VW Golf Headlight Lens Replacement (Mk4 to Mk7)
VW Golf headlight lens replacement gives a clouded, crazed or cracked Golf headlight a new outer lens while the unit itself stays on your car. It suits every generation from the Mk4 to the Mk7, and the xenon and LED parts behind the lens can be seen to at the same time.
How a Golf lens is changed
The headlight is warmed until the sealant gives, the old lens is lifted off and the channel is cleaned back to bare plastic. The new lens is then pressed into fresh sealant and the unit is left to cure.
Projectors, reflectors and wiring stay where they are. Nothing is polished; a worn lens is replaced, because polishing a breaking-down surface only brings the haze back later.
Generation by generation
- Mk4: a xenon unit this old may need a ballast or igniter as well as a lens, and both can be dealt with in one visit.
- Mk5: lenses yellow and craze; a new lens restores a clean beam.
- Mk6: lens damage from stones and age, and water where the seal has aged.
- Mk7: stone-cracked and scratched lenses on xenon and LED units, with LED running lights on many cars.
- Generations covered
- Mk4, Mk5, Mk6, Mk7 (including GTI, GTD and estate)
- Headlight types
- Halogen, xenon, LED
- Common faults
- Lens crazed or cracked, xenon side dark, running light faded
Mk4 xenon: when one side goes dark
If the dipped beam on a Mk4 xenon headlight has died and a new bulb does not bring it back, the ballast or igniter has usually failed. That part is replaced with a new one; it is not repaired.
Running lights on the Mk7
A Mk7 running light that has dimmed, yellowed or gone out is fixed by renewing its board or light guide inside the unit. The parts are described on LED Headlight Repair.
Golf lens questions
My Golf has halogen headlights. Is a new lens worth it?
Usually a new halogen unit is the cheaper way out, and you will be told that plainly. If you would rather keep the original, it can still be done.
How do I know which Golf generation I have?
The year of registration narrows it down, and a photo of the front settles it.
More VW models on Volkswagen Headlight Repair. Your Golf's turnaround is confirmed in your quote.
Send your Golf headlight details
Start with a close-up of the damaged lens and which generation or year your Golf is.
Send the details, get a price back
Say which car it is and what the headlight is doing, add a couple of photos, and your quote arrives by email. Nothing has to come off the car until you have agreed to it.