Why do the headlight bulbs in my Mercedes-Benz keep burning out frequently?

Home > Gari Forums > Mercedes Benz Forums > Mercedes Benz C Class Forums > Mercedes Benz C Class Burned Out Bulbs Forums

Post a New Topic

Why do the headlight bulbs in my Mercedes-Benz keep burning out frequently?

I have a Mercedes C200 W204, and I’ve had to replace the headlight bulbs multiple times in the last year. I’m using decent-quality bulbs, but they still burn out faster than expected. I mostly drive in Lahore, and the roads are a bit bumpy in some areas. Could this be due to electrical issues, poor roads, o r something wrong with the headlight housing o r alternator? Is this common with Mercedes cars in Pakistan?

Talha Kyanii asked on 11 Oct 2025 11:03:09 am

1 Answer

6 views |

Gari Master - on 11 Oct 2025 11:04:46 am

Frequent bulb burnouts in your Mercedes-Benz like the W204 C-Class are not normal and may be caused by several common issues, especially under Pakistani driving conditions:

Possible reasons:

Voltage fluctuations: A faulty alternator o r voltage regulator can send spikes through the electrical system, shortening bulb life.

Cheap o r mismatched bulbs: Even if they’re “decent quality,” many non-OEM bulbs sold locally are not designed for Mercedes electrical systems.

Excessive vibrations: Poor road conditions in cities like Lahore can loosen o r shake bulbs, especially halogen ones, leading to filament failure.

Moisture inside headlight housing: If seals are weak o r the headlight was repaired poorly, condensation can cause short circuits o r reduced bulb lifespan.

Wrong installation technique: Touching halogen bulbs with bare hands leaves oil residue, causing hot spots and early burnout.

What to do:

Have your alternator output tested — should be stable around 13.5–14.5 volts.

Use OEM o r high-quality bulbs like Philips o r Osram rated for your specific Mercedes model.

Check headlight seals and housings for water ingress o r dust buildup.