premium£35 – £200£5 – £70£45 – £275£50 – £400

Total incl. VAT · United Kingdom

By country

CountryHourly rateIndependent garageMain dealer
France€65 – €140€20 – €120€25 – €175
Belgium€60 – €125€20 – €120€25 – €165
SwitzerlandCHF 110 – CHF 210CHF 30 – CHF 190CHF 40 – CHF 255
Germany€80 – €190€25 – €145€30 – €215
Austria€85 – €185€25 – €150€30 – €215
Spain€45 – €90€20 – €100€25 – €135
Italy€40 – €80€20 – €95€20 – €130
Portugal€35 – €75€20 – €90€20 – €125
Netherlands€75 – €150€25 – €135€30 – €185
United Kingdom£60 – £170£20 – £120£25 – £195

Family car, SUV. Method

What changes the price

  • The hourly rate: it can double between a small-town independent and a city-centre dealer.

  • Parts quality: genuine, original-equipment brand or aftermarket.

  • Access: on some engines other parts must come off before the mechanic can reach the job.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a headlight bulb cost?

At an independent garage, expect £20 to £120, parts and labour included. Main dealer: £25 – £195.

Why is the dealer more expensive?

Dealer hourly rates run 40 to 60% higher on average, and genuine parts cost more than their original-equipment equivalents. Under EU rules, servicing outside the dealer network does not void the manufacturer warranty.

What is book time?

It is the reference time set for a given job. Garages bill that time even if they work faster. If a quote shows far more hours than book time, ask why. Book time: 0.1 – 1 h.

Data updated October 2026. Indicative estimate. MecaScan cannot see your vehicle: always have a diagnosis confirmed by a professional, and never work on brakes, steering or airbags without the skills.