With a variety of tints being available for your vehicle’s headlights, smoked headlights provide a sleek option, but are smoked headlights legal?
Of course, before going forward with any customisation option, you should know if it is legal or not. However, in some cases like tinting, there is a threshold that determines the legality, which we will explore in this blog.
At Car Specialist Customs, we are proud to offer a wide variety of options when it comes to making your car a unique expression of who you are. We are excited to share with you the option of our headlight tinting option.
The UK automotive aftermarket industry is thriving, ranking fourth in Europe and ninth in the world in terms of size, and turning over an annual £21.1 billion.
The sector supports 345,600 jobs and contributes £12.2 billion each year to the economy. And it is growing: the sector’s value is set to rise to £28 billion by 2022.
The importance of headlights
Headlights are important as they allow you to navigate the roads safely in the night or in dim/dark conditions. This is equally important for pedestrians, as your car light may be the first thing they see at a distance that can make them aware of your presence.
Similarly, your cars backlights have an important function to inform other road users that you are slowing down, giving them enough notice to adjust their speed.
What is headlight tinting?
Headlight tinting is the process of applying a specialised film on the surface of a vehicle’s headlight or rear lights, this process results in a variety of benefits including:
- Adds a refined aesthetic to your car
- Can help reduce glare from your headlights
- In the event of a crash, the adhesive may prevent the glass from shattering everywhere.
You can buy tinting film online or through a service that specialises in car customisation, we recommend the latter as there is less room for mistakes when dealing with experts like us.
Effects of cheap tinting
If you buy a low-quality tint film, then it may be more prone to bubbling, cracking, fading or peeling. Our tints are guaranteed to be top quality, with varying options in strength, with installation directly from us.
For peace of mind, with no reduction in quality and application, we are the superior option for any and all of your tinting needs, whether that is a window or light tinting! Our services are always done to the legal requirement so you don’t have to worry.
Simply get in touch with us to organise your tinting.
What is a smoked headlight?
A smoked headlight refers to a style of tint that can come in shades of grey, creating a smoky look for your vehicle’s lights. Not everyone provides these shades, however, we at Car Specialist Customs do.
Good vs bad headlight tints
Sadly, there are instances where a bad headlight tint is made out to be good. So we are here to tell you exactly what makes a good, and bad headlight tint.
A good headlight tint looks like…
- Fully covered the headlights, without overlapping or underlapping any areas, it is cut clearly.
- Light can still pass through it.
- It does not compromise any part of the vehicle that it neighbours.
A bad headlight tint looks like…
- Overlapping or underlapping the headlight
- Bubbles are between the light and the tint
- The tint is peeling
- The tint isn’t properly stuck on
- There is a severe lack of light able to pass from your headlights/break lights.
Are smoked headlights legal?
Smoked headlights are legal as long as they follow the legal rulings, in which light tints should be no more powerful than 50%. As we highlighted earlier, ‘smoked headlights’ refer to a tinting style of headlight that has a grey or smoky look over the lights.
Do smoked headlights reduce visibility?
Again, this is subject to the percentage of tint that is applied to the headlight, anything over 50% will have a noticeable reduction in visibility, which defeats the point of having the headlights, whilst also putting yourself, other road users, and pedestrians in danger.
What can happen if my tint is too dark?
Aside from a reduction in visibility, you may also be more difficult to spot by other road users, putting you all in danger. In regard to legal proceedings, you may be fined, given points on your licence and made to remove the illegal tint before continuing your journey.
We at Car Specialist Customs provide tinting for your vehicle windows too, and rest assured, all of our services follow the legal requirements given to us by the government. So no matter what you choose to get, we will always tell you if it is legal or not. And if it is legal, we install it to the highest standard.
Who can install smoked headlights?
Car Specialist Customs offer headlight tinting as one of our customisation options, in which we assess and install the tint, here is our process.
Our tinting process is as follows:
- We analyse the space you would like to be tinted
- We make the necessary adjustments to our tinting films so application is smooth and hassle-free
- We apply the tinting & make sure there are no mistakes.
- We will then guide you in regard to the maintenance of the tinting.
Contact us, and get your quote for a tint.
Can I get other tints?
Yes! Below are our alternative tinting options (both are for windows)
Chameleon tints:
Chameleon tints are a vibrant and unique option in customising your car, the dynamic properties of the films give a ‘Chameleon’ effect to the windscreen resulting in an array of colours that changes as the day does.
This particular tint retains the original benefits that come with a standard window tint. With options in aqua blue, Cadbury purple and sunset orange, take a look for yourself on our site.
Window tinting:
Essentially the same thing as a chameleon tint, just without all the vibrant colours. Click here to take a look through the options and strengths that we provide for our tints.
Purchase smoked headlights today
Our team members at Car Specialist Customs are extremely passionate and proud of the multiple services and products we provide for the people of Greater Manchester and beyond.
As a fully insured and approved installer, catering to the needs of vehicle owners of Greater Manchester and beyond, we are proud to let you know that we offer services for the following:
Personalisation:
Protection/Security:
Featuring the brands, Pandora, ScorpionTrak, Meta Trak & SmarTrack, we’ve included affordable, and premium products to suit the needs of our customers. With finance options available, and the option of installation, head to our website to get your quote!
We always will go above expectations to make your car feel special to you. With even more services and options becoming available in the future, Car Specialist Customs is the home of making any car unique, secure and special.
See what we can do for you today, we hope our highlighted services has helped you decide to take a step forward in personalising your vehicle with our unique service.
We hope to have answered the question ‘Are smoked headlights legal?’ whilst also providing supplementary information that can help you make an informed choice when it comes to investing in customisation options for your vehicle.
Want to get in touch? You can find us right here:
WORKSHOP:
Unit 30
Caldershaw Centre
Ings Ln
Rochdale
OL12 7LQ
OPENING TIMES:
Monday – Wednesday – 10 AM – 7 PM
Thursday – Closed
Friday – Sunday – 11 AM – 7 PM
TELEPHONE:
07523 971347 (Mon – Fri: 8:30 am – 6:00 pm)
EMAIL:
info@carspecialistcustoms.co.uk