How Much Does It Cost to Replace a Head Gasket?
Ellie Dyer-Brown, 18 days ago
5 min read
- Cost
- Engine
- Repair
FixMyCar discusses how much it costs for a head gasket replacement.
The head gasket seals the engine's combustion chamber and prevents coolant and oil from mixing. Unfortunately, extreme heat and pre-ignition problems can cause it to fail, requiring a replacement. Find out how much you can expect to pay in this guide.
Contents
How much does it cost to replace a blown head gasket?
A head gasket replacement costs £671.79 on average, according to our data. Below are the average prices for different car makes.
| Car Make | Average Price |
|---|---|
| Audi | £660.50 |
| BMW | £807.71 |
| Citroen | £665.55 |
| Ford | £698.56 |
| MINI | £757.67 |
| Mercedes | £817.14 |
| Nissan | £647.96 |
| Peugeot | £727.90 |
| Renault | £723.17 |
| Toyota | £485.75 |
| Vauxhall | £640.52 |
| Volkswagen | £685.74 |
| Volvo | £475 |
Signs of head gasket failure
When your head gasket is faulty, you may notice:
White or milky oil
Water or a sweet smell from your exhaust
Causes of head gasket failure
There are two main causes of head gasket failure: overheating and pre-ignition problems.
Overheating
A perforated head gasket - or 'blown' head gasket, as it is often called - is usually caused by extreme heat. Find out why your car might be overheating.
Pre-ignition problems
When fuel is combusted at the wrong time, it sends a huge amount of pressure to the cylinder head, which can create perforations further down the line.
If you found this guide helpful, you might also like:
Related guides
Nothing Found
Written by Ellie
Ellie is FixMyCar's Content Writer. She has over three years of experience writing about cars and regularly collaborates with automotive experts to provide trustworthy advice for drivers in a language they understand. Her work has been featured in Yahoo! Finance, iNews, The Daily Express and The Sun. She has a BA in English literature and an MA in creative writing from Durham University. Outside of work, Ellie follows F1 and eagerly awaits Ferrari's next era of dominance in the sport. She drives a Suzuki Swift.