I replaced both of the H7 headlight bulbs on my Mk2 within a few weeks of each other in late 2022.

As far as I know, the failed ones were the GE branded factory originals, as they were marked with Ford part numbers.

As the car was built in October 2005, these would have been 17 years old.

I replaced both with Lucas ones from my usual motor factors. These have both failed again in the last few weeks.

They also cost £3.60 each back then. They are now charging £7.89 each. I told them I wouldn't be buying these.

I replaced them with cheap Eurolec ones that I had, which probably won't last long.

Are there any you can buy which will last as long as the originals?

The ebay official Ford store lists genuine philips ones for £13 each. Has anyone here fitted these? Are they worth the price?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/393525324938

 

I use mainly philips and osram. Can't remember any failed philips in a last 10 years. Osram didn't last as long but light output is good. While ago I bought  GE some special ones, around £40 for 2, month late I chucked them in a bin. 

Can't go wrong with philips. 

I bought these and they lasted just over a year.

I then bought these and they have been working 18 months now so far...

There's no definitive 'good' bulb, just as there is no definitive 'good' tire. Everyone will have their own, and usually different opinion.

Thanks for the replies. Tesco of all places sells Osram ones for £5 each so I will probably go with them.

I have read before that the white look filament bulbs cost more and fail sooner than the regular type.

The fact that you can in theory be given an MOT fail or even a fine and points puts me off LEDs.

 

There used to be a running joke about Mk2 Focus's blowing headlight bulbs when I bought my first one in 2014.  I'd be very surprised if yours did last 17 years.

The Ford ones are now made by Phillips.  (But not 'improved' or 'whitened' at all).

I bought a set of Phillips WhiteVision for my Golf in 2018.  They still work now.

9 minutes ago, TomsFocus said:

I bought a set of Phillips WhiteVision for my Golf in 2018.  They still work now.

Odd that mine lasted just a year.maybe the Focus is just a bulb eater...

15 minutes ago, StephenFord said:

Odd that mine lasted just a year.maybe the Focus is just a bulb eater...

Or maybe the quality has genuinely declined.  I have found that with other branded parts in the past.

Bulbs are something I just go to Halfords for personally. Very rare that I've needed one and I've never bothered to spend time shopping around like I usually would for most other things.

One reason they may not be lasting as long as you'd expect is that you might be mistakenly touching the glass when you fit them. If you touch the glass then you leave behind traces of oils which supposedly can cause them to fail.

1 minute ago, rd457 said:

One reason they may not be lasting as long as you'd expect is that you might be mistakenly touching the glass when you fit them. If you touch the glass then you leave behind traces of oils which supposedly can cause them to fail.

Never ever done that LOL Though to be fair, doesn't effect LED bulbs, but I still don't touch the 'filament'...

51 minutes ago, AntonovAN12 said:

Tesco of all places sells Osram ones for £5 each so I will probably go with them.

I have read before that the white look filament bulbs cost more and fail sooner than the regular type.

When my lights seemed like candles in jars I popped these Osram Night Breakers in https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07FXZXS2N?th=1
Supposed to be brighter that OE with a slightly reduced lifespan, mine must have been in 3-4 years with no complaints,
I bought a spare set 2 years ago that's sat there waiting.

2 hours ago, rd457 said:

One reason they may not be lasting as long as you'd expect is that you might be mistakenly touching the glass when you fit them. If you touch the glass then you leave behind traces of oils which supposedly can cause them to fail.

I hold them by the metal base for that reason. The traces of skin oil can supposedly cause the glass to crack when heated. I have never seen one actually break.