Engine · Car

Auxiliary belt and tensioner cost

£105 – £255Independent garage · Family car, SUV · United Kingdom
Book time 1 – 1.5 hMain dealer £145 – £410Difficulty Experienced DIYer

By vehicle type

PartsLabourIndependent garageMain dealer
City car£35 – £85£50 – £135£85 – £220£120 – £365
Family car, SUV£55 – £120£50 – £135£105 – £255£145 – £410
Premium£90 – £210£50 – £135£140 – £345£185 – £530

Total incl. VAT · United Kingdom

By country

CountryHourly rateIndependent garageMain dealer
France€65 – €140€110 – €265€145 – €380
Belgium€60 – €125€110 – €260€140 – €360
SwitzerlandCHF 110 – CHF 210CHF 170 – CHF 400CHF 215 – CHF 545
Germany€80 – €190€125 – €310€165 – €455
Austria€85 – €185€130 – €320€170 – €450
Spain€45 – €90€95 – €225€115 – €300
Italy€40 – €80€90 – €215€110 – €285
Portugal€35 – €75€85 – €200€105 – €275
Netherlands€75 – €150€120 – €290€155 – €395
United Kingdom£60 – £170£105 – £255£145 – £410

Family car, SUV. Method

What changes the price

  • The hourly rate: it can double between a small-town independent and a city-centre dealer.

  • Parts quality: genuine, original-equipment brand or aftermarket.

  • Access: on some engines other parts must come off before the mechanic can reach the job.

Related problems

Frequently asked questions

How much does a auxiliary belt and tensioner cost?

At an independent garage, expect £105 to £255, parts and labour included. Main dealer: £145 – £410.

Why is the dealer more expensive?

Dealer hourly rates run 40 to 60% higher on average, and genuine parts cost more than their original-equipment equivalents. Under EU rules, servicing outside the dealer network does not void the manufacturer warranty.

What is book time?

It is the reference time set for a given job. Garages bill that time even if they work faster. If a quote shows far more hours than book time, ask why. Book time: 1 – 1.5 h.

Data updated October 2026. Indicative estimate. MecaScan cannot see your vehicle: always have a diagnosis confirmed by a professional, and never work on brakes, steering or airbags without the skills.