Headlight Repair & Restoration FAQ

With a booked appointment, most headlight restorations take around 3–4 hours — often done while you wait or the same day. If you’re posting your headlights to us, or dropping in without an appointment, turnaround is typically up to 48 hours depending on our workshop schedule. Booking ahead on 01474 461267 is always the quickest option.

Not for long. With a booked appointment most restorations are finished in about 3–4 hours, so you can usually wait or collect the same day. All work is carried out at our Gravesend workshop — we don’t offer a mobile or collection service — but if you can’t travel, you’re welcome to post your headlights or parts to us instead (call first so we can advise).

Professional headlight restoration with Carlight LTD typically starts from £[XX] per pair, depending on the severity of the fogging, yellowing and scratches. A quick assessment lets us give you an exact price before any work begins — there are no surprise charges.

Replacement headlight lens covers start from £[XX], with fitting from £[XX]. The exact cost depends on your make and model — we stock covers for most popular brands and can order in others. Browse your model in our shop or contact us for a quote.

In most cases restoration is significantly cheaper than buying a whole new headlight unit and delivers the same clear, road-legal result. We’ll only recommend replacement when the lens is cracked or damaged beyond restoration — and even then, a replacement lens cover is far cheaper than a full OEM headlight.

DIY kits can improve the look of foggy headlights for a short time, but the results rarely last. They remove the damaged top layer without properly resealing it, so the fogging usually returns within weeks or months — and uneven sanding can leave the lens hazier than before. Our professional process restores clarity and re-seals the lens with a protective UV coating, so the finish lasts far longer.

Three reasons: the right equipment (machine polishing and correct-grade abrasives), a proper UV-protective sealant that DIY kits don’t include, and experience reading each lens so we don’t over-sand it. The result is a clearer, longer-lasting, MOT-ready finish without the risk of ruining an expensive headlight.

Yes. Foggy, yellowed or hazy headlights that reduce light output are a common MOT advisory or failure. Our restoration clears the lens so your headlights throw a bright, even beam again — helping your car pass and, more importantly, keeping you safe on the road.

Because we finish every restoration with a UV-protective sealant, results typically last far longer than a DIY kit — commonly a year or more, depending on where the car is parked and how much sun and weathering the lenses take. Cars kept outdoors in strong sun may need a refresh sooner.

Yes — we stand behind our work. [CONFIRM YOUR EXACT GUARANTEE TERMS, e.g. “We offer a 12-month guarantee on all restorations.”] If you’re not happy with the finish, get in touch and we’ll put it right.

A foggy or yellowed lens can almost always be restored. A genuinely cracked lens usually can’t be safely restored — but rather than buying a whole new headlight, we can often fit a replacement lens cover for your make and model at a fraction of the cost. Send us a photo and we’ll tell you which route makes sense.

Our workshop is at Unit B7 Imperial Business Park, Gravesend, Kent DA11 0DL. We carry out all headlight restoration and repair here — we don’t offer a mobile or collection service, but we’re an easy drive from across north-west Kent, Medway, Bexley and south-east London.

Yes. If you’d rather not travel, or you’re based further afield, you can remove and post your headlights or lens covers to us for restoration or fitting, and we’ll return them to you. Please call 01474 461267 first so we can advise on removal, safe packaging and turnaround before you send anything.

We regularly restore headlights for customers from Gravesend, Northfleet, Dartford, Bluewater, Longfield, Meopham, Swanley, Medway, Bexley and south-east London. Not local? Post your headlights to us instead — just get in touch.