How to Replace Mercury Tail Lights
Replacing Mercury tail lights is quick and easy enough that you can do it yourself.
Written by Bonnie Stinson
Reviewed by Melanie Reiff
If you want to save a little money on repairs, you can replace your Mercury tail lights yourself. The cost for new bulbs is pretty low, usually between $30 and $60 per light.
Functioning tail lights are essential to your safety on the road. They ensure that other drivers can see you, preventing dangerous accidents. A malfunctioning or broken light needs to be replaced quickly to keep you safe while driving—and to avoid a costly ticket.
Jerry
the car repair
expert put together this guide to help walk you through a Mercury tail light cost and replacement. We've even got a few tips to lower your Mercury insurance costs
and use your policy to cover the repair.Jerry sends free alerts to keep your car up-to-date so you can avoid costly repairs
* checking your rate won’t affect your credit score
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* checking your rate won’t affect your credit score
How to replace a Mercury tail light
Cost: $30 to $60, but sometimes as high as $100
Time: 5-10 minutes
Tools needed: Phillips head screwdriver, replacement parts
Difficulty: Easy
First, you’ll need to figure out what’s causing your Mercury tail light to quit working. Obviously, if your tail light is broken because you backed into something or got rear-ended, figuring out the problem won’t be too difficult.
However, if you only knew your tail light was out because a law enforcement officer pulled you over, you might have to do some troubleshooting to figure out the issue.
If your brake lights are working fine and only one tail light is out, you probably just have a burnt-out bulb. However, if both tail lights are out or you notice your
brake lights aren't working
either, you might have a fuse or wiring issue.If you suspect a more complex wiring issue, you can always have a mechanic look your vehicle over and identify the problem for sure.
Once you’ve located the problem, check your owner’s manual to find out the specific parts you need for a replacement. Your manual should list the specific parts and part numbers for your Mercury model and model year.
- Disconnect the battery. When you’re working with anything that has wires, it’s a good idea to disconnect from the power source to prevent electric shock.
- Open the trunk. Then locate the mounting screws on the tail light.
- Unscrew the screws and pull the tail light assembly straight out.
At this point, you can disconnect the whole assembly and replace it if needed. But if you just need to replace a bulb, continue with these steps:
- Unscrew the bulb socket. Then take out the burnt bulb and replace it with a new one.
- Reinstall the tail light assembly and secure it with the mounting screws.
- Test the new lights to make sure they’re functioning properly.
Key Takeaway Replacing Mercury tail lights is easy enough that you can do it yourself with the right tools and replacement parts.
Commons reasons for Mercury tail light malfunctions
In the case of an accident or collision, you’ll know why your tail light isn’t working anymore. But if your lights suddenly go dark, there could be several reasons why. Here are some common causes of malfunctioning tail lights:
- Burnt-out bulb: If only one tail light is out, it’s most likely a burnt-out bulb.
- Faulty wiring or fuses: If more than one light is affected, you may have a problem with wiring or a blown fuse.
- Corroded socket: If moisture gets into your tail light assembly, it can corrode the sockets where your bulbs are screwed in.
- Broken control switch: If you replace your tail light assemblies and are still having issues, the problem may be with the control switch.
Does car insurance cover broken tail lights?
Depending on your policy, your
car insurance might cover a busted tail light
on your Mercury. However, it’s usually a better idea to skip the insurance claim altogether.If your tail light was broken in an accident or by backing into a stationary object,
collision insurance
would cover the damages. Comprehensive coverage
would kick in if your tail light was damaged by a natural disaster or vandalism.One thing to remember is that before your insurance will pay for the damaged tail light, you’ll have to pay your deductible.
The most you would pay to replace a tail light on a Mercury is $100. Compare this to the average car insurance deductible of $500, and you can see how you would end up saving money by not making an insurance claim.
Remember that filing a car insurance claim can potentially cause your premiums to go up. So filing a claim for a cheap repair you can do yourself can end up costing you quite a bit of money.
Key Takeaway It’s more cost-effective to pay for a Mercury tail light replacement out-of-pocket than to file an insurance claim.
How to find affordable Mercury insurance
Car insurance
for Mercury drivers costs an average of $1,347 a year. But depending on the model you drive, along with your driving history and other factors, you might be able to pay a lot less.If you want to find the best deals on car insurance that fits your unique needs, download the top-rated insurance app
Jerry
. In just 45 seconds, our trustworthy insurance shopping super app
will deliver customized quotes to your device so you can find the lowest rates on the coverage you need. Best of all, Jerry will walk you through the process of signing up for your new coverage and even help you find discounts you qualify for to save you even more money.
“This app is all about savings!Jerryjust saved me $193/month on my car insurance. They literally found me the cheapest policies out there and with better coverage! Seriously, just sit back and watch Jerry work its magic.” —Rachel B.
Jerry sends free alerts to keep your car up-to-date so you can avoid costly repairs
* checking your rate won’t affect your credit score
Get ahead of my car maintenance
* checking your rate won’t affect your credit score
How much does it cost to replace a Mercury tail light?
On average, the cost to replace Mercury tail lights is between $30 and $60. Some models might be a little higher, but the average isn’t above $100.
Can I replace the tail lights on an older model, like a 2008 Mercury Mariner?
Absolutely! The process for replacing tail lights on any Mercury model is pretty standard, with only a few differences based on model or model year. Just make sure you have the right tools and replacement parts before you start.
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