Head gasket repair cost

If your engine is overheating, you notice white smoke from your exhaust, or a loss of engine power, you may have a faulty head gasket.

Many motorists hear these words and fear a sky-high head gasket repair cost. This handy guide outlines the average cost of supplying and installing a new head gasket across various vehicle makes, to help you budget.

How much does it cost to fix a head gasket in the UK?

Head gasket repair costs vary greatly depending on the make and model of your vehicle.

The average head gasket replacement costs range from around £700 to supply and install a head gasket on a Suzuki, Nissan, or Toyota, up to around £1,850 for a Land Rover.

The costs outlined in the table below provide a guide for the average cost of supplying and installing a head gasket across some of the most popular vehicle makes in the UK.

The costs shown in the table are ballpark figures to be used as a guide only.

For accurate head gasket repair costs near you, enter your postcode below to see the mechanics who come highly recommended in your area.

On Checkatrade, you'll only find trades who meet our high standards and pass up to 12 checks.

Head gasket repair prices

In addition to the supply and installation of the head gasket itself, there could be other costs to factor into your head gasket repair price:

• The head of the engine could need skimming
• Fitting a new set of glow plugs at the same time is advisable
• It may also be necessary to have new coolants, thermostats, and water pumps, depending on the severity of the initial overheating
• You should also have a pressure test on the engine on completion of the work, to make sure there are no cracks in the head

Is it worth fixing a head gasket?

Head gasket replacement costs can be considerable. For cars of lesser value, some mechanics may suggest scrapping the vehicle rather than paying for blown head gasket repair costs.

What are the first signs of a blown head gasket?

Diagnosing a faulty head gasket is not always straightforward as it’s hidden within an assembled engine. However, there are some common signs that are indicative of a faulty head gasket. These include:

• Loss of engine power
• White exhaust smoke
• White or milky-coloured oil around the engine’s oil filler cap
• Water from the exhaust
• Engine overheating

Find a trustworthy and reliable mechanic near you

To find a mechanic you can trust and rely on for your head gasket replacement and all other vehicle-related repairs, look no further than the Checkatrade site.

The tick you can trust…

• All our members have passed up to 12 checks
• Over 6.2 million reviews have been published on Checkatrade
• We guarantee our members’ work. You could claim up to £1,000 (eligibility criteria and T&Cs apply)

Enter your postcode below to see the mechanics who come highly rated near you.

FAQs

Can I drive with a bad head gasket?

Driving with a blown head gasket is possible, but it’s not recommended. Not only might you experience a loss of power, but you could risk further (irreparable) damage to your engine. Moreso, you risk the safety of you, your passengers, and other road users.

Is changing a head gasket a big job?

Changing a head gasket is one of the biggest failures your vehicle can experience. Completing this job is labour-intensive, taking anything from six hours to a few days.

Is it better to fix a blown head gasket or replace the engine?

If the blown head gasket has caused irreparable damage to the engine, a completely new engine will need to be installed. If not, the head gasket can normally be replaced.