Typical UK turbo prices
Prices include the turbo, gaskets, oil feed pipe, oil and filter change, and labour at around £70 an hour. Access is the main labour variable.
| Job | Typical UK cost |
|---|---|
| Reconditioned turbo, small diesel | £600 to £1,000 |
| New turbo, small diesel | £900 to £1,500 |
| Mid-size diesel or petrol turbo | £1,000 to £1,800 |
| Large SUV or 3.0 diesel turbo | £1,500 to £2,800 |
| Twin-turbo prestige engine (per turbo) | £1,800 to £3,000+ |
| Turbo actuator or wastegate repair only | £300 to £700 |
| Additional DPF replacement after turbo failure | £600 to £1,800 |
What affects the cost
Recon or new
A quality reconditioned unit with a warranty typically saves 30 to 40 per cent against new. Avoid the cheapest unbranded units, which often fail again within months.
Access and labour
Some turbos sit on top of the engine and come off in three hours. Others are buried behind the block or need the subframe dropping, which can be eight hours or more.
The cause of failure
Turbos rarely fail on their own. Blocked oil feeds, worn engine oil, a split intercooler hose or a blocked DPF are common causes and must be fixed or the new turbo will follow the old one.
Knock-on damage
A failing turbo can push oil through the intercooler and into the DPF or catalytic converter. Cleaning or replacing those adds significantly to the total.
Signs of a failing turbo
- A noticeable loss of power, often with the car going into limp mode.
- Blue or grey smoke from the exhaust, especially on acceleration.
- A high-pitched whine or siren noise that rises with revs.
- The engine management light on with boost pressure fault codes.
- Oil level dropping with no visible external leak.
How to pay a fair price
Insist that any quote includes an oil and filter change, inspection of the oil feed and return pipes, and a check of the intercooler and DPF. A garage that quotes turbo-only is not protecting you against a repeat failure. Comparing quotes on that basis matters more than the headline price.
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