Car audio specialists & radio repairs

Compare car stereo repair or replacement specialist garages

Car stereo mp3 and cd player

What is car audio?

Car audio is fitted in a car or other vehicle to make available in-car entertainment and information for those inside the vehicle. Up until the 1950s it consisted of a simple AM radio.

Contemporary car radios have become quite multifaceted now with the introduction of infotainment centres, full-car surround sound, built-in navigation, and other functionalities. That means repairing car audio isn’t as simple as it once was, and often requires a skilled technician.  

There are many potential causes for why your car audio might unexpectedly stop working. There could be complications internally or externally, such as a problem with the power source or wiring which a technician will be able to diagnose.

Car audio repair average costs and prices

The cost of a car audio repairs can vary depending on your car make and model and the problem at hand. The average cost of repairing car audio is on average £88.37 on WhoCanFixMyCar.

Car MakeAverage Price
Audi£81.13
BMW£100.98
Ford£93.44
Mercedes£113.19
MINI£68.19
Nissan£87.10
Peugeot£90.82
Renault£71.70
Toyota£75.80
Vauxhall£98.62
Volkswagen£94.41
Volvo£72.38

Which car audio service do you need?

Car audio centres and specialist garages are well prepared to undertake all manners of repairs in relation to your car’s audio system. They can set up and upgrade stereo systems, car speakers, subwoofers, navigation systems, alarms, immobilisers, and trackers. Car audio specialist mechanics can diagnose and repair any system faults too. Here are some common car audio repair services that you may be looking for:

  • Blown audio fuse

    Car audios generally have one or two fuses, and may also have amp fuses and other component fuses to help bring the system to life. The audio fuse will always be labelled clearly and located in the main fuse box under the steering wheel or built in behind the head unit. If you want a technician to repair or replace the blown audio fuse, then you may find an audio repair garage.

    Can include
    • Diagnosis
    • Fuse Replacement
  • Static on car radio

    The average cost of a audio repair booked on WhoCanFixMyCar is £88.37. When your car radio is cracking, it’s a good idea to change the channel to see if it makes a difference. However, if the static is not going away, or a crackling sound keeps interrupting the sound, then the speakers could be older or broken. The audio repair specialist will most likely recommend that you have your speakers replaced.

    Can include
    • Diagnosis
    • Audio Repair
    • Speakers Replacement
  • Broken infontainment

    The average cost of a audio repairs booked on WhoCanFixMyCar is £88.37. A broken infotainment unit is a complex unit to fix at a regular garage. Sometimes if there are software problems with the infotainment, it might be worth visiting the dealership for a reset.

    Can include
    • Diagnosis
    • Software reset

Top warning signs that your car audio needs to be repaired

Here are some tell tail signs that your car audio may need repairing:  

  • If you find the audio is distorted at medium volumes, resulting in a hissing or fuzzy sound, then this is often a sign of partially blown speakers.

  • Stereo or audio won’t turn on due to blown fuse

  • Audio turns off irregularly may be a wiring issue

Car interior image

Symptoms of car radio issues:

Wondering what the symptoms of a faulty car radio that needs a technician to take a closer look at are? Here are some common symptoms of when your car radio is having problems and needs repairing:

  • Car radio fails to turn on altogether – likely a wiring issue

  • Car radio turns off and on irregularly – check the fuse

  • The radio display and sound goes on and off together – the head unit may not be getting enough power

  • The radio goes off when turning a corner or going over a speed bump – the connector at the back of the radio unit is loose.

Find car audio repair or replacement garages near you

We can help you find local audio repair specialist garages so they can diagnose and replace key parts of the stereo system to get it running smoothly again. No matter what the audio problem you are facing, find and compare quotes from reputable audio specialists near you who will be trained to repair your audio.

We work with over 15,569 garages and have a number of audio repair specialists on our site to deal with any problems arising with your vehicle. Find our more about how WhoCanFixMyCar works.

What do car audio specialists do?

Car Audio Specialists will install and upgrade stereo systems, speakers, subwoofers, navigation systems, alarms, immobilisers and trackers. They will also diagnose and repair system faults.

Can car speakers be fixed?

A blown speaker cone can be repaired with glue or even a needle and thread. However, speakers will gradually degrade over the years, as the paper and rubber components are exposed to moisture. Cracked, hard rubber can't be 'repaired'.

Which car stereo is right for my car?

Older car designs allow a standard-size stereo to 'slot in' in place of the original unit. However the majority of cars on the road today need an adaptor to allow a high-end 'off the shelf' stereo to fit in place of the original. Your Car Audio Centre will guide you through your options.

What can I do if my car radio is getting bad reception?

Bad reception can be caused by something as simple as a loose connection in the aerial wire, or a 'diversity' issue (in which cars have more than one radio aerial.) However, you should consider upgrading to an in-car Digital Radio (DAB) as FM signals will be phased out in due course.

How much does car audio repairs cost?

Repair cost will depend very much on what's involved. Typically, though, the majority of the cost is in the components rather than the labour time, so bear this in mind when choosing.

Do car audio centres take care of trackers and alarms too?

Yes - most Car Audio Centres will install a wide range of security devices including alarms, immobilisers and trackers.

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