Moisture in the headlight, what should you do?

Nina Geuskens
13 sep 2022

Moisture in the headlight is a problem of all times. In the past, the problem was less noticeable due to those old, glass headlights. In modern cars with plastic headlights, condensation in the headlight is visible much more quickly. Is it bad if condensation starts to form in the headlights of your car? Can moisture in the headlights prevent your car from passing the MOT? And if so, what can you do to fix the moisture in the headlight? You can read it in this blog.

How does moisture form in the headlight?

Inside your headlight there are hot and cool spots. The hot spots are where the glass is heated by the lights or the engine and the cool spots are where the wind cools the lights. Due to the large temperature differences, but also due to the humidity and pressure, condensation can form on the inside of your headlight. When the light of the headlights is turned off, air is sucked in from outside. This air contains water vapour, which causes the headlights to fog up.

Can moisture in the headlight be harmful?

If there is moisture in the headlight, the red light of the headlights can be less visible to other road users. This can cause dangerous situations on the road. It is therefore very important to find a solution for moisture in the headlight as soon as possible.

Will a car with moisture in the headlight pass its MOT?

If the condensation in the headlight disrupts the light pattern, then there is a good chance that your car will fail the inspection. A good garage checks all the important requirements for the lighting during the MOT inspection. The headlight must be moisture-proof and may not distort the light pattern. If there is moisture in the headlight, you will most likely have to pay a lot to pass the inspection.

Moisture in the headlight

How can I fix moisture in the headlight?

It is not always possible to fix moisture in a headlight yourself, but there are a number of things you can try before you go to the garage. We list the possibilities for you:

Dry the inside of the housing yourself

The first solution is to disassemble the headlight housing and dry the inside of the housing. Then you can put the housing back on the car. However, this is only a temporary solution, because the condensation will simply return after a while. And nobody wants to perform this ritual every day.

Drill a hole

Another solution to fix moisture in the headlight is to drill a hole in the housing of the lamp. By drilling a small hole in the housing behind the reflector of the lamp, the water can drain away instead of condensing. This is an easy way to remove moisture in a headlight yourself. Moreover, it is also a long-term solution.

Check if there is a ventilation hole

Before you start drilling a hole, it is also smart to check whether the headlights and taillights already have a ventilation hole (with corresponding rubber hose). If so, this ventilation hole is probably clogged, which prevents the condensation water from being drained properly.

Place the dehumidifier/moisture absorber at the back of the lamp

You've probably heard of those moisture absorbing bags that you can place in your shoes and that absorb odors and moisture from your shoes. These are also called dehumidifiers or moisture absorbers. You can use these bags well to get rid of the moisture in your headlamp. Place the bags at the back of your lamp (so behind the cover plate) and you should be rid of the condensation problem within a few days.

Along the garage

If the problem is still not solved with the above tips, we still recommend that you visit a good garage. They will ensure that the moisture in the headlight is removed and that you can safely get back on the road. If you still need transport while your car is at the garage? Then you can go to Adrem Autoverhuur. Whether you have a want to rent a car in Heerlenin Maastricht, Sittard or anywhere else in Limburg – we are here for you.

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