LED headlight not working? What to do when a non-replaceable LED fails

What does "LED (non-replaceable)" mean on FitsMyCar?

Where a car's light uses factory LEDs, our pages show "LED" in place of a bulb code. That tells you two things: there is no bulb to order for that position, and the light was designed and approved as LED from the factory.

It is the opposite of an aftermarket LED bulb fitted into a halogen lamp. Factory LED lights are fine for the MOT; converting a halogen headlamp unit to LED bulbs is a fail on cars first used from 1 April 1986. Our guide on whether LED headlight bulbs are legal in the UK explains the difference.

Which lights are most likely to be LED?

Of the 360 UK car generations we've verified, this is how often each position is LED:

So daytime running lights and rear lights are the positions most often LED. Many cars mix the two technologies: LED in some positions, conventional bulbs in others.

Can a car have LED lights and bulbs at the same time?

Yes, and it is common. Two examples from our data:

• Ford Kuga Mk3 (2020–2025): the dipped beam is an H7 halogen bulb, but the fog lights, daytime running lights, brake and tail lights and number plate lamps are all LED.
• Renault Clio V (2019–2025): dipped and main beam, front fogs, front indicators, brake and tail lights and the rear fog are LED, but the rear indicators take a WY16W and the number plate lamps a W5W.

That is why it is worth checking each position on your car's page rather than assuming "it's an LED car" and stopping there. Trim matters too: on some generations the LED headlights only come on higher trims, with halogen on the rest. Our guide on how to tell halogen, xenon and LED headlights apart shows how to check yours.

My LED headlight is not working: what now?

Work through these steps before booking anything.

1. Confirm what has failed. Check whether the whole lamp is out or just one function, such as the daytime running light strip or the indicator section. Note any warning on the dashboard.
2. Check the fuse. The fuse box diagram in your handbook shows which fuse covers each light. A blown fuse is cheap to replace, though if it blows again there is an underlying fault.
3. Check the handbook. Some manufacturers list which parts of the lamp are serviceable. In some designs a separate LED module or driver unit can be replaced without changing the whole headlamp.
4. Get a diagnosis. A dealer or a garage with the right diagnostic equipment can read fault codes and tell you whether it is the lamp, a control module or the wiring.
5. Ask about cover. If the car is under the manufacturer's warranty, a failed factory LED may be covered. If the lamp was damaged in a collision, it may be part of an insurance claim. Check the terms of your warranty or policy.

What about LED rear lights?

The same applies. On the 60 generations in our data with LED brake and tail lights, a failed section usually means a replacement rear lamp unit. Rear lamps are often easier to change than headlamps, as they are typically held by a few nuts inside the boot. Your handbook will say whether it is a job you can do yourself.

Our guide to brake light bulb types covers the cars that still use bulbs at the back.

Is a failed LED light an MOT fail?

A lamp that doesn't work is treated the same whether it is LED or bulb. Every MOT checks headlamps, sidelights, indicators and hazard lights, brake lights, the rear fog lamp and number plate lamps, as set out in the MOT inspection manual. Driving with defective lights can also lead to a fixed penalty.

Because part of an LED lamp can fail while the rest still lights, run through every function regularly. Our guide on how to check all your car lights on your own shows a quick routine.

Why shouldn't I buy an "LED bulb" to fix it?

Because a factory LED lamp has no bulb socket. LED bulbs sold online are designed to plug into halogen holders such as H7 or W5W, so they can't fit a lamp built around fixed LED chips.

If your car's page shows LED for a position, nothing in a bulb aisle will fix it. If it shows a bulb code, such as the H7 dipped beam on the Kuga Mk3, buy that bulb, not an LED version of it.

Check your car

These pages show which positions are LED and which take bulbs, with the source we checked against:

• Renault Clio V bulbs — mostly LED, bulbs for rear indicators and plate
• Ford Kuga Mk3 bulbs — H7 dipped, LED elsewhere
• Audi A3 8V bulbs — LED number plate lamps
• BMW 3 Series F30 bulbs — LED number plate lamps

Values can split by facelift or trim; the car page shows any split. Not listed? Browse all bulb pages or find your make.

Common questions

Can I replace an LED headlight myself?

On some cars it is possible, but it often means removing the front bumper, and the new unit may need setting up or aiming afterwards. Check your handbook, and if in doubt, leave it to a garage.

Do LED headlights fail?

They generally last much longer than halogen bulbs, but the LEDs, their driver electronics or the wiring can still fail. Damage from a collision or water getting into the lamp can also stop them working.

Will a non-working daytime running light fail the MOT?

The MOT inspection manual sets out which lamps are tested and how. Read the current wording in the manual, or ask your MOT tester, rather than assuming a partly lit lamp will pass.

Why does my car's page say LED for one trim and a bulb code for another?

Because the manufacturer offered different headlamps on different versions. The car page shows each split, so pick the line that matches your car.

Checked against our verification rules. Spotted something wrong? Tell us.