EGR valve replacement

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EGR valve

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£371.61

Average quote for EGR valve repairs

What is an EGR valve?

EGR stands for exhaust gas recirculation. An EGR valve recirculates the exhaust gases from your car, controlling the amount of pollution emitted by your exhaust and making it more environmentally friendly. Dirty exhaust gases are rerouted back to the combustion chamber to be reused. Nearly all modern vehicles are fitted with an EGR valve as pollution and air quality become increasingly important. 

When your EGR valve is clogged or faulty, you will often experience problems when driving such as reduced power and acceleration. The pollution caused by your car will also increase and you’ll end up using more fuel. So, it’s important to keep an eye out for any changes whilst you’re driving that could indicate an issue that needs to be seen to.

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EGR valve replacement costs and prices

The average price for an EGR valve replacement on WhoCanFixMyCar is £371.61. However, the exact cost of getting a repair or replacement to your EGR valve will depend on many factors, including the make and model of your car and where you live.

Below, you can find the average valve replacement cost for a range of different models.

Car MakeAverage Price
Audi£405.60
BMW£334.77
Citroen£356.32
Ford£357.62
Mercedes£348.95
MINI£358.03
Nissan£292.74
Peugeot£311.20
Renault£359.99
Toyota£328.38
Vauxhall£322.49
Volkswagen£422.09
Volvo£427.90

Which EGR valve service do I need?

If you’re experiencing problems with your car’s EGR valve, it’s always worth asking a mechanic to double check whether the issues you’re experiencing could be solved by simply cleaning it. Often, this will be all that’s required to get your EGR valve working properly again. However, there are times where you’ll instead need your EGR valve replacing.

  • EGR valve replacement

    The average cost of an EGR valve replacement booked on WhoCanFixMyCar is £371.61. Your Exhaust Gas Recirculation Valve helps to ensure peak performance and economy. When this valve becomes blocked, a specialist mechanic can help to clean it and restore it back to it's original state.

    Can include
    • EGR valve diagnosis
    • EGR valve cleaning
  • Car exhaust repair

    The average cost of an exhaust repair booked on WhoCanFixMyCar is £112.67. Exhaust repairs can range from sealing holes and tightening fittings to replacing parts that have extensive damage. You may need an exhaust repair if you notice a noise or rattle coming from the exhaust.

    Can include
    • Diagnosis
    • Exhaust hole repair
    • Exhaust silencer repair
    • Exhaust replacement
  • Car diagnostic test

    The average cost of a car diagnostic booked on WhoCanFixMyCar is £51.66.

    Car diagnostics testing involves plugging your vehicle into special software that can reveal issues with its engine, electrical system, transmission, braking, exhaust system, and more. A specialist will run tests on your vehicle to expose the cause of any problems you're having with your car.

    Can include
    • Full diagnostic testing
    • Recommended repairs

Common EGR valve problems

The most common issue that you’ll experience with your car’s EGR valve is the valve getting blocked.

Over time, carbon deposits, soot particles and dirt will build up and stick to the EGR valve and passages. When it gets particularly bad, they can be completely clogged up. This is particularly common if you do a lot of urban driving – motorway driving tends to be much kinder on the EGR valve as longer, faster journeys get your engine hotter, which helps to get rid of carbon deposits.

If you think your EGR valve is blocked, you can try to clean it yourself by revving the gas up and attempting to blow the soot out of the valve. This process takes up a lot of oxygen, and as a result, the gases aren’t recirculated and the valve is cleaned out. It’s worth trying this before going to a mechanic as it may well solve any issues you’re having and avoid you having to splash out on a repair or replacement.

Top warning signs your EGR valve needs replacing

Most of the time, there’ll be clear warning signs that something’s not quite right with your EGR valve. Knowing what to look for can help you identify the problem early on. If you spot any of these symptoms, try cleaning your EGR valve as described above. If that doesn’t work, it’s best to head to a garage.

