1. VANOS System Failure
Total Cost: £1,200 - £2,500
What Goes Wrong:
- Seals degradation
- Solenoid failure
- Metal debris in oil channels
- Complete unit failure
- VANOS unit rebuild kit: £280-350
- Solenoids (if needed): £180-220 each
- Labour (6-8 hours): £480-640
- Additional parts (gaskets, bolts): £100-150
- If complete unit replacement needed: +£900
- Often leads to timing chain wear
- Can damage camshafts if left untreated
- May require valve adjustment after repair
Total Cost: £2,000 - £3,500
What Goes Wrong:
- Mounting points crack
- Floor pan tears
- Structural integrity compromise
- Reinforcement plates: £200-300
- Professional welding: £1,000-1,500
- Paint and underseal: £400-600
- Labour (15-20 hours): £1,200-1,600
- Often reveals hidden rust issues
- May require rear suspension rebuild
- Can affect boot floor integrity
Total Cost: £1,500 - £2,800
What Goes Wrong:
- Radiator plastic end tanks crack
- Water pump impeller failure
- Expansion tank rupture
- Thermostat housing leaks
- Radiator: £200-300
- Water pump: £180-250
- Expansion tank: £120-150
- Thermostat + housing: £150-200
- All hoses: £200-300
- Labour (8-10 hours): £640-800
- Coolant: £60-80
- Can lead to head gasket failure
- May warp cylinder head if overheated
- Often requires bleeding ABS system after
Total Cost: £2,000 - £3,000
What Goes Wrong:
- Ball joints wear
- Control arm bushings deteriorate
- Shock absorbers leak
- Springs crack
- Control arms (front): £280-320 pair
- Thrust arms: £200-240 pair
- Trailing arms: £300-360 pair
- Shocks: £400-600 set
- Springs: £200-250 set
- All bushings: £300-400
- Labour (12-15 hours): £960-1,200
Total Cost: £2,500 - £4,000
What Goes Wrong:
- Valve body failure
- Torque converter failure
- Internal clutch pack wear
- Mechatronic unit failure
- Rebuilt transmission: £1,800-2,500
- Torque converter: £400-600
- Mechatronic unit (if needed): £800-1,000
- Labour (8-10 hours): £640-800
- Fluid and filter: £200-250
- Often requires driveshaft inspection
- May need new transmission mounts
- Could reveal DMF issues
Total Cost: £1,800 - £3,000
What Goes Wrong:
- Gasket failure
- Warped head
- Cracked head
- Valve stem seals degradation
- Head gasket set: £150-200
- Head skimming: £200-300
- Valve stem seals: £100-150
- Timing chain kit: £300-400
- Labour (12-15 hours): £960-1,200
- Additional parts: £200-300
- Often requires timing chain replacement
- May need new valves
- Could reveal bore wear issues
Total Cost: £1,500 - £2,500
What Goes Wrong:
- ABS unit failure
- Master cylinder failure
- Seized calipers
- Corroded lines
- ABS unit (rebuilt): £600-800
- Master cylinder: £200-300
- Calipers: £400-500 set
- Brake lines: £200-300
- Labour (8-10 hours): £640-800
- Fluid and bleeding: £80-100
- Often reveals wheel bearing issues
- May need new wheel speed sensors
- Could show up suspension problems
Total Cost: £1,200 - £2,000
What Goes Wrong:
- Valve cover gasket deterioration
- Oil filter housing gaskets fail
- Oil pan gasket leaks
- Rear main seal failure
- All gaskets: £200-300
- Oil pan reseal: £300-400
- Rear main seal: £80-100
- Labour (10-12 hours): £800-960
- Oil and filter: £80-100
- Often reveals timing cover leaks
- May show up VANOS seal issues
- Could indicate head gasket problems
Total Cost: £1,500 - £2,500
What Goes Wrong:
- Fuel pump failure
- Injector failure
- Tank sender unit failure
- Fuel line corrosion
- Fuel pump: £300-400
- Injectors: £600-800 set
- Sender unit: £200-250
- Labour (8-10 hours): £640-800
- Fuel lines: £200-300
- Often requires tank removal
- May need new filter and pressure regulator
- Could show electrical issues
Total Cost: £1,200 - £2,000
What Goes Wrong:
- Compressor failure
- Evaporator leaks
- Condenser damage
- Expansion valve failure
- Compressor: £400-500
- Condenser: £200-300
- Evaporator: £300-400
- Labour (8-10 hours): £640-800
- Gas and oil: £100-150
- Often requires heater valve replacement
- May show up blower motor issues
- Could indicate electrical problems
- All prices include VAT
- Labour rates calculated at £80/hour (average UK specialist rate)
- Prices can vary significantly based on:
- Your location
- Parts availability
- Specific model variant
- Whether using OEM or aftermarket parts - These repairs often overlap - fixing one issue might reveal others
- Prevention is always cheaper than cure - regular maintenance is crucial
- Get multiple quotes
- Consider quality aftermarket parts
- Address issues early before they cascade
- Find a trustworthy independent specialist
- Join owner's clubs for recommendations and advice
