Replacement HID Bulbs
Once the domain of luxury cars, High Intensity Discharge (HID) bulbs are now fitted as standard to many vehicles.
It is estimated that almost a million cars on the road in the UK are already fitted with HID bulbs. That's why, at Kwik Fit, we now stock replacement HID bulbs for fitment to a wide range of vehicles. Please note that existing halogen headlamps can not be converted with HID bulbs as they will fail an MOT. Vehicles equipped with HID headlamps (except motorcycles) are required to have headlamp lens cleaning systems and automatic beam levelling control.
We provide HID bulbs from Ring Automotive, which are of Original Equipment standard and come with a 3-year guarantee.
Are HID bulbs better than regular bulbs and LEDs?
It really depends on personal preference when it comes to which lights are better, as well as the specific requirements of your car and your driving needs. HID headlights are usually brighter and more cost-effective in the short term. LED headlights are energy-efficient, last longer, and require less maintenance.
As mentioned above, if your car has regular headlights, you cannot convert them to HIDs, so it really comes down to the point of purchase as to whether you find HIDs better or not.
Xenon HID Technology
Unlike conventional auto bulbs, HID bulbs have no filaments which are susceptible to vibration. Instead, HID bulbs feature a sealed glass capsule of xenon gas. Two metal electrodes within the bulb allow a high voltage to arc across, igniting the xenon gas which produces the light.
The start-up voltage required to ignite the gas is typically 26,000 volts. While it is perfectly safe to change HID bulbs by following simple step-by-step guides, if the prospect of working with around 26,000 volts is daunting, pop into your local Kwik fit centre where our trained technicians will change them for you.
Xenon HID bulbs, or metal-halide lamps, may appear bluer than usual lights, but are still legal within certain limits. Blue bulbs are fine for off-road use but other colours are likely to get your pulled over. This all adds to the complexity of HID lights, so it’s recommended to come to a professional to get the right, road-legal lights for your car.
At Kwik Fit we recommend and stock replacement HID bulbs from Ring. Ring is a leading European lighting brand, producing high-quality vehicle lighting solutions for over 40 years. HID bulbs from Ring are of Original Equipment standard and come with a 3-year guarantee. Plus, with significant savings over the average dealership fitting price, at Kwik Fit we’ll have you back on the road quickly and for less.
Please note: We advise replacing your HID bulbs in pairs to ensure an even colour match.
Find your nearest centre to get your HID lights fitted by a trained professional.