  • Your car feels bumpy when driving

  • You notice you’re using more fuel 

  • Your car stalls when idling (that’s when you leave your engine running while you’re parked)

  • You can smell fuel

  • The relevant warning light is lit up on your dashboard 

  • Your car is producing more emissions than usual

  • You can hear a knocking noise coming from the engine 

  • You see black smoke or soot coming from the exhaust

  • Your car feels heavy or slow when you press the accelerator 

When do I need to replace my EGR valve?

If you notice any of the symptoms above, then you’ll need to have a professional look at your EGR valve and tell you whether it needs cleaning, repairing or replacing. In some cases, the valve just needs cleaning as it’s clogged up and dirty and can’t function properly. Cleaning the EGR valve can result in the performance of your engine improving enormously, but if it doesn’t seem better after a clean, then you should consult a professional to see if you need a repair or replacement. 

Either way, it’s really important to get any issues with your EGR valve resolved. Not only will a faulty or blocked EGR valve create a lot of unnecessary pollution, but it will usually affect the performance of your car too. For example, you might find you have trouble accelerating or your car loses power. You’ll also find that you need to put more fuel in your car for the same journey, which means you could end up spending more on petrol! Ultimately, resolving any issues with your EGR valve is good for both you and the environment.

What impacts the cost of EGR valve replacement?

Several factors can impact the cost of getting your EGR valve repaired or replaced. Knowing what they are can help you understand what to expect. Here are the main ones:

  • The make and model of your car.

  • Where you get the work done (a dealership will often be more expensive than an independent garage or mechanic).

  • The brand of the parts used.

  • Whether your EGR valve is connected to the cooling system in the engine (this can make repairs more complicated).

How much does it cost to clean an EGR valve versus EGR valve replacement cost?

Cleaning your EGR valve will generally be much cheaper than replacing it. This is because, if you need a replacement, you’ll be paying for both the new EGR valve part and the labour time required to fit it, which can take a few hours. It’s a good idea to check and clean your valve every 50,000 miles or so to avoid costly and time consuming repairs in the future. 

Find garages near you

An EGR valve replacement is generally a relatively straightforward job that any mechanic or garage will be able to do for you. To get the work done at the best price, we’d always recommend getting a few quotes from garages near you and comparing them. You’ll usually find that you can get the work done cheaper by going to a local, independent garage as opposed to a dealership.

Get your EGR valve repaired at home

An EGR valve replacement can usually be carried out at your home. A mobile mechanic can come to you to save you the hassle of having to take your car to a garage. Getting your EGR valve replaced by a mobile mechanic may even be cheaper as, if they’re not attached to a garage, they won’t have the same overheads.

How long do EGR valves last?

That will depend on how much you drive, as the recommended time for checking your EGR valve is based on distance. Check your valve every 50,000 miles, or sooner if you experience any of the warning signs listed above. 

How often should you clean your EGR valve?

Manufacturers usually suggest that you should clean your EGR valve every 50,000 or so miles, but there’s nothing to stop you from doing it more often if you want to take every precaution.

How much does a new EGR valve cost?

The average cost of an EGR replacement on WhoCanFixMyCar is £371.61. However, the exact cost will depend on the make and model of your car as well as several other factors. Use our quote tool to get a clearer idea of costs for your particular car and location. 

Does EGR valve replacement come under warranty?

That depends on the cause of the damage to your EGR valve. Most warranties don’t cover wear and tear, so it’s unlikely that your warranty will cover the cost of clearing soot or carbon from your EGR valve. However, if the issues you’re experiencing with your EGR valve are due to mechanical failure, a replacement may be covered. We’d recommend looking at your warranty to check.

Is EGR valve replacement covered by insurance?

Not normally, as a buildup of carbon or soot on your valve would usually be classed as wear and tear. Most car insurance policies won’t cover repairs or replacements due to general wear and tear over time, so unless there’s a mechanical fault with your valve, you’ll usually have to cover the cost of repairs yourself. 

Do I need to get an EGR valve replacement for a leased car?

Yes, if you are experiencing issues with your EGR valve and a mechanic has advised you that it needs to be replaced, you’ll usually be responsible for arranging this yourself. This is because you’ll normally be responsible for maintaining the vehicle. That said, always check the wording of your lease to be sure.

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