How Much Does An EGR Valve Replacement Cost in the UK?

​​An Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) valve is a device used to recirculate exhaust gases back into the engine cylinders. By doing this, the EGR valve helps reduce emissions of harmful pollutants. An EGR valve can become clogged with carbon deposits, restricting exhaust gas flow and causing the engine to run lean and reducing engine performance. When this happens, it will need to be replaced.

How much does it cost to replace an EGR valve?

The average cost of replacing an EGR valve is £265, with prices ranging from £150 and £650. If the faulty EGR valve has caused increased emissions and overheating there is a possibility that it could have caused damage to associated components. If this is the case, the engine will need to be inspected and repaired accordingly. The exact price of the EGR valve 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 an EGR valve replacement. 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 an EGR valve replacement.

Average cost of an EGR valve replacement by location

To avoid having car owners overpaying and get a fair price for an EGR valve replacement, we use real-time data of thousands of car makes and model data, local labour prices for EGR valve 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 an EGR valve replacement for your car.

Average cost of an EGR valve replacement by manufacturer

Signs your EGR valve needs to be replaced

• Check engine light on
• Difficulty starting engine
• High fuel consumption
• Poor performance
• Rough idling
• MOT emissions failure

The "Check Engine" light is on

One of the most common symptoms of a failing EGR valve is the Check Engine Light turning on. If the valve is not opening or closing when it should, the engine may throw a P0401 or P0402 code on a diagnostic tool.

Dark smoke from exhaust

If the EGR valve is not working, the engine will run richer because there is less oxygen available for the combustion process. This will cause black smoke to come out of the exhaust.

Rough idling or stalling

Another symptom of a failing EGR valve is a rough idle. This is because the engine is not getting enough air when the valve is stuck open. If the EGR valve is stuck open, the engine will stall. This is because the engine is not getting enough air and the combustion process is interrupted.

Loss of power and decreased economy

If the EGR valve is clogged, the engine will lose some power. This is because the EGR system recirculates some of the exhaust gases back into the intake manifold. This lowers the combustion temperature and reduces the formation of NOx emissions.

Frequently asked questions about EGR valve replacement cost

Is it worth replacing the EGR valve?

If the EGR valve is clogged sometimes it is possible for a mechanic to carry out a carbon cleaning and reinstall the same part. In other cases, the EGR valve may be broken and the diaphragm may have gotten stuck in which case the EGR valve will need to be replaced.

It’s important to note that according to the Department for Transportation, removing the EGR valve from Euro 6 emissions standard-compliant vehicles will mean that it will no longer comply with road vehicle regulations. A faulty EGR valve could also likely result in an MOT test failure.

Will a new EGR valve improve performance?

A new EGR valve may improve performance by helping the engine to run more smoothly. It may also help to reduce emissions and improve overall fuel economy.

Can I continue to drive with a faulty EGR valve?

The effects of a faulty EGR valve vary depending on the severity of the problem. In some cases, the engine may run normally, while at other times it may cause the engine to run roughly, producing black smoke from the exhaust, or triggering the check engine light.

If the problem is severe enough, it could cause the engine to stall. Either way, it is not recommended to drive with a faulty EGR valve and get it inspected and replaced as soon as possible.

How long does an EGR valve replacement take?

On average, EGR valve replacement times can range from 1 hour to 3 hours with an average of 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 an EGR valve replacement myself?

Replacing an EGR valve is a fairly complex task and can be especially challenging with certain engine types. Unless you are a qualified mechanic with the required skills, training and equipment to do the job, we strongly recommend an EGR valve 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 EGR valve isn’t broken?

If you’re experiencing the above signs and symptoms and it’s not the EGR valve that’s faulty it could also be the following:

• Catalytic converter - Dark-coloured exhaust fumes or an MOT emission failure could indicate an issue with the catalytic converter
• Starter motor, battery or other fuel system issues - Difficulty starting up a car or rough idling could point out to an issue either with a faulty ignition or a malfunctioning fuel system
• Oxygen sensor or air filter - Performance issues or high fuel consumption can be an issue related to multiple car parts but the oxygen sensor or a dirty filter could also be causing it.

What happens during an EGR valve replacement?

Whilst there are quite obviously many different engine designs on the market, there are as many different processes to change one. There are some basic steps though that are common:

• The mechanic will physically inspect the area around the EGR valve for leaks
• A full diagnostic test will be carried out with the monitoring of live data
• If deemed to be faulty and once the engine has cooled, the EGR valve will be removed and replaced
• Diagnostic checks will be rerun and codes cleared down
• Vehicle will be road-tested