Nearly two-thirds of motorists risk being left in the dark

• Nearly two-thirds of motorists (64%) risk being left in the dark this winter, by failing to carry spare headlight bulbs with them according to eBay research

• Survey findings revealed that 18% of drivers risked receiving a £100 on-the-spot fine by waiting between one and two weeks before changing a blown bulb

• According to eBay sales data, January is the most popular month for headlight bulb sales. Find the right bulb for your car here: MyGarage

Research from eBay UK has revealed how 64% of drivers risk a £100 fine by failing to carry spare headlamp bulbs with them – with 18% of drivers admitting to waiting between one and two weeks before changing a blown headlight*. 

Getting caught driving in the dark with a broken bulb is a safety risk, and also puts drivers at risk of receiving a £100 fixed penalty notice fine – a figure that could rise to £1,000 if challenged in court.  

With the clocks changing on Sunday 29th October, drivers will face significantly darker and potentially more dangerous commutes in the months ahead.

Despite the importance of carrying spare headlight bulbs, 64% of those surveyed failed to carry them in their vehicles. This omission, although perfectly legal, puts them at risk of running into problems when their headlight bulbs fail, especially during darker months. 

Laura Richards, Category Lead, Vehicle Parts and Accessories at eBay UK Ltd, said: “Our statistics highlight the need for drivers to keep spare headlight bulbs to hand. With only one headlight working, visibility will be reduced which could have serious consequences as we enter darker months – especially when driving in rural areas with unlit roads.

“Last year, we experienced spikes in demand for replacement bulbs in November and January. We recommend motorists carry a set of spare bulbs in the glove box, so they’re not caught out and, with eBay’s MyGarage registration look-up technology, finding the right bulbs for your car couldn’t be simpler.”

 Motorists can easily purchase replacement headlight bulbs from eBay by entering their vehicle information using eBay’s newly enhanced MyGarage function, which allows customers to find the right vehicle parts with confidence using their car registration. As part of its Assured Fit promise, when shoppers purchase an eligible part or accessory, they can be sure it will fit their vehicle. If, for any reason, it isn’t the right part upon arrival, they can return it for free within 30 days for a full refund.