How Much Does it Cost to Replace a Broken Tail Light?


Written by:  Howmuchisit.org Staff

Replacing a broken tail light can refer to either fixing a broken light, or it can refer to repairing the electrical wiring that makes the light work.

When your car has a broken tail light, you risk the chance of a citation and an accident since other drivers won’t realize when your car is slowing down.

Tail Lights On by Phil_Parker, on Flickr
Tail Lights On” (CC BY 2.0) by  Phil_Parker

How much does it cost to replace a broken tail light?

The tail light part alone can cost around $15 to $180, depending on the car you drive, and this price won’t include the professional labor rates.  Most people will be capable of replacing this part themselves and will usually need no professional help.  If you are just replacing the bulb, plan on spending less than $35, but if you have to replace the whole light assembly, including the tail light cover, then it can cost upwards of $100 to $300.  Again, this won’t include the professional labor fees if you wanted to hire a professional to complete the job.

If you were to hire a mechanic, the costs will depend on the situation.  Again, if you just need to replace the bulb, but regardless of the circumstances, plan on spending anywhere from $140 to $250 to fix a broken tail light.

YourMechanic.com says you should be prepared to spend anywhere from $141 to $208 if you were to use their search engine.

Factors that affect the cost

Make and model

The make and model of your car will determine the parts that are needed, and with any car part, the costs will be all over the place.

Brand

An OEM part will always be more than a third-party part found online or at a local auto parts store.

Mechanic

A local mechanic, most of the time, will be cheaper than the local dealership.  The costs will depend on your geographical location and the reputation of the shop.

Broken tail light overview

The tail light replacement will include the bulb and may also include the tail lamp assembly if needed.

During the repair, the tail light guard or cover will be removed, usually by the multiple screws on the back of the unit.  The tail light cover will then be pried loose off its seal in order to access the tail lights inside.  Once the mechanic has access to the lights, the housing and wires will be inspected to make sure it isn’t the culprit.   If the bulb is the issue, then the bulb will be simply replaced and the cover will be installed in reverse order.

What are the extra costs?

If other parts are broken, such as the taillight cover, you may have to budget for those additional costs.

A damaged tail light can often lead to parts around it to become damaged, especially if it were in an accident.  For instance, if the bumper has slight damage, then this may have to be replaced or touched up to make it look like new again.

How can I save money?

Even if you don’t have a lot of experience working with cars, highly consider doing this job on your own as it’s a lot easier than you think.  Simply search for your car’s make and model on YouTube or Google, followed by “tail light replacement” to find specific how-to guides.

Avoid the dealer.  Most dealers often charge 50% more than the local mechanic shop.

Consider checking out the local junk yard.  You would be amazed at what kind of parts you can find for next to nothing.  If you’re not comfortable with the junk yard, consider looking on Amazon.com or eBay for third party options.

If you do not know how to replace the light yourself, ask a friend or neighbor for help instead of taking it straight to a repair shop.


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Average Reported Cost: $1000

100 %
0 %
Less Expensive $1 $1.5K $3K $5K $6.5K More Expensive $8k

How much did you spend?

Was it worth it?  

  1. Robert E. (Kalispell,  Montana) paid $1000 and said:

    My insurance provider paid $1,000.

    Was it worth it? Yes

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