Number plate light replacement in Exeter
Professional number plate light replacement services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£60
Typical Duration
15-30 mins
Location
Exeter, Devon
Number plate light fixed properly - bulb replacement or full unit swap. MOT-compliant lighting, sorted quickly.
Don't Fail Your MOT Over a Bulb
Got an MOT coming up and your number plate light's out? That's an instant fail for something that takes 20 minutes to fix. Either the bulb's blown, the unit's corroded, or there's a wiring issue.
💡 Pro tip: Check your number plate light when you check your main lights. It's easy to forget about until MOT time, then it's a failed test and a wasted trip.
What Usually Goes Wrong
Number plate lights are simple but they fail regularly. Here's why:
| ✅ Working Properly | ❌ Common Failures |
|---|---|
| Bulb works, plate fully lit | Blown bulb, plate not visible |
| Clean lens, good light output | Cracked lens, water damage |
| Solid wiring, good earth | Corroded connections, flickering |
| Unit sealed properly | Water ingress, unit corroded |
What You Get
🔧 The Full Service
| Stage | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Diagnose issue | Check if it's bulb, unit, or wiring |
| Source replacement | Get correct bulb or unit for your car |
| Fit & test | Install new part, test it works properly |
📦 You're Left With
- MOT-compliant plate lighting
- Bright, clear illumination
- Properly sealed unit
- No more warning lights
Pricing Guide
| What's Wrong | Time | You'll Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Bulb replacement | 15-20 mins | £60 + bulb |
| Full unit replacement | 20-30 mins | £60 + unit |
£60 minimum labour. Parts charged at cost (usually £5-20 depending on vehicle).
Perfect For Your Car If...
✅ MOT due soon - don't fail for a simple bulb
✅ Warning light on dash - bulb monitoring system triggered
✅ Can't see plate at night - illegal and dangerous
✅ Cracked lens - water damage likely, needs replacing
Why Choose Us for Number plate light replacement in Exeter?
MOT compliant lighting
Bulb or full unit replacement
Quick turnaround
No damage to your vehicle
What to Expect
Step 1: Diagnose the Problem
I'll check what's actually failed - might just be a bulb, might be the whole unit, might be a dodgy connection.
Step 2: Source the Part
If I haven't got the right bulb or unit with me, I'll get it from local motor factors. Won't take long.
Step 3: Fit & Test
New part goes in, connections cleaned up if needed, then we'll test it's working properly before I leave.
🔧 DIY Tips
Want to replace your number plate light yourself? It's one of the easier jobs:
🔧 Tools you'll need
- Small screwdriver (often Phillips)
- Replacement bulb or unit
- Clean cloth
- Electrical contact cleaner (optional but helpful)
📐 Replacing the bulb
- Find the light unit (usually above rear plate)
- Remove lens - might be screws or clips
- Pull out old bulb (usually a wedge type)
- Push in new bulb - don't touch glass with fingers
- Refit lens, check it's sealed properly
📐 Replacing the whole unit
- Disconnect wiring plug (squeeze sides to release)
- Remove unit screws or clips
- Fit new unit, reconnect wiring
- Test before refitting trim/boot lining
⚠️ Common DIY mistakes
- Touching new bulb glass with fingers (causes early failure)
- Not sealing lens properly (water gets in)
- Forcing clips the wrong way (breaks them)
- Not checking it works before reassembling everything
💡 Pro trick: Before reassembling, clean the contacts with electrical cleaner and put a tiny smear of Vaseline on them - stops corrosion and makes the connection better. Your bulb will last longer.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
🚗 MOT tomorrow? This is a quick fix - call me in the morning and I can usually sort it same day.
Warning light on dash? Modern cars monitor bulbs and tell you when they've blown. Don't ignore it - it's an MOT fail and you'll probably forget about it until test day.
Keeps blowing bulbs? That's usually a wiring issue - poor earth or voltage spike. I'll check the connections and wiring while I'm sorting the bulb, make sure it won't just blow again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do number plate lights fail MOT?
If your rear plate isn't properly lit, that's an automatic MOT fail. The law says your plate must be visible in the dark, so working lights are essential. Usually it's just a blown bulb, sometimes the whole unit has failed.
Is it just the bulb that needs replacing?
Usually yes - the bulb's blown and needs swapping. Sometimes the lens is cracked or the whole unit's corroded. I'll check what's actually wrong and replace whichever bit has failed.
Do I need to buy the bulb myself?
I can pick up a replacement bulb or unit if needed - just costs whatever the part is plus my time. Or if you've already bought one, I'll fit that. Either way works.
How long does it take to replace?
Simple bulb swap is usually 15-20 minutes. If the whole unit needs replacing it might be 30 minutes, depends on how your car's designed. Some are dead easy, some are hidden behind trim.
My number plate light keeps blowing - why?
Usually a poor earth connection or water getting into the unit. I'll check the wiring and connections while I'm there - no point fitting a new bulb if it's going to blow again next week.
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