The Honda Civic is everywhere in Quebec. It's one of the best-selling vehicles year after year. And it's also one of the models we see most often for headlight restoration. Civics from 2016-2021 are particularly affected. Here's what to expect if you own one.
Why Civic Headlights Turn Yellow
Same reason as every other vehicle: polycarbonate and UV rays. Civics have nothing special going on there. The plastic is the same as on most modern cars. If you want to understand the process in detail, we explain it in our article on the causes of yellowing.
What makes the Civic unique is that its headlights have a relatively large, flat surface, especially on the 2016-2021 generations (10th generation). The headlight shape exposes a lot of surface area to UV rays. And since it's a popular car with young drivers and families, it's often parked outside rather than in a garage.
The Cost of Replacement on a Civic
Replacing both headlights on a Honda Civic runs between $300 and $600 for the parts (depending on whether you go OEM or aftermarket) plus $100-150 in labor. Total: $400-750 for new headlights that'll turn yellow again in 3-5 years.
Professional restoration with ceramic coating costs a fraction of that and lasts 2-3 years. We do a full comparison in our article on restoration vs replacement.
Restoration Results
On a Civic, restoration generally gives excellent results. Honda headlights respond really well to the treatment. The oxidation is usually just on the surface, and the polycarbonate underneath is in good shape. After sanding and polishing, the difference is striking. Headlights go from milky yellow to crystal clear in under 45 minutes.
It's one of those cars where the before and after is most satisfying. Because Civic headlights take up so much visual real estate on the front of the car, the difference jumps right out at you. It looks like a car that's 5 years newer.
How Long It Lasts
With ceramic coating, expect 2-3 years before yellowing starts again. If you park in a garage, possibly longer. Without ceramic protection, yellowing comes back in 3-6 months. We explain why in our article on ceramic coating.
Got a Civic with headlights that look rough? Book an appointment at leroidesphares.ca. We come to you in Montreal and on the South Shore, and we'll have it done in 45 minutes.
