ABS Sensor Repair
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£71.38
Average quote for an ABS sensor repair
The anti-lock brake sensor (ABS sensor) monitors the speed and rotation of your car’s wheels to optimise traction and brake control. To do this, it uses two components. The first is a tone ring or reluctor wheel positioned on the axle, which rotates with the wheel, and the second is a magnetic or hall effect sensor, responsible for sending information to the ABS control module.
The control module uses this wheel speed data to determine when to activate the ABS and how much pressure to apply to stop the vehicle. Learn about how car braking systems work here.
ABS sensors are designed to last a long time - often the car's lifespan - but sometimes they can go wrong.
Brake repairs
The average price of a brake repair booked on FixMyCar is £440.93. Brake repairs are common and often involve the replacement of parts.
Can include- Diagnosis
- Brake pad replacement
- Brake caliper repair
- Brake fluid replacement
- Handbrake repair
- Brake lines repair
- Brake disc replacement
Brake pads and disc change
The average price of brake pads and disc fitting booked on FixMyCar is £439.51.
Brake pads and discs need replacing every 25,000-60,000 miles, or if you notice an unusual noise when you brake. It's a standard job, and a professional can quickly fit your new brake pads and discs.
Can include- Brake testing
- Full brake pad and disc replacement
Brake fluid change
The average cost of a brake fluid change booked on FixMyCar is £58.21. Brake fluid needs changing every two years to keep your braking system working correctly. A professional will flush out and replace your brake fluid using specialist equipment to avoid it being contaminated.
Can include- Brake fluid replacement
Symptoms of ABS sensor issues
When the ABS sensor malfunctions, the ABS warning light will appear on your dashboard and stay illuminated. This is an obvious sign that something is wrong with the system, but it doesn’t necessarily mean the sensor is to blame.
Other symptoms to look out for include a loss of traction and stability, a pulsating brake pedal, which happens when the sensor sends incorrect information to the control module, making it think the car is skidding, and total ABS failure.
Your brakes should still work, so it’s possible to drive with a faulty ABS sensor, but the wheels may lock up, causing you to slide in a straight line even if you turn the steering wheel. For this reason, you should avoid driving in slippery conditions with a broken sensor and book a repair as soon as possible.
Learn more about brakes
What happens if you don’t fix an ABS sensor?
Continuing to drive for an extended period with a faulty ABS sensor isn’t a good idea. The ABS will likely be disabled, meaning it won’t function when it is usually triggered for safety purposes. Related systems like traction and stability control may also stop working. If you don’t fix your ABS sensor, you’re putting yourself and your passengers at risk.
Is a faulty ABS sensor an MOT failure?
Having an anti-lock braking system has been a legal requirement for cars since 2004, so an ABS warning light that is permanently on will result in an instant MOT failure.
Find out what else is checked in an MOT or read about common MOT fails and how to avoid them.
What causes an ABS sensor to break?
Two things mainly cause ABS sensor failure: contamination from metal shavings or debris and damaged wiring. Unfortunately, there isn't much you can do to prevent these things from occurring.
