Get your car lights inspected at your home or office.

Our certified mobile mechanics come to you 7 days a week between 7 AM and 9 PM.

Estimate price near me

Service Location

Customer Ratings

(175)

How A Diagnostic Works

Instantly book a certified mobile mechanic to come to you

Mechanic diagnoses the problem and quotes necessary repairs

Your vehicle is ready to go

Fair, upfront & transparent pricing for all services

Our certified mobile mechanics can come to you now.

Customer Ratings

(175)


Lights (Headlamps/beams/brakes) Inspection Service

The headlights and brake lights on a vehicle are absolutely essential for safe driving and in many cases it is illegal to drive if they are not functioning correctly. Problems with the light system can range from a simple blown bulb to something more complicated like a faulty socket.

Regardless of the reason, lights that are not functioning can lead to dangerous driving conditions, so the lighting system should be inspected and repaired as soon as possible.

How this system works:

Headlights

There are a number of different types of headlight systems but they all do the same thing: light up the road in front of the vehicle.

In a common halogen system, the headlight housing is where the headlight bulb sits. The inside of the housing is covered with chrome paint that reflects the light down the road. The chrome piece that coves the actual bulb is there to prevent the bulb from blinding oncoming drivers. They are powered by the vehicles electrical system. They can be toggled between a high and low beam. These systems use a halogen bulb.

Brake Lights

Brake lights illuminate when the contacts in the stop light switched are closed. When a driver steps on the brake pedal, this closes the switch, which sends power to the bulbs, which lights up the bulbs.

Common reasons for this to happen:

Brake Lights

  • Blown Fuse: The electrical power for the brake light system passes through a fuse and if the fuse blows, the brake lights will no longer work. While this is usually a simple fix, it could indicate a larger problem. If the same fuses continue to blow, the brake light system should be inspected.

  • Burned Out Bulb: Like any light bulb, vehicle bulbs will burn out over time. At some point in the lifespan of a vehicle the brake light bulbs will have to be replaced. Time frames differ depending on the bulb type. In most states driving with a burned out brake light is illegal.

  • Malfunctioning Brake Light Switch: The brake light switch works like a household light switch. When the brake pedal is depressed it opens the switch to send electricity to the brake lights. If the switch is bad it breaks the connection between the brake lights and the pedal. The brake lights will no longer work, or they can become stuck in the on position.

  • Issue with Bulb Socket: The sockets that the brake light bulbs sit in can be dirty. If the debris builds up on the contacts in the socket it will prevent the bulb from making contacting and it will not light up. In this situation, only one brake light will not be working, it is uncommon for both sockets to become blocked at the same time.

Unplugged Harness: The electrical system that runs the brake light system contains various harness and if one of them becomes unplugged or defective it will affect the brake lights.

Headlights

  • Bad Bulb: Just like the brake lights and every other bulb, eventually the headlights will burn out and need to be replaced. Bulb life varies depending on what type of bulb the vehicle uses. In most cases, if only one headlight is not working, replacing the bulb should be the first step.

  • Blown Fuse: Just like the brake lights, the electrical system that runs the headlights incorporates fuses and if one of them is blown the headlights will not work. If you cannot switch between high and low beams, a fuse could very well be the problem.

  • Bad Relay: If both headlights are not working, the headlight relay is one of the most common causes. The headlight relay is part of the electrical system and if it is malfunctioning, the lights will not get power. The relay will have to be replaced.

  • Bad Headlight Switch: The headlight switch is used to turn on the lights. If the switch is malfunctioning the headlights will not function. If it is impossible to turn the headlights on the car should not be driven at night and should be repaired immediately.

  • Faulty Socket: The socket that the headlight bulb sits in can become dirty or contaminated. If this happens the bulb cannot make the contact it needs to light. In this case, the most common symptom would be one headlight not working.

  • Moisture in Headlight: If the headlights turn on but are not illuminating the road there could be moisture in the in the housing. This will cause fogging and diminished performance of the headlights.

