£1300 to repair car headlights??

PurpleBees

I'm totally clueless here as I have always owned very old used cars, and this is the first time I have owned a slightly more modern used car, with automatic LED headlights. Vauxhall Astra, 2009.

One of the headlights stopped working. I naively thought it would just be a case of a bulb change, but no. My local garage said they didn't have the equipment to do it, so to go to Halfords. Halfords said there's a barely visible crack in the headlight that has allowed water to seep in, destroying the module, so the headlight and module both need to be completely replaced. They said they wouldn't be able to source them on the aftermarket, they'd have no choice but to order them new, at £650 for the headlight, plus £650 for the module, plus labour.

Can anyone tell me if that sounds right, or if it is likely I would be able to find a garage who would be able to source the parts cheaper and do the repairs?

Robin9

Have you talked to a Vauxhall dealer ?

daveyjp

As you have found modern headlight units are expensive, however they may not be £1300 expensive.

Try an owners club website for specific advice on options.

ratrace

im assuming there are xeon lights with day running light intergrated if that is the case then yes there is a module on the headlamps at the back or the top and could be faulty

having 4 astras in the past 2011 being the new one all mine have had non xenon light and just the normal halagon one i did replaceone for £60 used

personally i would get some used ones for such an old car, if you look at the module and the headlights there should be a part number on them punch that number into ebay etc... and see what they are doing second hand

oh and stop going to places like halfrauds you are paying way over the odds for everything 

or pm with pics of the lights and i may be able to point you in the right direction im in the motor trade

The_Fat_Controller

@ratrace the OP has indicated the have LED lights.

As you seem to think they are not, we'll have to wait for further confirmation from the OP.

Ganga

They could always try the scrapyard for replacement headlamps.

daveyjp

2009 came across to me as being very early for LED lighting for a eurobox.

I would expect xenons, but even then probably only on the higher spec models.

TadleyBaggie

It will be a Mark V Astra (H) and certain models came with Xenon lights, none had LED.

Flight3287462

Check Ebay and see what's on there.

Get the part number so you know its the right one and don't buy the wrong side.

sevenhills

TadleyBaggie said:

It will be a Mark V Astra (H) and certain models came with Xenon lights, none had LED.

£215

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/124614996709?fits=Model:Astra&hash=item1d03a1f2e5:g:AmkAAOSw7GpgQyfY

neilmcl

I'd suggest going to a Vauxhall dealer for some proper advice rather you local Halfords who don't seem to know.