To be sure this is a regular problem. The cracks come from a combination of things. Generally Age and Ultra Violet rays. The longer the vehicle has to sit outside in the extreme light condions and heavier UV rays the worse and sooner it will, crack/craze. Some of this cracking is on the surface, which can to a certain point be buffed out. I have this cracking on my 2017 F-type SVR headlights, originally a Florida car was brutally exposed to UV. Some buffed out, some not so much since it's embedded deep in the plastic. May here have lemented their sadness , and anger over replacement headlight costs & I totally agree. I did find something that may help fix the problem. On EBAY I found some head light (Lens) only replacements. The kit includes: 2 lens, 1LH & 1RH sealant and installation instructions. The cost for the pair is about $425 , a far cry from the $1500--3000 for a new (one) if you can find one. There appears to be more than one manufacturer, are UV stable polycarbonate. And yes their made in China, but I've seen some amazing, quality stuff not all is poor. Might be worth a look. I'm seriously considering it, If you have any DIY abilities ....

 

My headlights have that pretty badly, especially the driver's side. It gets the full afternoon sun in my usual parking place (the cat sleeps outside).

Someone else here noted these replacements but that replacement was more difficult than expected. I've got it on my mental list to look into that when the weather turns. I did put UV-protective headlight film on mine, but the damage was already done.

 

When the time comes I'm going to go this route first, I'm pretty good with DIY projects. And if can save me $4500. , why not. Anything I could do would improve on it's current appearance, mind you it's not horrible, but quite noticeable. Best of luck!!

 

I've done this for years with the ceramic coating on the paint, but on the headlights it stops the UV damage. My BMW 5 series that I sold last year was a 2011 with over 200k miles and the headlight lens look like new. The guy who bought the car from me keeps asking how I was able to keep the lenses in such good shape. So if you go through the process to restore the lenses, see about either a DIY ceramic, like CarPro or get it done, well worth the expense.

 

A super-simple method of preventing UV damage to the lenses: regular use of a good carnauba-based wax. I have successfully used this method on all the cars used on my signature list - well, not the Mk 2, which has glass lenses ☺️

 

If you do not have cracks inside the lens, then it is an easy restoration process. Wet sand the headlight, starting with 1500 grit sandpaper. Keep going up with finer grit (2K, 3K, 4K). Then polish with Meguiar's PlastX.

You will need to apply a clear coat with UV protection if you want it to last. I did this years ago to one of my cars.





I did install some XPEL headlight film to protect it further... here is a photo after the work done. Again, not difficult. Take your time. Mask the surrounding areas if you do not remove the headlight.

 

Clicked on a few of your car links there. You do like messing around with cars I see ;-0

 

I like to play…

 

Do you still have all those cars in your signature? If so, boy, you’re all setup for some continued retirement tinkering ;-o

 

The ones in the signature, yes. The ones gone are not listed here…

The headlights photos are from my 2002 Twin Turbo. Now gone.