Engine · Volkswagen Polo · City car

Volkswagen Polo head gasket cost

£510 – £1,395Independent garage · United Kingdom
Book time 5.5 – 11.5 hMain dealer £760 – £2,415Parts £165 – £370Difficulty Professionals only

By country

CountryPartsLabourIndependent garageMain dealer
France€180 – €400€370 – €1,025€550 – €1,425€750 – €2,115
Belgium€185 – €410€340 – €970€525 – €1,375€695 – €1,955
SwitzerlandCHF 245 – CHF 540CHF 625 – CHF 1,710CHF 870 – CHF 2,250CHF 1,135 – CHF 3,095
Germany€180 – €400€455 – €1,370€635 – €1,770€890 – €2,685
Austria€185 – €410€485 – €1,425€670 – €1,835€925 – €2,645
Spain€175 – €390€255 – €740€430 – €1,130€545 – €1,530
Italy€175 – €390€230 – €685€405 – €1,075€515 – €1,420
Portugal€175 – €390€200 – €570€375 – €960€485 – €1,360
Netherlands€185 – €410€425 – €1,195€610 – €1,605€810 – €2,240
United Kingdom£165 – £370£340 – £1,025£510 – £1,395£760 – £2,415

What changes the price

On the Volkswagen Polo, access takes on average 5% less time than the average for its class (city car), where the range is £525 – £1,450.

The quote should state whether the cylinder head is checked and skimmed (machining, €150 to €350 subcontracted). Without that check the repair often does not last.

Volkswagen Polo: other repairs

Oil and filter change£60 – £125Full manufacturer service£130 – £310Front brake pads£70 – £150Front brake discs and pads£135 – £285Rear brake pads£75 – £165Timing belt kit with water pump£255 – £660Timing chain kit£570 – £1,485Clutch kit£365 – £875Clutch and dual-mass flywheel£745 – £1,510Car battery£85 – £190Alternator£205 – £535Starter motor£165 – £490Front shock absorbers£180 – £400EGR valve£225 – £620Diesel particulate filter (DPF)£455 – £1,085Turbocharger£585 – £1,340Water pump£120 – £390Air conditioning regas£55 – £150Diesel injector£195 – £535Catalytic converter£285 – £765Spark plugs£45 – £160

Frequently asked questions

How much does a head gasket volkswagen polo cost?

At an independent garage, expect £510 to £1,395, parts and labour included. Main dealer: £760 – £2,415.

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. Volkswagen Polo: 5.5 – 11.5 h.

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.

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.