This week's blog is a guide to Mini Headlights - when and how to replace or restore them.

Mini Headlights can get cloudy overtime, resulting in a much dimmer beam than is safe! Below we take a look at the causes & what you can do to combat this on your Mini.

Your Mini's Headlights can degrade in two main ways:

  • Dimming bulbs
  • Discoloured headlight reflector or lens

Examining your Mini's Headlights should allow you to easily identify which part of your headlight has degraded, so you can then attempt to repair them.

Classic Mini Headlights

The bulbs in your headlamps can dim overtime as their lifespan decreases. Typically, Mini's headlights use Halogen bulbs which can last anywhere between 500 - 1000 hours. LED bulbs last approximately 30000 hours & Xenon bulbs around 10000 hours.

The casing on your headlights can become cloudy/yellow overtime, this can be due to several reasons:

  • Oxidisation: As time passes, the headlight lens coating begins to wear out & UV rays cause the casing to oxidise, causing yellowing.
  • Wear and tear: Scrapes & scratches can also speed up the wearing of the coating on your headlamps, usually caused by debris in the road and leading to a cloudy appearance.
  • Dirt: Dirt & chemicals from the road/atmosphere gather on your casing which can also dim your Mini's beams.
  • Water vapour: Wear & tear can break your Mini's watertight seal, resulting in water gathering inside the headlight casing.

Your headlights will appear discoloured/dim if you have a foggy or cloudy casing, even if your bulbs are brand new!

Replace or restore your Mini's Headlights?

Replacing Mini HeadlightsYou should use the following two rules from the Department of Transport's Highway Code to determine if you need to replace/restore your Mini's Headlights/Bulbs to be driving within the regulations.

Rule 226:

You MUST use headlights when visibility is seriously reduced, generally when you cannot see for more than 100 metres (328 feet). You may also use front or rear fog lights but you MUST switch them off when visibility improves (see Rule 236).

Law RVLR regs 25 & 27

Rule 113:

You MUST

  • ensure all sidelights and rear registration plate lights are lit between sunset and sunrise
  • use headlights at night, except on a road which has lit street lighting. These roads are generally restricted to a speed limit of 30 mph (48 km/h) unless otherwise specified
  • use headlights when visibility is seriously reduced (see Rule 226).

Night (the hours of darkness) is defined as the period between half an hour after sunset and half an hour before sunrise.

Laws RVLR regs 3, 24 & 25 (In Scotland - RTRA sect 82 (as amended by NRSWA, para 59 of sched 8))

We would advise that if you are replacing one side of your Mini's Headlights, that you also change the alternative side at the same time - this will ensure you have even lighting on the roads.

How to Restore your Mini's Headlights

You can temporarily restore your Mini's Headlights using a 'DIY' method at home with substances you will likely already have in at home. However ultimately these are not permanent fixes & we would recommend that you look in to getting any replacement parts that you may require to keep you & your Mini as safe as possible when out & about!

Always begin with a clean casing, after shampooing and then start your restoration with one of the following means:

  • Restoring Mini HeadlightsToothpaste
  • Sandpaper
  • Cola
  • Baking Soda
  • White Vinegar

We would also advise that you finish with a layer of wax to protect the casing & potentially slow any future damage.

There are also Headlight restoration kits available that contain everything you would need in the kit. We would advise that you follow the manufacturers instructions when using one of these.

Leave it to Mini Sport

Mini Sport offer a range of replacement Headlights & parts from the bulbs through to the entire assemblies on our website. If you're not confident in changing your bulb or headlight yourself, please give us a call on 01282 778731 where our team can get you booked in for our trusted mechanic to carry out the work for you.

Headlights play a very important role in keeping you safe on the roads, so it is vital to keep them in full working order.

Prevention

Although your Mini's Headlights will degrade with age, there are a few steps you can take to prolong their lifespan:

  • Wash your Mini regularly: Keeping your Mini clean with regular shampooing can keep the build up of dirt (that would ordinarily dim your headlights) at bay.
  • Polish your Mini: Polishing can eliminate any scratches that would result in your headlight lenses becoming discoloured.
  • Parking your Mini in the shade: Avoiding leaving your Mini in direct sunlight will limit the effect of the UV rays that leads to the oxidising of your Mini's headlight casing.

We hope that this blog can give you a little advice on the headlights in your Mini, but don't forget - our team is available 9am – 5pm Monday to Friday to advise you on any questions you may have – or assistance you may need, please don’t hesitate to get in touch!