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Compare Head Gasket Repair Deals Near You

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Your car’s head gasket sits between the engine block and cylinder heads, playing a crucial role in the combustion process. Not only does it ensure complete and contained combustion by providing a seal around the chamber, but it also prevents oil, coolant and water from interfering with the process. This means that when you need a head gasket repair, you should get the problem sorted as quickly as possible.

Especially before your car becomes undriveable or an already expensive repair gets even worse.

 

How Much Does a Head Gasket Repair Cost?

A head gasket repair costs around £600 in the UK, with prices ranging anywhere from £400 to £1,500+.

If you’ve suffered other engine damage such as cracked cylinder heads or engine block, you could be looking at several thousand pounds worth of repairs to get your car working properly again.

And, as the head gasket is built to last up to 200,000 miles, it may be that your repair bill ends up costing far more than your car’s value – so is it even worthwhile in the first place?

 

Why Would I Bother Booking a Head Gasket Repair?

Well, your car can’t run properly without the head gasket. It’s built to withstand so much pressure and stress to keep the combustion process under control that everything falls apart without it.

A blown head gasket can easily write a car off, so booking a repair is vital if you want to continue driving your vehicle.

 

Should I Book a Head Gasket Repair?

This depends on how much your vehicle means to you. Many hold significant sentimental value, so you may be prepared to pay whatever it takes to keep your pride and joy moving.

If you’re not prepared to say goodbye to your vehicle just yet, then you should book a head gasket repair if you’ve noticed a problem.

 

What are the Symptoms of a Faulty Head Gasket?

The most common issue is a blown head gasket, which can be identified by the following symptoms:

  • Your car has low coolant, with the coolant level warning light illuminated (if you have one)
  • The temperature gauge is very high or you’re suffering with overheating
  • Your car runs rough, either struggling to accelerate or sounding like the engine is working a lot harder than normal
  • There’s light coloured smoke coming out of the exhaust
  • Your oil is milky or cloudy on the dipstick

 

You should avoid driving your car and book an appointment at a local garage if you notice any of these warning signs, getting a tow to the inspection to avoid causing extra damage.

And you’re in the right place if you’re looking for an excellent local garage to help get you back on the road.

 

Effortlessly Compare Deals to Book the Right Head Gasket Repair Near You

We’re on a mission to connect every UK driver with their perfect local garage, making car maintenance more accessible for everyone – even if you don’t know anything about it.

We believe that you’ve got enough to worry about in your daily life without stressing over who to choose for your head gasket repair or wasting time ringing round local garages to try and find an available slot that meets your needs.

That’s why we offer transparent 24/7 comparison, doing all the hard work for you to help you find and book the best local deal in seconds – without sacrificing quality or convenience.

Whether booking the cheapest head gasket repair matters most to you, you’d prefer to book into the highest rated or nearest garage or you need a same-, next-day or mobile repair, we’ve got you covered. You’re in total control, comparing garages your way to find one you can trust to do the very best job, and at the right price – with no pre-payment required* to make a booking.

Because this is such an important repair, 12-month parts and labour warranties are often available and we display as many verified reviews as possible on each listing, so you can choose a garage with confidence based on real experiences from real people.

And if you truly want the highest quality head gasket repair near you, book an appointment at one of our Silver, Gold or Top Tier garages. These are the best of the best; garages that will always go above and beyond to ensure you get the highest quality car care and customer service.

With so much transparency and choice available, prioritising getting you the best deal every time, it’s no wonder we’ve provided 23.5 million instant prices to date and received thousands of 5* reviews across Trustpilot and Google.

*some mobile mechanics may ask for payment details upfront.

 

Book a Head Gasket Repair Near You Now

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Frequently asked questions

Why can’t I compare instant prices?

We’re working hard to add head gasket repairs to our list of instant price products. In the meantime, you can compare garages by labour rate and other factors, such as their reviews and Tier status, to find the perfect one for your appointment.

We show labour rates as these hourly costs make up most of the final bill. Therefore, comparing these costs can give a good idea how much you’ll pay for a lengthy repair at each garage.

What causes head gasket problems?

The most common causes of a head gasket problem are:
• High engine temperature
• Overheating engine
• Lack of coolant
• Incorrect coolant inhibitor
• Pre-ignition problems
• Faulty cooling system

If you regularly top up your coolant but can’t see a leak under your car, there’s a strong chance that you have a head gasket problem. You should book an inspection to get this checked out as soon as possible to avoid further damage.

Will I need to repair or replace a head gasket regularly?

No, head gaskets are built to last up to 200,000 miles so most drivers won’t even need to worry about a repair during their car’s lifetime.

It’s also one of the toughest components, so is unlikely to require regular maintenance or checks unless you notice a problem.

Can I repair a head gasket myself?

No, you shouldn’t try to repair a head gasket yourself. It’s buried deep within the engine, so the repair requires specialist knowledge and equipment most amateur mechanics don’t have access to.

As your car may also have suffered additional engine damage, you should always book a professional inspection to ensure your car is safe and roadworthy after the repair.

How long does a head gasket repair take?

A head gasket replacement can take anywhere from 5 hours to more than a day.

The repair time is affected by the severity of the problem, your vehicle's make, model and age, engine type and several other factors.

Your chosen garage will be able to provide a more accurate estimate after the initial inspection.

Will a faulty head gasket fail my MOT test?

No, your head gasket cannot cause an MOT failure on its own as the test doesn't check this part.

However, a faulty head gasket can affect your vehicle's emissions which counts as a major MOT fault, causing a failure.

If you’re worried about passing your next MOT, we recommend booking a head gasket inspection at a local garage to get any issues diagnosed before the test.

Can I drive with a broken head gasket?

No, you should avoid driving your car as soon as you notice a problem that could indicate a blown head gasket. Continuing to drive a vehicle with an inefficient gasket can be unsafe and increase the cost of your repair bill.

If your head gasket is completely broken, your car is likely undriveable due to its inability to properly regulate the combustion process.

What are the warning signs of a leaking head gasket?

If you notice any of the following, there’s a good chance your head gasket is leaking:
• Increased engine temperature
• Oil and water mixing
• Poor acceleration
• Fluid in the exhaust system
• Lack of coolant
• Water or oil in the engine bay

If you or a technician notice any of the above, it’s worth getting your head gasket checked as soon as possible to avoid making the problem worse.

Are there any cost-effective fixes for my head gasket?

There are plenty of high-quality head gasket sealants available as a cost-effective, temporary fix to keep your car moving until a repair can be completed.

Please note that these sealants are not an alternative to a proper repair and you may still cause extra damage by driving your car for too long with a faulty head gasket, even if you’ve applied sealant correctly.

Do garages on your platform offer warranties on their head gasket repairs?

Yes, many garages offer a 12-month parts and labour warranty on all their repairs to give you complete peace of mind and an experience you can trust.

Unfortunately, we’re currently unable to display this information on our listings. If your preferred garage doesn’t mention a warranty, but getting one matters to you, we recommend contacting them directly to see if it’s something they offer.

What are the Tier badges?

Our Tier badges highlight the very best garages near you, rewarding those who always go above and beyond to deliver exceptional car care and customer service to every driver. Each Silver, Gold and Top Tier garage has met and maintained strict eligibility criteria to be awarded their badge, ensuring you’ll likely receive a higher-quality experience during your head gasket repair when choosing one.

When do I pay for my head gasket repairs?

Apart from some mobile mechanics who may ask for payment details upfront, we don’t require any pre-payment for you to make a booking through our platform. You deal with the garage direct after making the booking, paying them after the work has been done.