  • Bad Dimmer Switch: The dimmer switch allows the driver to switch between high and low beams. If the switch is malfunctioning the headlights can become stuck on high or low. Headlights stuck on high could be dangerous for on-coming drivers and the problem should be fixed as soon as possible.

What to expect:

A top­-rated mobile mechanic will come to your home or office to determine the source and cause of the headlight or brake light issue, and will then provide a detailed inspection report that includes the scope and cost of the necessary repairs.

How important is this service?

The lights are a major safety component of the vehicle and they should be maintained to ensure safe driving conditions. Malfunctioning lights should be inspected and repaired as soon as possible.


Recent Lights (Headlamps/beams/brakes) Inspection reviews

Excellent Rating

(175)

Rating Summary
162
4
2
3
4
162
4
2
3
4

Matthew

33 years of experience
1222 reviews
Matthew
33 years of experience
Saab 9-3 L4-2.0L Turbo - Lights (Headlamps/beams/brakes) Inspection - Norfolk, Virginia
Fantastic service. He was extremely knowledgeable and quick. I can tell that this guy knows his stuff.

Brian

23 years of experience
661 reviews
Brian
23 years of experience
Hyundai Tiburon V6-2.7L - Lights (Headlamps/beams/brakes) - Jacksonville, Florida
Brian is amazing. Knowledgeable, courteous and gets the job done quickly. I appreciate that he took the time to explain what the problem was and how he was going to fix it. He will be my mechanic of choice from now on! Thank you, Brian!

Thomas

12 years of experience
101 reviews
Thomas
12 years of experience
Toyota Corolla L4-1.8L - Lights (Headlamps/beams/brakes) - Grand Prairie, Texas
I was really impressed and happy with Thomass experience and service. I would use his car services again.

Jason

11 years of experience
97 reviews
Jason
11 years of experience
Honda Accord L4-2.4L - Lights (Headlamps/beams/brakes) - Phoenix, Arizona
Mechanic sent me a text when he was on the way, then arrived right on time! Friendly, quick, and professional service that I recommend to all of my friends. Thank you!

Recent articles & questions

P0400 OBD-II Trouble Code: Exhaust Gas Recirculation Flow Malfunction
P0400 code definition Exhaust Gas Recirculation Flow Malfunction What the P0400 code means P0400 is an OBD-II generic code that the engine...
North Carolina Speed Limits, Laws, and Fines
Following Following is an overview of the laws, limits, and fines as they relate to speeding traffic violations in the state of North Carolina. Speed limits in North Carolina 70 mph: some rural freeways and interstates 65 mph: four-lane, freeway-grade...
Should You Buy a Dash Cam?
If If you’re someone who loves to watch viral videos on social media, you’re going to be familiar with dash cam videos. You know the ones - car crashes caught on camera through the windshield of a car, massive explosions...

Car wont start, doesnt attempt to turn over.

It is very possible that your starter relay (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/starter-relay-replacement) could be the issue. I would of course recommend that this is done by a professional, but you can try to jump the two electrical points on the starter relay with...

Overheating problems - 1985 Jeep CJ7

It sounds like you still have a blown head gasket or minute crack in the cylinder head or block, both of which can cause overheating. You mention that you "repaired the head," but don't identify what was done. I would...

My Check Engine Light is on - code P0025

Hi there. For your 2010 BMW, the [P0025 is the OBD-II error code] that (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/p0025-obd-ii-trouble-code-camshaft-position-b-timing-over-retarded-bank-2-by-jay-safford) indicates the Engine Control Module (ECM) determines that the exhaust variable camshaft timing for bank 2 is more retarded than what the ECM desires. This...

How can we help?

Our service team is available 7 days a week, Monday - Friday from 6 AM to 5 PM PST, Saturday - Sunday 7 AM - 4 PM PST.

+1 (855) 347-2779 · hi@yourmechanic.com