Headlight Restoration

We restore cloudy and yellowed headlight lenses at our workshop in Wyken, Coventry. Headlight restoration costs from £102 including VAT (£85 plus VAT) per headlight, with the final price set after inspection. After restoring the lens we apply a UV protective coat. It is an alternative to buying a new headlight when the lens is suitable.

Why headlight lenses go cloudy

Most modern headlight lenses are plastic, not glass. From the factory they carry a thin coating that shields the plastic from sunlight. Over the years that coating breaks down, the surface underneath oxidises, and the lens turns yellow or milky. Road grit, stone chips and harsh cleaning wear the coating down faster.

A cloudy lens also scatters the light, so the beam reaches less of the road and can dazzle other drivers.

What restoration does

Restoration treats the outside of the lens, where the yellowing, haze and light scratches sit. We finish each restored lens with a UV protective coat. How clear a lens becomes depends on the condition of the plastic and how deep the damage goes.

Restore or replace?

If the lens is sound and the haze is on the surface, restoration is worth considering first, and it keeps your original headlight. If the lens is cracked or damaged on the inside, a new lens or headlight unit is usually needed. Replacing the unit is a different job with its own costs.

When restoration will not help

Restoration will not fix:

• Water inside the lamp: misting that does not clear, or water collecting inside, which can come from a seal, vent or housing problem.
• A cracked or broken lens: damage through the plastic cannot be treated from the surface.
• Deep crazing: fine cracks that run into the plastic.
• Damage inside the lamp: yellowing on the inner surface of the lens, or a burnt or peeling reflector.
• A lighting fault: a bulb, LED or wiring problem is electrical, not a lens problem.

A cracked lens or a light that is not working can affect safety and whether the car is roadworthy, so have it checked before you rely on it, especially at night.

Headlights and the MOT

The MOT test checks your headlamps, including their condition, how they work and the aim of the beam. We cannot promise an MOT result, because restoration does not touch beam aim, bulbs or faults inside the lamp.

Keeping the lenses clear

Sunlight and road grit will wear a restored lens down over time. Wash the lenses with car shampoo and a soft mitt, and keep household cleaners, solvents, scouring pads and abrasive polishes off them. Do not scrape ice or insects off with a hard tool, and park out of strong sun when you can.

Inspection and price

The final figure depends on the condition of each lens. A small inspection is free.