What does a brake light bulb do?

A brake light bulb is responsible for lighting up your brake lights when you apply the brake pedal. They are a crucial safety feature of your car, letting the people behind you know in plenty of time when you’re about to slow down. It’s a good idea to regularly check that all your brake lights are clearly visible and in good working order.

Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz is a German global car manufacturer and a division of Daimler AG. They were established over 100 years ago in 1926 and have grown to be the biggest selling premium vehicle brand in the world.

How popular is Mercedes in the United Kingdom?

The number of Mercedes cars on the road in the UK continues to rise, reaching 1.9million by the final quarter of 2018. There are almost 5 times as many Mercedes cars on the road as there were in 1995, showing just how popular this marque has grown to be.

Helping these powerful statistics on their way, the Mercedes A-Class was announced as the 8th best selling car in the UK in 2018. The premium family hatchback is vying for position against the ever-popular VW Golf—the current leader in this class.

Premium executive models of every shape and size

Mercedes deliver hatchbacks, saloons, estates and coupés at every size from their A- to E-Class ranges, as well as executive SUVs, the V-Class MPV, and of course, a more than desirable selection of convertibles and roadsters.

With prices rising to well over £100k, Mercedes cars are a great contender as the executive car of choice.

Mercedes-Benz: Giants of Formula One

Mercedes has always been a keen player within the F1 championship, taking their first 2 titles back in 1954 and 1955. Through the 1990s they joined forces with McLaren as an engine provider and part owner, bringing titles for both Mika Häkkinen and Lewis Hamilton and a constructors championship in 1988.

Their current and outright domination of the sport began in 2014, as a team in their own right, it has featured 5 straight constructors titles, with Lewis Hamilton taking 4 world championships and Nico Rosberg taking the other in 2016.

How often should brake light bulbs need replacing?

As with any car part, the quality of the bulb and how often it is used will determine how often the bulb needs to be replaced. Some bulbs can last for up to five or six years (traditional, incandescent bulbs). However, more modern LED bulbs have a life expectancy of around 12 years. Another factor that can affect the life of the vehicle is the amount of voltage running through the wiring. The higher the voltage, the shorter the lifespan of the bulb.

The law, vehicle regulations and your MOT

As they are an important safety feature, your brake lights will be checked during your MOT. If your lights are found to be faulty or completely broken, your car will fail its MOT. To avoid this unnecessary cost you should regularly check your brake lights and replace them whenever necessary.

What causes a brake light bulb to break?

Brake light bulbs can break for a variety of reasons. For example, because of a blown fuse, if water has seeped into the light or over time they can simply wear out. The most important thing is that you replace the bulbs as soon as possible as it can be very dangerous to drive without them.

What are the signs of a bad brake light bulb?

Usually, there a few signs you can look for:

• If your brake lights no longer light up at all when you apply the brakes

• If your brakes lights are dimmer than usual

• Slow responding bulbs

How often should you replace your brake light bulb?

As with any car part it depends on the quality of the bulb and how often it is used. Some bulbs can last for up to five or six years (traditional, incandescent bulbs). However, more modern LED bulbs have a life expectancy of around 12 years. Another factor that can affect the life of the vehicle is the amount of voltage running through the wiring. The higher the voltage, the shorter the lifespan of the bulb.

What happens during a brake light bulb replacement?

During the repair our certified mechanics will:

• Check your brake lights to see which bulbs need replacing

• They will remove the cover to access the bulb(s)

• They will then replace all the faulty bulbs, ensuring they have the correct bulbs for your make and model

• They will reattach the cover and test the new bulbs by applying the brakes

What is the average life of a brake light bulb?

Traditional bulbs will last for around five or six years, whereas more modern LED bulbs will last around 12 years.

Can you drive with a broken or missing brake light bulb?

No, you should drive with a broken brake light bulb. This can be very dangerous for you and for other road users as they will not be aware when you are stopping. This could lead to accidents and damage to your vehicle.