Tail light bulb replacement in Exeter
Professional tail light bulb 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
Tail light bulb replaced quickly and correctly. Get your brake lights, indicators, or tail lights working again - safe, legal, and MOT-ready.
Don't Ignore That Dashboard Warning
Little light on your dashboard showing a bulb's out. You've been ignoring it for weeks. Then you remember your MOT's next month and it's an automatic fail.
💡 Pro tip: A blown tail light isn't just an MOT fail - it's dangerous. Drivers behind you can't see you braking or indicating. Fix it promptly.
Why It Matters
More than just a legal requirement:
| ✅ Fixed Properly | ❌ Left Broken |
|---|---|
| Drivers can see you braking | Rear-end collision risk |
| Legal and MOT pass | Instant MOT fail |
| Correct bulb type fitted | Wrong bulb, fails again quickly |
| Both sides working | Lopsided, looks dodgy |
What You Get
🔧 The Full Service
I'll identify which bulb has blown, fit the correct replacement, test all your lights work properly, and check the other side isn't about to fail too.
📦 You're Left With
- All tail lights working
- Correct bulb type fitted
- MOT-ready
- Safe and legal
Pricing Guide
| What's Involved | Estimated Time | You'll Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Single bulb replacement | 15-30 mins | £60 |
£60 minimum charge. Some cars are 5 minutes, others need boot lining removing. Bulb cost extra if I supply it.
Perfect For Your Project If...
✅ MOT due soon - get it sorted before the test
✅ Can't access the bulb - some cars are a nightmare
✅ Not sure which bulb - I'll identify and fit the right one
✅ Failed MOT on lights - quick fix to get you through retest
Why Choose Us for Tail light bulb replacement in Exeter?
Correct bulb type fitted properly
Quick 15-30 minute service
MOT-ready, road legal
Both sides checked
What to Expect
Step 1: Identify Bulb
Check which light's failed and identify the correct replacement bulb type. Some cars have multiple different bulbs in one light cluster.
Step 2: Access & Replace
Remove the light cover or access panel, take out the old bulb, fit the new one. On some cars this is 30 seconds, on others it's 20 minutes of panel removal.
Step 3: Test Everything
Check all lights work - brakes, indicators, tail lights, reversing lights. Make sure the new bulb's seated properly and working.
🔧 DIY Tips
Tail light bulbs are usually DIY-friendly:
🔧 Tools you'll need
- Replacement bulb (correct type for your car)
- Possibly a screwdriver (Phillips or Torx)
- Possibly a socket set
- Clean cloth or gloves
📐 Replacement process
- Check your car manual for bulb access method
- Most cars: open boot, remove interior panel/cover
- Twist and remove the bulb holder
- Remove old bulb (don't touch new bulb glass with fingers)
- Insert new bulb
- Replace holder and test
- Refit cover/panel
✨ Different bulb types
- Standard bulbs: just push and twist
- Bayonet bulbs: push and turn anticlockwise
- Wedge bulbs: just pull straight out
- Don't touch halogen bulb glass - use tissue or gloves
⚠️ Common DIY mistakes
- Forcing the wrong bulb type in
- Touching halogen bulb glass with bare fingers (causes hot spots, bulb fails quickly)
- Not testing before reassembling everything
- Putting panels back in wrong order
- Breaking plastic clips on panel covers
💡 Pro trick: Before removing anything, take a photo on your phone. Makes reassembly much easier, especially if there are multiple clips or panels.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
🚗 MOT coming up? Get all your lights checked before the MOT. Much cheaper to fix a £5 bulb than pay for a failed test and retest.
Check both sides - If one bulb's blown, the other's probably not far behind. They were fitted together and used together.
Dashboard warnings - Modern cars tell you which bulb's failed. Older cars don't - you need someone to watch while you test them.
LED bulbs - Some newer cars use LED tail lights. These rarely fail but when they do, you usually need the whole light unit replacing (expensive). Worth checking with a garage first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can't I just do this myself?
Honestly? Yes, most tail light bulbs are DIY-friendly on modern cars. But on some cars (German ones especially), you need to remove half the boot lining to get to the bulb housing. If you've tried and can't figure it out, I can sort it.
Do I need to provide the bulb?
Either way works. If you know what bulb you need and you've bought it, bring it. If not, I can get the right bulb - I'll check your existing one and get the correct replacement.
How do I know which bulb has gone?
Get someone to stand behind the car while you press the brakes, then indicate left and right, then turn on your lights. They'll tell you which one's not working. Or you'll know because the dashboard warning light's on.
Will it pass MOT with a blown bulb?
No - instant fail. All brake lights, indicators, and tail lights must work. Get it fixed before your MOT or you're wasting the test fee.
Should I replace both sides even if only one's blown?
Bulbs often go in pairs around the same time (fitted together, used together, fail together). If one's gone and they're old, worth doing both while I'm there.
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