Headlight technology has come a long way in the last few years. From the halogen bulbs of old, there are now LEDs, HIDs and even lasers being used on posh Audis. All of these lights are more powerful than conventional headlights and use less power to run and look cooler. In short, they sound like a no-brainer upgrade for almost any car.
The problem is, that cars that were not fitted with such headlights from the factory are not legally allowed to be retrofitted with LED bulbs. For more information on why we’ve got an article about headlights for your car here.
And as cars that come with LED lights as standard will require a dealer to replace the bulbs, it means these bulbs can only be used in special circumstances.
LED headlight bulbs therefore can only be used on racetracks and off-road. So, if you own a track car you won’t be using on the road or a mud-plugging 4x4 and are wanting to upgrade your bulbs, we have the perfect options for you.
Why aren’t they road legal?
The reason you can’t retrofit LED headlights to a car is that there is no legislation to regulate or test these bulbs. Current legislation tests the filament that an LED light lacks meaning it isn’t covered. And as all bulbs require a British Standard mark to be legal, they are illegal to fit into your car. And because they're brighter, it's easier for them to dazzle other drivers if they aren't adjusted correctly.
The best H7 LED headlight bulbs for your track car at a glance
Editor's choice: Philips X-tremeUltinon gen2 - Buy now from Amazon UK
Best budget LED bulbs: FAHREN LED - Buy now from Amazon UK
Best LED fog lights: NOVSIGHT LED Fog Light Bulb - Buy now from Amazon UK
The best H7 LED headlight bulbs for your track car
Editor's choice
Description
Philips Automotive produce some really powerful headlights, and these H7 LED bulbs are amazing if you're wanting to upgrade what you can see. They're incredibly powerful and have a lifespan of up to 12 years.
Pros
- Fantastic lighting quality
- Innovative heat management system
Cons
- May flicker on some CAN bus systems
Best budget H7 LED bulbs
Description
Fahren bulbs have proven to be very popular in the USA, where they have different car LED bulb regulations, and they produce some good headlight bulbs if you're shopping on a budget. These H7 LED bulbs are good even if they won't be as powerful as more premium options. These have been designed as a no-hassle 'plug and play' halogen replacement bulb.
Pros
- Good value for money
- No adapter required
Cons
- May show errors on some car systems
Description
Save money and get brighter fog lights with these H7 bulbs from Novsight. Easy to install, these fog light bulbs are incredibly efficient once installed and will help deliver better lighting when visibility is reduced.
Pros
- Upgrade your fog lights
- Easy to install
Cons
- They won't be used much
Description
These Nighteye bulbs have a durable aluminium alloy shell which also houses a powerful 12000 rpm cooling fan to improve heat dissipation to increase the bulb's lifespan. They feature excellent waterproofing and dustproofing, meaning you shouldn't have any concerns no matter the weather.
Pros
- Durable
- Good weather protection
Cons
- The casing can make them difficult to fit
For night racing
www.halfords.com
Description
A pricy but top-quality choice, this set of H7 LED lightbulbs will give you up to 5000 hours of light before needing replacing. They also produce a bright white colour making them ideal for night-time racing.
Pros
- Excellent visibility
- Easy to install
Cons
- Not so good with reflector style headlights
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What does H7 mean?
Headlight bulbs come in different styles depending on what they do. H7 simply means these bulbs are single filament units with two prongs on the back.
How do I fit a H7 bulb to my car?
Obviously, every car is different and there will be some variation in how to add the lightbulb but here is a general guide to how to replace your bulbs. Always check your car’s handbook first, however.
One: Make sure your car is turned off before you lift the bonnet.
Two: Locate where the headlights are (it should be fairly obvious) and find where the bulbs are.
Three: Disconnect the three wires in the back of the bulb. These may be held on with clips, screw caps or a small catch. It is then a case of undoing the locking mechanism to retrieve the old bulb.
Four: Insert the new bulb and reattach the wires. Halfords recommend wearing gloves to avoid the oil on your skin from damaging the bulb. Make sure the bulb is properly aligned and you should be good to go.
Five: Some cars are more complex than others to work on (accessing the headlights on the second-generation Renault Megane required you to remove the entire front bumper for example).
Ryan Gilmore is the Deputy Autos and Tools Editor for Parkers and CAR, specialising in car cleaning and hand tools. With an MA in Automotive Journalism, when he's not testing buckets he can be found looking at old Porsches.
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