How to Replace Mercedes-Benz Tail Lights
You can replace a broken Mercedes-Benz tail light at home.
Written by Nick Kunze
Reviewed by Melanie Reiff
Replacing your Mercedes-Benz tail light is crucial if it has broken, burned out, or is no longer working. If the problem lies with the tail light itself, you should be able to fix it at home without too much effort.
Your Mercedes-Benz tail light keeps other drivers aware of your presence when you’re on the road. Plus, driving without working tail lights is illegal and can lead to a ticket from law enforcement. If you notice one or both of your tail lights are not working or malfunctioning, be sure to address the issue as soon as possible.
Car repair
expert Jerry
created this helpful guide to replacing your Mercedes-Benz tail lights. You can learn how to do it, when to do it, and what might be causing the issue. Plus, learn if you can get the repairs covered by your Mercedes-Benz car insurance
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How to replace a Mercedes-Benz tail light
Cost: $80 to $160
Time: 10 to 15 minutes
Tools needed: Safety glasses, gloves, Philips head screwdriver, replacement parts
Difficulty: Easy
If your Mercedes-Benz tail light is out, the first thing to do is try and diagnose the issue. Just replacing the bulb will not always solve the problem.
If one tail light is noticeably broken or just one tail light is not turning on, then the most likely culprit is the bulb. In these instances, replacing the tail light bulb should solve your problem.
If both tail lights go out at once or the brake lights are also impacted, there may be a deeper issue. If this happens, consider heading to a mechanic to check for an electrical failure or other, more serious issue.
For recent Mercedes-Benz models, you’re dealing with an LED light inside the taillight, not a single bulb. That means you’ll need to replace the whole tail light, not just screw in a new bulb.
Here’s how to replace a Mercedes-Benz tail light:
- For safety’s sake, disconnect the battery and turn off the engine.
- Open the trunk and remove the interior trim.
- Unscrew the bottom two flange nuts holding the tail light in place.
- Disconnect the wires attached to the tail light.
- Unscrew the top two flange nuts.
- You can now fully remove the faulty tail light.
- Screw in and connect the wires to your new tail light.
With that done, your tail light should be back in working order!
For older models, you can replace just the bulb, not the entire tail light.
Key Takeaway You can replace your Mercedes-Benz tail light at home with the right equipment and a little patience.
Commons reasons for Mercedes-Benz tail light malfunctions
There are a surprisingly high number of reasons for your Mercedes-Benz tail light to malfunction. Here are a few potential causes:
- Dead light: If the LED light or bulb has burned out or been damaged in an accident, the tail light will stop working.
- Faulty wiring or fuses: The problem may also be electrical. Faulty wiring or blown fuses can cause your tail lights to malfunction. If multiple lights are not working or replacing the light itself is not helping, this is a likely cause.
- Damaged socket: For older Mercedes-Benz models, the bulb socket may have become damaged. Look for discoloration or a build-up of corrosion on the socket.
- Broken control switch: The issue may be at the opposite end of the car with the control switch. This means the lights are working fine, they just don’t know when to turn on.
Does car insurance cover broken tail lights?
Collision coverage
would pay for your repairs if your tail light was damaged in a crash, either with another vehicle or an immobile object. Comprehensive coverage
would pay for your tail light if the damage was caused by several other issues like theft, vandalism, weather, or an animal. If the tail light breaks due to age or wear and tear, it would never be covered.That said, even if you’re covered, you might not want to claim the damage.
A tail light replacement is likely a simple, inexpensive repair. A tail light repair is unlikely to hit the average insurance deductible of $500, meaning the claim wouldn’t save you any money. Plus, insurance claims can raise your premiums, so you’d pay more in the long run.
Unless the tail light replacement is one of many necessary repairs, you should consider paying for this out-of-pocket instead of going through your provider.
How to find affordable Mercedes-Benz insurance
Whether you have an
E 320
, C 230
, or S 550
, every Mercedes-Benz owner needs good car insurance
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How much does it cost to replace a Mercedes-Benz tail light?
If you plan to head to the Mercedes-Benz dealership or a mechanic, you’re likely to spend between $80 and $160. If you’re planning to do the repairs at home, the only cost will be the light itself.
Can you replace tail lights yourself?
Yes! If the issue is with the tail light itself and you are feeling handy, you should be able to replace your Mercedes-Benz tail light at home!
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