Let us start from the basics. Vehicles come with original equipment from manufacturer (OEM) parts when purchased from the dealers. So, when you buy a vehicle, you get it with the OE or OEM headlights. As time passes, headlights may become yellowish, as polycarbonate deteriorates with time under the influence of UV rays, temperature changes, and cracks. When the lenses are not transparent enough, it is a good idea to replace a headlight.
As of that, you have 2 main options: to purchase OEM headlights from the dealer or switch to the OE-style headlights from the manufacturer of aftermarket headlights. OE-style headlight will look exactly like the stock one, but it is made by a different manufacturing facility. If you decide to switch to aftermarket headlights, it is good to know, what manufacturers are really worth it. You can always check reviews online, and see the forums and Youtube videos to make sure you are getting a quality product. As for the headlight manufacturers, I can recommend Morimoto as the premium manufacturer, Dorman as a mid-priced manufacturer, and Autosaver-88 as a manufacturer of budget-friendly OE-style headlights.
- DOT compliant means that the lighting meets section 108 requirements of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS). These standards regulate all automotive lighting, signaling, and reflective devices.
- SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) is a worldwide organization that sets technical standards for the manufacturing, testing, and design of automotive lighting.