How Much Does Car Radiator Replacement Cost in the UK?

Car radiators transfer heat from the engine to the surrounding air. By circulating coolant through the engine, the radiator ensures that the engine operates at the correct temperature. When the engine is cold, the thermostat prevents the coolant from circulating until the engine reaches its operating temperature. When the engine is hot, the thermostat opens and the radiator transfers the heat from the coolant to the surrounding air, preventing the engine from overheating.

How much does it cost to replace a car radiator?

The average cost of replacing a radiator is £200, with prices ranging from £150 and £350. The exact price of the radiator replacement depends largely on your car and the parts recommended by the manufacturer.

Your location can also be a key factor in determining the price of a car radiator repair. For example, average hourly labour rates and demand in cities like London is around £50-£100 while in towns with lower demand, the labour rates can range from £35-£50. The type of mechanic, for example, a mobile mechanic vs a dealership garage technician can also affect the total cost of a car radiator repair.

Average cost of a car radiator replacement by location

To avoid having car owners overpaying and get a fair price for a car radiator replacement, we use real-time data of thousands of car makes and model data, local labour prices for vehicle radiator repairs and replacements and part prices to provide an instant fair quote. Simply enter your vehicle registration number and postcode to get an instant price for a radiator replacement for your car.

Average cost of a car radiator replacement by manufacturer

Signs your car radiator needs to be replaced

• Engine overheating
• Coolant leaks
• Replacing coolant frequently
• Corrosion on exterior of radiator
• Moist/ leakage patches around the radiator
• Fluid discolouration (coolant)
• Check engine light on

​​​​The car is overheating

Since radiators are the only means of cooling engine coolant, they are likely the culprit when vehicles suffer from overheating.

There is coolant leakage

The coolant in the vehicle flows through the radiator, so if the radiator leaks, coolant will leak onto the ground. In the event of a coolant leak or liquid patches around the radiator, it's best to get it inspected immediately to avoid engine damage due to overheating.

The radiator is corroded

If the radiator is corroded, it is not able to properly dissipate heat, which will eventually lead to engine overheating.

The radiator fins are bent

The radiator fins are responsible for dissipating heat from the radiator. If the fins are bent, they will not be able to do their job properly, which will lead to engine overheating.

The radiator hoses are cracked or leaking

The radiator hoses are responsible for taking coolant from the engine to the radiator. If the hoses are cracked or leaking, the coolant will leak out before reaching the radiator, which will eventually lead to engine overheating.

Frequently asked questions about radiator replacement cost

Is it worth fixing a car radiator?

Identifying the source of the leak will help the mechanic determine whether a repair can fix the problem. For example, if the radiator hose is damaged and causing a coolant leak, then it can be fixed without the need to do a complete radiator replacement.

Can you drive a car with a broken or cracked radiator?

A cracked radiator is a serious issue and driving a car with one is not recommended. A crack in the radiator can cause coolant to leak out, which can lead to the engine overheating so it’s best to get it fixed before it leads to further damage.

Can a bad radiator cause transmission problems?

There is a good chance that a faulty radiator can cause transmission problems because some transmissions need to be cooled by the radiator, so if the radiator is not functioning as it should be, the transmission will overheat and become damaged. This can cause the transmission to slip or not shift correctly.

How long does a car radiator replacement take?

On average, car radiator replacement times can range from under 1 hour to over 2.5 hours with an average of around 1.5 hours. The time that the job takes will depend on a number of factors, like your vehicle's make and model, year, as well as other factors. Select your car at the top of this page for information on job time and cost for your vehicle through ClickMechanic.

Can I carry out a car radiator repair myself?

A car radiator is connected to various parts of the vehicle like the thermostat and requires special tools such as hoses and clamps to install a new radiator.

Unless you are a qualified mechanic with the required skills, training and equipment to do the job, we strongly recommend a car radiator replacement is only carried out by a professional mechanic. ClickMechanic can help get you a vetted and local mechanic to carry out the work. Just enter your postcode and your car's registration number at the top of this page and select the work needed to get an instant fixed price upfront.

What else could be the problem if my car radiator isn’t broken?

If you notice the check engine light on it could point anywhere from a faulty spark plug to a damaged catalytic converter so it’s best to get a mechanic to carry out a diagnostics to determine the exact problem. If the radiator is not causing the check engine light to illuminate then it could be the following:

• Coolant - overheating can be caused by coolant leaks or low coolant levels
• Water pump damage - the water pump circulates the coolant and if this fails, then it can cause overheating and other engine damage
• Thermostat - if the thermostat is stuck then it can no longer regulate the flow of coolant leading to overheating
• Blown head gasket - in extreme cases, a blown head gasket can lead to coolant and the engine oil mixing which will not only lead to overheating and emissions but has the potential to damage other engine parts

What happens during a car radiator repair?

• Mechanic will inspect the radiator and ancillaries for leaks.
• Mechanic will subject the cooling system to a pressure test.
• If necessary, the mechanic will replace the radiator.
• Mechanic will advise if any other parts ought to be replaced (like the radiator hoses).
• Mechanic will refill the cooling system with engine coolant.
• Mechanic will run the engine and, if necessary, test drive the car (check for leaks again).