What should that repair cost?

The calculator returns the typical UK 2026 range an independent garage would charge — drawn from DVSA fee schedules, ONS regional wage data, WhatCar/RAC cost surveys, and published industry repair times. Real quotes from a specific garage will vary by car age, parts brand, condition, and local competition. Always confirm with a written quote before authorising work.

Main dealers typically charge 30–50% more than independent garages for the same work. Three reasons: higher labour rates (often £140–£200/hr vs £50–£80/hr at indies), OE-only parts pricing, and dealer overheads. Independents using OE-equivalent parts can legally service a car under warranty thanks to the EU Block Exemption Regulation (retained in UK law post-Brexit).

EV repairs need a technician with a Level 3+ electrically qualified certificate, which fewer independent garages have. Parts cost more too — brake discs are larger, wheel bearings carry heavier loads, and 12V auxiliary work involves high-voltage safety procedures. EV brakes typically last 2–3x longer than petrol thanks to regen braking, so total cost of ownership often evens out.

An interim service (every 6 months / 6,000 miles) covers oil, oil filter, and a multi-point inspection — typically £80–£140 at an indie. A full service (every 12 months / 12,000 miles) adds air filter, cabin filter, brake fluid check, more detailed inspections, and sometimes spark plugs — typically £150–£280. A major service every 2–3 years adds gearbox oil, coolant flush and timing belt inspection (£280–£400+).

Yes, especially with independent garages. The best leverage is multiple written quotes from comparable garages — most will match or beat a lower quote within 10%. Ask whether parts are OE-equivalent or aftermarket; ask for a labour-time breakdown; and ask whether the diagnostic fee is refunded against the repair. Don't haggle on safety-critical parts like brakes — go for the lower labour rate, not cheap pads.

The DVSA caps the Class 4 MOT fee at £54.85 (cars and light vans up to 3,000 kg). Most independent garages charge £30–£50; supermarket-attached fast-fits sometimes £20–£30. Main dealers usually charge the full cap. Free re-tests within 10 working days are mandatory if you fix the failure at the same garage.

Independent garage labour rates broadly track ONS wage data for the automotive trades. London and the South East are highest (£75–£120/hr indep) because of property and labour costs. The Midlands and North range £45–£80/hr, Wales and Northern Ireland sit lower — but Scotland runs slightly above the England average in transaction data, so don't assume north equals cheap. Main dealers add a flat premium of 30–50% regardless of region.

Around £76 per hour at an independent garage. Garage Industry Trends' transaction data (1m+ real workshop invoices) put the UK independent average at £75.87/hr in December 2024, up 2.5% across 2024, and the What Car? survey of 279 independent garages found £76/hr including VAT in 2023 — with the inside-M25 average at £105/hr. Franchised dealers charge substantially more: fleet data from March 2026 shows £93/hr for dealers against £55/hr for independents, and retail walk-in rates sit higher still.

Check it three ways. First, compare the total against the calculator's range for your job, car type and region. Second, ask for an itemised breakdown — parts, labour hours times rate, VAT — and compare the hourly rate against your region's typical range. Third, get two or three written quotes: published surveys show garages a few miles apart can differ by £50+/hr. Remember a quote is binding while an estimate can move, extra work needs your authorisation first, and if no price was agreed the Consumer Rights Act 2015 only entitles the garage to a reasonable charge.