Replacing headlamp unit

vmf199

Hello


Has anyone replaced a headlight (the whole unit, not the bulb) before? How easy is it to do?


I'm thinking a few you tube videos and some patience I might be able to do it....I've been quoted £250 for the job which I think seems a bit much.


Has anyone had experience doing this? Any tips advice welcome.


It's a VW Polo 07 reg


It's only thing my car failed it's MOT on (height adjustment freezed) so I need to fix soon


Thanks

alfie1950

A few years ago I replaced a headlamp unit on my son's 03 Polo.
At the time the headlamp cost about £120 at Eurocarparts.
You will need a few tools including a set of "torx" drivers.
It involved removing the front grill and removing the bumper on one side pulling it forward just enough to get access to the headlight screws underneath.
To remove/loosen the bumper you need to remove the screws holding the wheel arch lining and bumper securing screws.
Fit all the bulbs out of the old unit into the new one or fit all new bulbs( the headlight didn't come with bulbs ).
Before reassembling connect the new unit and check all the bulbs are working then facing a garage door or wall adjust the beam height .
I took my time to make sure I got it right first time so it took me about 2 hours but a mechanic should be able to do it in less than an hour.

System

Most are easy to do, a few nuts/bolts/screws and electrical connections. On some cars like my Mondeo you actually have to take the whole headlight out to change the bulbs and it is designed to be done in a few minutes.

£250 for the job including the part might not be over the top if they're using a new genuine VW headlight and not a third party one. Most garages would be charging a minimum 1hr labour regardless of how much less than that it takes to physically fit the part.

alan_d

It depends very much on the car design.
EG on my Volvo XC90 no tools are needed, just two metal rods lift up and out it comes... however on many cars you first need to remove the bumper and a load of other stuff so it's easily an hour or more work - so on top of a new headlight I can see why they are quoting so much.
Check it's really the adjustment mechanism stuck - I found the same issue on a friend's car was caused by a mis-fitted bulb recently, preventing the mech from moving!

vmf199

alfie1950 wrote: »

You will need a few tools including a set of "torx" drivers.

Thanks All...especially Alfie1950

Yes I started removing grill and front bumper...I need an angled torx driver so I can access one behind wheel arch...will get one of those..

thanks for letting me know that they don't come with bulbs...I wouldn't have thought of that!

Got a quote for one garage saying an hours labour, but yeah, think it'll take me a few to make sure I get it right...

Seen prices vary for parts from £58 to £122....can't access unit to get a parts number.....so not quite sure where to get from

Once again, big thank yous

vmf199

alan_d wrote: »

Check it's really the adjustment mechanism stuck - I found the same issue on a friend's car was caused by a mis-fitted bulb recently, preventing the mech from moving!

Interesting! thanks I'll check