Car bulb replacement in Exeter
Professional car bulb replacement services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£60
Typical Duration
0.5-1 hrs
Location
Exeter, Devon
Car bulb replaced quickly - headlights, indicators, brake lights, whatever's blown. Done at your home so you don't waste time at a garage.
Don't Fail Your MOT Over a Bulb
Easiest MOT failure to avoid - but also one of the most common. Modern cars make some bulbs stupidly hard to replace yourself. That's where I come in.
💡 Pro tip: If one headlight bulb has gone, the other's probably not far behind. Might be worth doing both while I'm there.
Why Not Just Go To A Garage?
| ✅ Me At Your House | ❌ Main Dealer |
|---|---|
| £60 for labour | £80+ just for labour |
| Done at your home | Drive there, wait around |
| 30 mins tops | Book days ahead, waste your morning |
| Honest about what you need | Upsell you an "electrical system check" |
What You Get
🔧 Quick Bulb Service
| Stage | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Identify | Confirm which bulb's blown (sometimes it's a fuse) |
| Access | Remove covers/liners/batteries - whatever's in the way |
| Replace | Old bulb out, new one in, test it works |
| Reassemble | Everything put back properly |
📦 Common Bulbs I Replace
- Headlight bulbs (H7, H4, H1, etc)
- Indicator/turn signal bulbs
- Brake light bulbs
- Reversing light bulbs
- Fog light bulbs
- Number plate bulbs
Pricing
| Job | Time | You'll Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Simple bulb (easy access) | 10-20 mins | £60 |
| Awkward bulb (needs disassembly) | 30-45 mins | £60 |
| Multiple bulbs same visit | 30-60 mins | £60 |
Based on £60 minimum (first hour). Plus bulb cost if I'm supplying it.
The Awkward Cars
Some manufacturers make bulb changes unnecessarily difficult:
⚠️ Audi/VW - often need bumper loosening or wheel arch liner out
⚠️ Renault - some need battery removing for headlight access
⚠️ Modern anything - increasingly tight engine bays
✅ Older cars - usually easy, 5-minute job
Why Choose Us for Car bulb replacement in Exeter?
Replaced at your home or work
No MOT failure for bulb issues
Right bulb fitted properly
Avoid the garage premium
What to Expect
Step 1: Identify the Problem
Check which bulb's out. Sometimes it's actually a fuse or connection - I'll spot that before ordering parts.
Step 2: Access and Replace
Get to the bulb housing (removing whatever's in the way), swap the bulb, test it lights up properly.
Step 3: Reassemble and Check
Put everything back, make sure all lights work, job done. Usually under half an hour start to finish.
🔧 DIY Tips
If you want to have a crack yourself, here's the approach:
🔧 What you'll need
- Correct replacement bulb (check manual or old bulb)
- Gloves (don't touch halogen bulbs with bare hands - oils damage them)
- Torch
- Possibly: socket set, screwdrivers, wheel brace
📐 Before you start
- YouTube your exact car model + "headlight bulb replacement"
- If the video involves swearing and removing major parts, call me
- If it looks simple, crack on
🔆 Replacing the bulb
- Turn power off: ignition off, lights off
- Remove cover: Usually a twist-lock cap behind the light unit
- Disconnect: Unplug connector from old bulb
- Remove old: Usually a wire clip or twist fitting
- Fit new: Reverse process - don't touch glass on halogen bulbs
⚠️ Common mistakes
- Touching halogen bulb glass (shortens life - use gloves or tissue)
- Forcing clips - they break easily
- Not testing before reassembly
- Mixing up which connector goes where (take photos!)
💡 Pro trick: Always do bulb changes in daylight or with good light. Trying by phone torch in the dark is miserable.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
🚗 MOT due? I can check all your lights while I'm there. Better to find out before the test station does.
LED vs Halogen: Some cars now have LED headlights. These rarely fail but when they do, it's usually the whole unit not just a bulb - proper expensive. If you've got LEDs and one's out, that's more likely an auto electrician job.
Often combined with:
- Full exterior light check
- Interior bulb replacement
- Pre-MOT checks
Frequently Asked Questions
Can't I just do this myself?
On some cars, yes - takes 2 minutes. On others, you need to remove the wheel arch liner, battery, or half the front end to reach the bulb housing. Modern cars can be properly awkward. If you've tried and given up swearing, I'll sort it.
Do I need to buy the bulb first?
If you know what you need and you've got it, great. If not, tell me your car reg and which light's out - I'll bring the right bulb. Cost you whatever it retails at plus my time to fit it.
My MOT's coming up and a light's out - can you fix it quick?
Yes - this is literally why most people call me for bulbs. MOT stations fail you instantly for any light out. I can usually come same day or next, get it sorted in under half an hour, you're good for MOT.
What if it's not actually the bulb?
Sometimes it's a dodgy connection or a fuse. I'll check that first before fitting a new bulb. If it's electrical rather than just a blown bulb, I'll let you know - might need a proper auto electrician.
How long does it take?
Depends entirely on your car. Some take 5 minutes, some take 45. I'll tell you honestly when you book if your car's one of the nightmare ones. Most are somewhere in between - 15-30 mins typical.
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