Car headlights and lighting: headlight, tail lamp, bulbs — how to buy well
Type of lighting: halogen, xenon, LED
The type of light is the most common source of mistakes. A headlight for halogen, xenon or LED is a different product with different wiring, even if the housing looks similar. Xenon needs an igniter unit, and adaptive lighting also needs a levelling unit or swivel motors. So in your request write not only the model but also what lighting your car has.
New, aftermarket or used
Aftermarket headlights are cheaper than the original, but the fit, the lens finish and the quality of the reflector can differ. A used original headlight from a dismantled car is often better made, but it may have scratches on the lens, yellowed glass and broken mounting tabs. So before buying, ask for photos of the back of the headlight, not only the front.
What to put in your request
- Which part — front headlight, tail lamp, fog lamp, bulb, igniter unit.
- Model and year — for example, Honda City, 2017, facelift.
- Side — left or right, front or rear.
- Type of lighting — halogen, xenon, LED, adaptive, with a levelling unit.
- Bulb base — H7, H4, D1S and colour temperature, for example 5000 K.
- Condition — new, or used with undamaged glass.
- Original or aftermarket — or similar brands.
- City, delivery and budget.
Example: “I am looking for a right headlight for a Honda City, 2017, facelift, LED. Original, used, undamaged glass, no broken mounting tabs. Courier delivery to Ottawa. Budget up to $170.”
How search and comparison work
Create a request, and auto parts sellers will send offers in the chat: what exactly, photos, condition, price, timing. The platform shows first the one that is best on content, with reviews of the seller beside each. Sellers see where their offer stands and often improve their terms. Your phone number stays hidden until you choose. Everything about how it works is on the “How it works” page.
Compare like with like. Is it a full headlight or just the glass? With bulbs and igniter unit or without? With a levelling unit? For a used one, ask about yellowing inside, condensation, cracks on the housing and whether all mounts are intact. For an aftermarket one, it matters whether it carries an approval marking for vehicle lighting and whether the beam is not off-aim. For bulbs, state the base and the wattage, and the quantity in the set: bulbs are usually changed in pairs.
Common mistakes
Ordering a headlight by model without taking the facelift into account. Taking the left instead of the right. Fitting an LED bulb into a halogen headlight without confirming compatibility: the light may dazzle oncoming drivers. Forgetting that new xenon needs aiming. If the bumper or bonnet is damaged, see body parts, and for the cabin see interior parts.
