Cooling · Car

Thermostat cost

£80 – £280Independent garage · Family car, SUV · United Kingdom
Book time 1 – 2 hMain dealer £115 – £470Difficulty Experienced DIYer

By vehicle type

PartsLabourIndependent garageMain dealer
City car£25 – £65£50 – £180£70 – £245£105 – £425
Family car, SUV£30 – £100£50 – £180£80 – £280£115 – £470
Premium£65 – £200£50 – £180£110 – £380£155 – £605

Total incl. VAT · United Kingdom

By country

CountryHourly rateIndependent garageMain dealer
France€65 – €140€85 – €290€115 – €425
Belgium€60 – €125€85 – €280€110 – €395
SwitzerlandCHF 110 – CHF 210CHF 135 – CHF 450CHF 175 – CHF 615
Germany€80 – €190€100 – €350€135 – €525
Austria€85 – €185€105 – €365€140 – €515
Spain€45 – €90€70 – €235€85 – €320
Italy€40 – €80€65 – €230€85 – €300
Portugal€35 – €75€60 – €205€80 – €290
Netherlands€75 – €150€95 – €320€125 – €445
United Kingdom£60 – £170£80 – £280£115 – £470

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 thermostat cost?

At an independent garage, expect £80 to £280, parts and labour included. Main dealer: £115 – £470.

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 – 2 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.