Why you should buy CAPA certified headlights

CAPA certified headlights provide more light on the road than non-certified headlights

CAPA certified headlights have gone through independent testing to make sure they meet the minimum standards for automotive lighting. Lots of companies make aftermarket headlights. Some look great out of the box but the optics are poor and they don’t light up the road like factory headlights. Headlight manufacturers must pay to have their headlight certified and only the big companies can afford that testing.

What does CAPAP certified mean?

CAPA stands for the Certified Automotive Parts Association. The organization conducts independent testing on aftermarket auto parts to ensure they meet minimum standards and are “functionally equivalent” to an OEM part. Each component category has certain testing protocols the part must pass to earn the CAPA seal.

What is the testing for CAPA certified headlights?

The CAPA 301 testing protocol includes:

1) Testing for headlight compliance to: Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 108 for automotive lighting
2) Verification of Size, Dimension and Effective Projected Luminous Lens Area (ie: beam pattern compliance)
3) Electrical and Power Readings
4) Proper Level of Illumination, Photometry and Color
5) Projected Life and Durability
6) Gaskets, Adhesives, Sealants and Auxiliary Equipment Aiming Devices
7) Metallurgical/Material Testing (composition, mechanical properties)
8) Appearance
9) Production
10) Quality Control Procedures
11) Vehicle Test Fit (VTF)
12) Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) Testing, as applicable

It’s your proof against fraud

A CAPA certified part contains a two-part seal with a unique number and bar code. If the repair is done at a body shop, they’ll tear off one portion of the seal and affix it to the repair order to prove they used CAPA certified parts in the repair.

The second portion stays on the part to prove that it’s authentic

The seal is designed to self-destruct if anyone tries to tamper with it. In other words, the seal cannot be transferred from a CAPA Certified part to a non-CAPA Certified part and used to commit fraud or other deceptive practices.

Tampering with CAPA Seals is Illegal. The CAPA Quality Seal is a key element of the CAPA program and as such is owned by CAPA and protected by federal and state law.

How to find a certified headlights

If the auto parts seller doesn’t indicate the part is CAPA certified, it probably isn’t. However, even if it is listed as certified, you can check the authenticity right on the CAPA website here.

Don’t shop by brand alone

Many aftermarket parts manufacturers belong to CAPA but manufacturers often make two versions of parts – one that’s CAPA-certified, one that isn’t (for economy minded consumers).

If CAPA certification is important to you, make sure the part has the CAPA seal on it.

©, 2023 Rick Muscoplat