How to Estimate Headlight Restoration or Replacement Cost
Hazy, yellowed headlights happen when UV exposure and time oxidize the polycarbonate lens. Light yellowing usually clears up with a polishing restoration, but heavier discoloration, cracks, or moisture trapped inside the housing can't be fixed that way — the whole assembly needs to be replaced instead.
This calculator takes your damage level (light yellowing, heavy yellowing, or cracked/broken) and headlight type (halogen, LED, or HID) and tells you whether restoration or replacement makes sense, along with a rough cost estimate. LED and HID units often bundle the light module or ballast into a single sealed part, which pushes replacement cost well above a halogen housing.
If your night visibility feels noticeably worse or other drivers keep flashing you for glare, treat it as a safety issue rather than a cosmetic one and get it checked soon — many states also fail a vehicle inspection for headlights that don't meet minimum brightness standards. Actual pricing varies by vehicle, OEM vs. aftermarket parts, and shop location; DIY restoration kits can lower the cost further, but a poor seal often means the yellowing comes back quickly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Mild surface yellowing usually responds well to polishing and restoration, but a cracked lens or moisture trapped inside the housing can't be fixed that way and needs a full replacement.
LED and HID units are often a single sealed assembly with the light module or ballast built in, so the part itself costs far more than a halogen housing, and matching or coding work may add to the bill.