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When looking for replacement tail lights, you’ll find out that there are far more options than you would’ve thought. This applies to both light bulbs and complete taillight assemblies. Because of that, picking the right replacement for your car can become difficult.
That’s why JEGS brings you this guide, in which we tell you all about taillight types, sizes, wattage, and costs.
Getting the Right Size
Of course, the very first consideration is the size. Making sure that the dimensions of your replacement lights are correct for your make and model will help you avoid fitting problems. With that said, vehicle tail light identification is simple, and a quick online search should tell you the exact OE part number for the light assembly replacement, as well as the type of light bulb that is recommended for use by the manufacturer.
Durability & Longevity of the Light
If you intend to keep your car for the long term, it's certainly worth investing in a replacement light of high quality, a trusted brand name. This option is often more expensive and, although you may be able to find a generic tail light for half the price, the tradeoff in quality isn’t worth it.
Generic parts often have imperfections and might slightly differ from original parts in terms of color and design, which can also result in them fitting poorly. Not only that, but subpar lights will also suffer from discoloration, water leakage, or other issues after a few years of use. Additionally, water leakage doesn’t have to be a result of the poor manufacturing quality of a taillight assembly but also of low IP ratings that cheap replacements often have.
On the other hand, high-quality replacements are thoroughly tested in real-life use. They are made to meet and exceed original manufacturer specifications, which is often confirmed by the extensive warranty of such products. This ensures improved durability and problem-free functioning, and that even many years after the warranty expires.
When it comes to the light source itself, halogens are known for having a rather limited life span, while LEDs are likely to last for 15 years and more, if the replacement is thoroughly tested and of high quality. By going with halogen lights, you always have to compromise either on longevity or brightness. The brighter the light, the more heat the bulb produces, which is the main cause of its deterioration.
Types of Tail Light Bulbs
There are three basic types of tail lights available: incandescent, halogen, and LED. This allows you to choose the best fit given your budget and preferences. Incandescent is by far the most obsolete in terms of technology, while LED is the norm in today’s cars.
Halogen light bulbs do not produce light anywhere as sharp and bright as the more modern LED options, which makes them unsuitable for headlights in today’s day and age. However, for tail lights, the brightness is less of a concern, so they are still a suitable option if you are looking for an inexpensive option that won’t surprise you with high repair and replacement costs. On the other hand, halogen bulbs need to be replaced more frequently than LEDs – if your LEDs ever need to be replaced that is.
LEDs are the most advanced of these options and win in every category. LEDs are brighter and far more energy efficient. They also don’t use any filament, which makes them more durable and increases their lifespan. Last but not least, LEDs allow manufacturers to come up with interesting daytime running light signatures, which significantly enhance the looks and recognizability of a car at night.
Is Wattage Important?
Replacement tail lights can also differ in terms of wattage, and many customers ask whether this aspect is important to consider. In fact, it is one of the most important indicators of a high-quality replacement taillight.
In general, a higher wattage means a brighter beam of light. With that said, you need to respect the factory specifications and get a light with the same wattage as the original. This is because higher-wattage bulbs consume more energy, which can result in excessive battery draining. Not only that but the car’s electric wiring is designed to handle a specific amount of energy and using higher than recommended wattage may overheat it or blow fuses. This also has the potential to cause fire damage, which we certainly want to avoid.
In short, you should stick to lights that are rated at the same wattage as the factory components, despite the brighter light of higher-wattage bulbs.
Cost of Replacement Rear Lights
Perhaps one of the most important aspects for many drivers is the cost of replacing the lights. In terms of labor at a specialized shop, prices are relatively low, as the procedure can be performed relatively quickly and doesn’t require any special tools.
When estimating the price of the light itself, it's not as simple. Replacement assemblies for German premium cars are generally more expensive than for, say, Ford or Hyundai. Moreover, prices vastly differ based on the technology used in the light. A typical halogen light will be far less expensive than an LED taillight with dynamic side indicators. Of course, you might also incur higher replacement costs if your car is rare and components for it have limited availability, this all drives prices up.
To give a more specific answer, the average cost to replace a taillight bulb is somewhere between $2 to $15 considering its halogen. When your car is equipped with LED lights, the price is likely to be between $20 to $100, or even more. If the entire tail light assembly needs to be replaced, you should prepare between $80 to $800. The lower range applies to older cars with halogen technology while the upper range is applicable for luxury vehicles. As a middle-of-the-range example, a pair of taillights for a 2023 Hyundai Elantra can be had for around $400.
If you are searching for replacement tail lights, we have a wide range of replacement parts for most makes and models at favorable prices. Our team at JEGS will be happy to help you choose the correct replacement to avoid any fitment problems.
