London, 27th October 2025 – As the clocks change and the nights draw in, new research from eBay, the UK’s leading online marketplace for vehicle parts and accessories, reveals that a worrying number of British drivers are misusing their vehicle lights—and risking fines as a result.
According to the study, nearly two-thirds of UK motorists (60%) don’t know the correct way to use fog lights. DVSA guidance states that fog lights should only be used when visibility drops below 100 metres, yet over 13% of drivers admitted to switching them on when visibility is below 300 metres—potentially putting themselves at risk of a £50 on-the-spot fine.
The survey also highlighted gaps in routine maintenance. While 15% of drivers check their fog lights monthly, almost a quarter (24%) never check them, instead relying on the annual MOT test. Drivers caught with faulty lights can face a fixed penalty of £50 or, in more serious cases, up to £1,000 and three penalty points.
It’s not just fog lights that are causing trouble. Nearly half of British drivers (48%) use their full-beam headlights indiscriminately after dark, despite the risk of dazzling oncoming traffic. Motorists found guilty of misusing headlights may be charged with ‘Driving Without Due Care and Attention’, which carries a £100 fine and three penalty points.
Replacing bulbs can also be a source of anxiety. One in five Brits admitted feeling uncomfortable sourcing replacement headlight bulbs. eBay is addressing this issue with its My Garage function, which allows users to input their car registration or make and model. This ensures only compatible parts and accessories are displayed, giving drivers confidence to purchase the correct items—whatever their level of automotive knowledge.
“Shorter days mean more journeys in the dark, and it’s vital that drivers understand when and how to use their vehicle lights,” said Abir Tewari, UK Director of Commercial Operations, Parts & Accessories at eBay. “At eBay, our My Garage and Assured Fit features empower motorists to carry out essential maintenance safely and accurately, helping prevent fines and ensuring road safety.”
MOT data from June 2024 to June 2025 shows that lamp failures remain a common cause of vehicle test failures. Out of over 4.5 million failures linked to ‘lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment’, more than 4.3 million were related specifically to lamps. Common issues included non-working position lamps (767,167 failures), stop lamps (489,953), and headlamp aim problems (470,058). Front and rear fog lamp failures alone accounted for 31,488 MOT failures, underscoring how even small issues can have big consequences.
eBay’s search data reveals the most commonly sought bulb types are H7, followed by H4 and HB3. Among headlights, the classic MINI tops searches, followed by Lambretta scooters and Land Rovers. For fog lights, the classic MINI again leads the way, with Renault 5 GT Turbo and Vauxhall Astra GTE following.
To help drivers prepare for the darker months ahead, eBay is offering 20% off selected bulb and lighting products as part of its ‘Vehicle Essentials’ promotion, running from 27 October to 7 November. More details can be found here.
As the nights get longer and the roads darker, ensuring your lights are used correctly—and work properly—has never been more important.
