Despite the long service life of a fuel pump, a failure occasionally occurs, which can lead to the car coming to a standstill. In order to keep a car continuously supplied with fuel, it is important that the fuel pump is working properly. Find out what the average fuel pump replacement cost in the UK is and what symptoms you should look out for. Plus: Get free estimates!
How much does fuel pump replacement cost in the UK?
On average: £200-£400, but prices can vary extremely
The costs also vary depending on the type of fuel pump, the construction of the vehicle, the associated spare part prices and the effort required for the change. The possible price range is a staggering £100-£1,200.
This applies to both the material costs for the fuel pump (between £50-£700) and the labour costs for the replacement (between £50-£500, depending on the hourly rate and the time required for the change).
For fuel pump replacement, it is therefore more important than for any other repair to compare prices in advance and find good value for money. To do this, you can use the free regional price comparison on our site.
So depending on whether you own a Ford Transit, Ford Focus, Audi A3 or BMW 1 series, for example, the cost will vary. Below is an example of fuel pump replacement cost for a Ford Transit:
Example: Fuel pump replacement cost – Ford Transit | |
|---|---|
Overview | Cost |
New fuel pump | £500 |
Labour cost | £180 |
Total cost | £680 |
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What is a fuel pump and what does it do?
The fuel pump is electrically operated in most of today’s vehicles. They are mainly designed as so- called flow pumps. The fuel is transported to the injection unit via a paddle or impeller inside the pump.
The fuel pump does not regulate the fuel flow, but continuously delivers the fuel to the injection unit. Unused fuel is returned to the fuel tank via a return line. In most modern vehicles, the fuel pump itself is located directly in the fuel tank.
What are signs and symptoms of a fuel pump failure?
- The engine does not run as smoothly as usual
- The engine stalls or suddenly stops while driving
- Your vehicle has limited power
- Alternatively: When accelerating, the engine reacts much better and more intensively than usual
- The car does not start
- The car starts with difficulty or does not always start at the first attempt.
- Your vehicle has strikingly poor exhaust emission values
All these symptoms can point to an impending failure of the fuel pump. However, other factors cannot be ruled out as causes. If all of these factors occur together, it is highly probable that the fuel pump is beginning to fail.
What happens during fuel pump replacement?
The fuel tank is usually located under the rear seat, which must be removed if necessary. Furthermore, it may be necessary to remove parts of the trim or carpets in order to access the cover to the tank or the fuel pump and to loosen it. Now the fuel pump can be replaced. To do this, first disconnect the electrical connections and then the fuel hoses.
The hoses must be closed again as soon as possible after pulling them off to prevent fuel from escaping. After loosening the remaining screws, the fuel pump can be pulled out of the tank.
To install the new fuel pump, proceed in reverse order. During installation, it is recommended that only new seals are used and that hoses, lines and connections are also checked for wear at this opportunity.
How long does the garage need for fuel pump replacement?
Changing a fuel pump usually takes between half an hour and up to five hours. The exact time required depends greatly on the construction of the vehicle.
Can I replace the fuel pump myself and save money?
You should really only consider this if you have the relevant experience. If you have little experience with car repair and components, you should leave the work to a well-trained specialist workshop. This is because you are working on the on-board current of the vehicle as well as directly on the fuel and the associated gases when replacing it.
Without experience and especially without the appropriate safety equipment, you should never carry out the fuel pump replacement yourself. In such a case, the specialist workshop is the better contact, especially since such a replacement is a simple routine job there and can be done in a relatively short time.
How can I reduce my fuel pump replacement costs?
As mentioned earlier, fuel pump replacements are among the jobs with the most extreme price range. The type of fuel pump, the car model, the garage and the region you are in can all have a major impact on the price. For this reason, it is always a good idea to get free estimates from your region, compare garage reviews and find the best value for money.
