How to replace / upgrade headlight bulbs on 1996-2002 Mercedes-Benz E Class W210

This guide will help you replace your headlight assembly’s low or high-beam light bulbs. Replacing the light bulb on a Mercedes-Benz E-Class is easy. If one of your light bulbs has burned out, you will get a warning on your instrument cluster stating “LAMP DEFECTIVE.” Follow the instructions below to replace the light bulbs on Mercedes-Benz models: E320 E430, and E420 E55, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, and 2002. The W210 E-Class uses an H7 light bulb type for both the low and high beams. You can use this opportunity to upgrade the light bulbs with brighter HID light bulbs; see note below.

WHAT YOU NEED

Replacement Light Bulb H7 Buy on Amazon

NOTE: You could upgrade the light bulbs with HID bulbs by installing a conversion kit. If you decide to go this route, you should look for aftermarket H7 HID bulbs that are also error-free. Otherwise, you will get Lamp Defective Warning on your Instrument Cluster.

Here are a few H7 HID Error Free light bulbs on Amazon that will work with W210 and will not give the “LAMP DEFECTIVE” error.

How to change the headlight bulb on a Mercedes-Benz W210

Open the hood by pulling the hood release located under the dash on the driver’s side.
Pull the hood catch and lift the hood.
Locate the back of the headlight.
Remove the plastic cover from the back of the headlight assembly. There are two back cover types. The one shown in the picture below is where you need to push out the metal clips. There is also the round cap that you twist counterclockwise to remove.
Remove the light bulb from the socket by twisting it a few degrees.
Install the new light bulb and reinstall it in reverse order. If you are installing an HID H7 Upgrade Error Free Conversion Kit, you may need to drill holes in the back cover.