COST GUIDES
Car headliner repair cost: roof lining prices 2026
Updated 10/26
Fast Facts
Typical cost: Around £150–£500 for professional repair, re-covering or replacement
Biggest price factor: The size and design of your car and the extent of the damage
Average cost: Around £325
A sagging car roof lining can start as a small patch above your head and gradually spread across the whole roof.
Whether yours is starting to come away at the edges, has been damaged by damp or is hanging down enough to get in the way, you'll probably want to know how much it'll cost to put right.
Car headliner repair or replacement typically costs £150–£500, with an average of around £325. The price depends on your vehicle and whether the lining can be repaired or needs to be removed and re-covered.
What is a car headliner (roof lining)?
A car headliner, also known as a roof lining, is the fabric-covered panel on the inside of your car's roof. It's typically made up of fabric and foam attached to a rigid backing board.
As well as giving your vehicle interior a finished appearance, the headliner helps with insulation and sound absorption and sits around features such as interior lights, grab handles and sun visors.
Why do car headliners sag?
A car headliner can start to sag when the foam and adhesive holding the fabric in place deteriorate.
Age, heat and moisture can all contribute. A leak around a sunroof or elsewhere in your vehicle can also damage the headliner, so it's important to deal with the source of any damp before having the lining repaired.
How much does car headliner repair cost?
Car headliner repair, re-covering or replacement typically costs £150–£500, averaging around £325.
| Item | Unit | Cost - low | Cost - high | Average cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Car headliner/roof lining repair or replacement | Per car | £150 | £500 | £325 |
| Last updated: October 2026 Our costs are ballpark averages - get a local tradesperson to quote now | ||||
A small, localised repair may cost less. However, if the foam behind the fabric has deteriorated, simply sticking the old material back into place is unlikely to provide a lasting repair.
In these cases, the headliner may need to be removed so the old material and deteriorated foam can be stripped away before the board is re-covered.
Get a quote for car headliner repair
When requesting a quote, provide your car's make, model and year and explain how much of the lining is affected.
Photos can also help a car trim specialist or garage understand the condition of the headliner before seeing the vehicle.
Find a garage for your roof liner repair
What affects the car roof lining repair price?
Several factors can affect how much you might pay for car headliner repair:
Size of your car: A larger headliner generally requires more material and may take longer to remove and refit
Make and model: The design of the interior and how easily the headliner can be removed will affect the work involved
Extent of the damage: A small localised problem may require less work than a headliner that's sagging across most of the roof
Sunroof or panoramic roof: These can make removing, cutting and refitting the headliner more involved
Fabric: Standard headlining cloth will generally cost less than a particular colour, finish or specialist material
Condition of the backing board: A damaged or water-affected board may need additional attention
Where you have the work done: Labour charges vary between garages and specialist vehicle trimmers
A specialist should be able to tell you whether your existing headliner can be repaired or whether re-covering or replacement is the better option.
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What additional costs should I budget for?
If water has caused the roof lining to sag or become stained, it's important to find and repair the leak before fitting a new headliner. Otherwise, you risk damaging the replacement.
Depending on the condition of your car, additional work could include:
Repairing the source of a water leak
Repairing or replacing a damaged backing board
Replacing damaged or missing trim clips
Other interior trim or upholstery work
Ask for any additional work to be agreed with you before it's carried out.
What's included in a headliner repair quote?
For a full headliner re-cover, a quote may include:
Removing the headliner and any trim needed to access it
Removing the old fabric and deteriorated foam
Preparing the backing board
New foam-backed headlining fabric and adhesive
Refitting the headliner and associated trim
How long does a headliner repair take?
The time needed to repair or replace a car headliner depends on your vehicle and the amount of work involved.
Removing the headliner can be more involved on some cars than others, particularly where there is a sunroof, panoramic roof or additional interior trim to work around.
Your garage or vehicle trimmer should be able to tell you how long they'll need the car once they've assessed the job.
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Car headliner repair cost: job estimator tool
Use our job estimator to get a guide price for your headliner repair.
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Can you fix a sagging headliner yourself?
A small area of sagging fabric can sometimes be temporarily held in place with suitable headliner adhesive or fixing pins.
However, this won't solve the underlying problem if the foam backing has deteriorated. The fabric may simply start to sag again elsewhere.
Re-covering the entire headliner involves removing the board, stripping away the old fabric and foam and applying the new material smoothly. For a lasting, neat finish, this is often best left to an experienced vehicle trimmer.
How to find a checked trim specialist or garage
Look for a garage or vehicle trimmer with experience repairing and re-covering car headliners.
When requesting quotes:
Give your car's make, model and year
Explain whether the whole headliner is sagging or only one area
Mention any sunroof or panoramic roof
Tell them about any damp, staining or leaks
Send photos if possible
Ask what fabric and finish are included in the quote
Check whether parts, materials, labour and VAT are included
Comparing a selection of quotes will also help you understand what's included and whether the proposed repair is suitable for your car.
Find a garage for your roof liner repair
For more tips, read our guide on how to choose a good garage, or find a mechanic near you.
Car headliner repair cost checklist
Before getting quotes:
Car headliner repair cost FAQs
Car headliner repair, re-covering or replacement typically costs £150–£500, with an average cost of around £325. A small localised repair may cost less.
A car headliner can sometimes be repaired if the problem is small and the material underneath is still in good condition. If the foam has deteriorated, removing and re-covering the headliner will usually provide a more lasting repair.
A small section of sagging headliner can sometimes be temporarily secured with suitable adhesive or fixing pins without removing the board. This is unlikely to be a lasting solution if the foam backing has deteriorated.
Car roof lining commonly starts to fall down when the foam and adhesive beneath the fabric deteriorate. Age, heat and moisture can contribute, while leaks can also damage the headliner.
A slightly sagging headliner may not prevent you from driving, but loose material shouldn't be allowed to obstruct your view or interfere with driving. Arrange a repair if the lining is dropping significantly.
Sagging or loose fabric, bubbling, staining and sections of material coming away from the roof can all indicate that your car roof lining needs attention. A vehicle trimmer can assess whether a local repair or full re-cover is appropriate.
The time needed for car ceiling upholstery repair depends on the vehicle, the extent of the damage and how easily the headliner can be removed. Your garage or vehicle trimmer should confirm the expected timeframe after assessing the job.
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