Updated July 10, 2025
How are your car’s headlights holding up?
Whether it’s a longer evening in the fall or a rainy spring day, it’s important that drivers have functioning lights.
Since many of us don’t turn on our headlights until we’re in the vehicle, we don’t always realize when they aren’t working correctly.
It’s also easy to miss minor problems unless you’re taking a closer look.
Headlight checks are a part of the courtesy inspections we perform when servicing a car. They’re also included in the annual Virginia Safety Inspection.
Headlight problems that inspectors look for
We keep an eye out for several headlight problems when conducting a Virginia State Inspection.
When bringing a vehicle into the shop, our technicians confirm all of the lights are working, including the high beams.
We look for headlights that are too dim or too bright, as well. The candlepower and aiming can be determined using a headlight aligner machine.
It’s also important that the headlight assembly is secure and mounted correctly. If the assembly is shifting, the vehicle will fail the Virginia Safety Inspection.
Inspectors want to check for any cracks in the lenses, which can alter the aiming pattern. Why do we focus on this? When you’re stopped at a traffic light or traveling down the highway, the headlights must be aligned in a certain way so you don’t blind oncoming traffic.
If a headlight is pointed up or to the left too much, it could impair the vision of other drivers and cause an accident.
The lens color is looked at, too. The headlights and back up lights must be clear. Meanwhile, brake lights should be red and turn signals need to have amber bulbs.
Foggy headlights are another problem our technicians are watchful of. Overtime, the clear coating on the lights wears off. The issue can be resolved through headlight restoration or replacement.
Replacing headlights
In a lot of cases, a car just needs a new bulb. However, there are instances when changing the entire assembly is the way to go.
Damaged and hazy lenses are a couple of reasons why headlight replacement may be recommended.
Sometimes, wiring problems are discovered during an inspection or maintenance service. Poor contacts with the connector is one example. There is so much heat that the ground connection can melt the connector. A blown fuse is another possibility.
We have suggested new headlight assemblies after finding condensation in them because they don’t come apart. In certain cases, a new assembly is needed when the bulb goes bad.
The lifespan of a headlight depends on the quality, as well as how often and where the vehicle is driven.
If you choose to replace yours, verify that it’s approved by the SAE with the correct number. This will determine if the headlight can be used on the road.
Cheap headlights that fit your vehicle are available for purchase online; however, they might not be allowed for highway use. If not, you could get a ticket. Headlights that aren’t SAE approved also won’t pass the Virginia Safety Inspection.
HomeTowne Auto Repair & Tire is an authorized Michelin and BFGoodrich tire dealer located in Woodbridge, Virginia. Automotive repair services are performed on all makes and models, including oil changes, brakes, alignments, inspections, and computer engine diagnostics.
