| Headlight Restoration | Full Replacement | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | From 100 KM | Several times more, especially on LED/xenon assemblies |
| Time | Same day, a couple of hours | Requires ordering the part, plus installation |
| Guarantee | 5 years on clarity | Manufacturer warranty (varies) |
| What it fixes | Yellowing, cloudiness, surface oxidation | Everything, including cracks or internal moisture |
| Best for | Cosmetic oxidation on an otherwise intact lens | Physically damaged or internally failed housings |
Recommendation for Sarajevo
Headlight yellowing is driven almost entirely by UV exposure, and Sarajevo's summer sun is intense enough that most vehicles show noticeable oxidation within 3-4 years. A UV-resistant sealant applied after restoration is what actually determines how long the clarity holds, not the polishing itself. Winter road grime and salt film can also make headlights look hazy from the outside when they just need a wash first, so a quick check before assuming restoration is needed can save you the cost entirely.
Why restoration costs so much less than replacement
Restoration is labour and product cost on a lens that's already there: wet sanding, machine polishing, and a UV sealant. Replacement means sourcing an entire headlight assembly, which on modern vehicles often includes integrated LED or xenon modules, sensors, and wiring, then fitting it. The part alone frequently costs many times more than a full restoration, before installation is even factored in.
What determines the restoration price
Whether one or both headlights need work is the first factor, since oxidation often isn't even between the two sides depending on which one faces more direct sun. The severity of the oxidation matters too: light haze needs fewer sanding stages than deep, years-old yellowing, which takes longer to fully clear. We inspect both lenses and give a clear price before starting.
Fix it now or wait? What delaying costs you
Light haze today is the cheapest version of this job you'll ever be quoted. Oxidation gets worse the longer it sits, and a lens that's only starting to yellow needs far less sanding to fully clear than the same lens a year or two further into UV exposure. There's no version of this where waiting saves you money: it just adds sanding stages and time to the job.
When restoration isn't enough
Restoration fixes the outer surface of the lens. It doesn't help if the lens itself is physically cracked, if a mounting tab is broken, or if the housing seal has failed and let moisture in behind the lens, that shows up as fogging or water droplets on the inside that no amount of surface polishing will reach. In those cases replacement or a reseal is the honest answer, and we'll tell you plainly if that's what your car needs instead of restoring a headlight that won't hold the result.
Get a free 2-minute photo assessment: send us a photo of your headlights on WhatsApp and we'll tell you honestly what they need.
Get a QuoteFrequently Asked Questions
How long does headlight restoration take?
Same day, typically a few hours per vehicle depending on how many headlights need work and how severe the oxidation is. It's quicker than a full detail.
Is headlight restoration guaranteed?
Yes. Every restoration is backed by a 5-year clarity guarantee: if it starts oxidizing again within 5 years under normal conditions, we redo it at no charge. It doesn't cover new physical damage like a fresh stone chip or crack, just the clarity work holding up.
Will restoration work on badly yellowed headlights?
In almost all cases, yes, as long as the lens itself is physically intact. Multi-stage wet sanding handles even heavy, years-old yellowing. The only real exception is a cracked lens or a failed internal seal, which restoration can't fix.
How often do headlights need to be restored again?
It depends on UV exposure and whether the sealant is maintained. Most vehicles hold clarity for a good while with a properly applied UV sealant; without one, bare polycarbonate starts oxidizing again within months.
Is restoration or replacement better for an older car?
Restoration almost always makes more financial sense unless the housing itself is physically damaged, since it costs a fraction of replacement and achieves comparable clarity. We inspect the lens and tell you honestly which applies.
Selman
Selmo Garage Sarajevo
Message on WhatsApp
Message on Viber
