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Read MoreHome » Automotive Blog » New Report: Turbo Replacement Costs Hit An All-Time High
Automotive industries have seen a sudden rise in turbo replacement costs due to advancements in modern engines, especially electric vehicles. A turbo is vital to a car’s overall performance and speed. A turbocharger increases the power of a vehicle by sucking the cool air from outside and compressing the air inside to let the car run more proficiently.
The constant production of vehicles has also set a new price bar for turbo replacement, especially regarding OEM parts. The main reason behind the advancement of turbochargers and vehicles is to improve performance and offer maximum speed to car owners. In 2024, installing or replacing a turbo can cost around £2,500 or more. It is predicted to cost more than £3,500 in 2025.
However, the cost goes up to this expected bar for the e-turbochargers. Several factors lead to a prominent increase in the cost of turbocharger replacement. Before understanding those factors, you have to understand turbochargers first.
The constant production of vehicles has also set a new price bar for turbo replacement, especially regarding OEM parts. The main reason behind the advancement of turbochargers and vehicles is to improve performance and offer maximum speed to car owners. In 2024, installing or replacing a turbo can cost around £2,500 or more. It is predicted to cost more than £3,500 in 2025.
However, the cost goes up to this expected bar for the e-turbochargers. Several factors lead to a prominent increase in the cost of turbocharger replacement. Before understanding those factors, you have to understand turbochargers first.
What is a Turbocharger?
To understand the importance and hype surrounding turbocharger prices, you must first understand what an engine is and how it works. In a car or any other vehicle, an engine is responsible for grabbing the air in the combustion chamber by moving pistons and opening intake valves. A turbocharger improves airflow or better regulates air in the combustion chamber.
The downside of turbos is the delay in getting the engine up to speed. It takes time to go from low pressure and RPM to the high levels needed to spin the turbocharger. Unfortunately, a large turbocharger has a long lag. Conversely, a smaller turbocharger will not function or speed up the engine proficiently. Here comes the e-turbocharger!
An e-turbocharger is manufactured to minimise the lag with the help of large electric motors. E-turbochargers were first introduced in 2014 and worked in combination with regenerative braking technology for improved vehicle performance and speed.
The downside of turbos is the delay in getting the engine up to speed. It takes time to go from low pressure and RPM to the high levels needed to spin the turbocharger. Unfortunately, a large turbocharger has a long lag. Conversely, a smaller turbocharger will not function or speed up the engine proficiently. Here comes the e-turbocharger!
An e-turbocharger is manufactured to minimise the lag with the help of large electric motors. E-turbochargers were first introduced in 2014 and worked in combination with regenerative braking technology for improved vehicle performance and speed.
What are the Key Market Growth Drivers for Turbo Replacement Cost?
Several critical factors affect turbochargers’ overall growth and cost, especially in the UK, USA and Europe. Let’s discuss a few fundamental key market growth drivers that play a significant role in the turbo replacement cost hype:
Increased Demand for Automotive Turbo
The increased demand for automotive turbochargers is due to their high efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and environment-friendly characteristics. This increased demand has also fueled the growth of vehicle manufacturing and sales.
Enhancement in Turbocharger Design
The main reason for increasing the valves in automotive turbochargers is to improve their performance and design. Turbocharger manufacturers continuously optimise their design to enhance vehicle performance at various speed ranges.
These overall design enhancements are helping the vehicles to improve their responsiveness, efficiency and optimal engine power.
Improved Fuel Efficiency
The main reason for adopting automotive turbochargers is to improve the fuel efficiency. An enhanced or advanced turbocharger helps to enhance the engine's performance by sucking the air in the combustion chamber more efficiently and offering more power to the engine.
High Environment-Friendliness
Ecoboost turbochargers are more efficient and environment-friendly. These improved key features have also increased their price range. An eco-friendly turbocharger boosts the engine power without piston displacement.
The improved performance of turbochargers has also decreased the number of engine downsizing cases. That’s a big boost for the rapid growth in turbocharger production and replacement costs.
What are the Factors that Affect Turbo Replacement Costs?
Several factors affect the cost of a turbocharger replacement. Let’s take a look at a few factors:
Car Make & Model
Advanced, luxury and high-performing vehicles require high-quality turbochargers. That’s why turbo replacement costs get high for luxury and standard cars.
Type of Turbocharger
As discussed above, enchased turbochargers, such as a few e-turbochargers, cost more than standard turbo. So, the turbocharger replacement cost also depends on the type of turbo you want to install. Besides e-turbochargers, the replacement cost of twin turbochargers is higher than that of single turbochargers.
OEM Parts
Most car owners demand OEM-approved turbochargers to replace their old ones. Choosing an OEM-approved and original turbocharger for your car might cost you more than an old or reused turbocharger.
Garage Charges
Turbo replacement cost depends on which garage, automotive shop or mechanic you choose. A mechanic will include the labor cost and fitting charges whether he installs a reused turbocharger or replace the old one with a new one.
Manufacturer’s Warranty
Unaffected manufacturer warranties are the primary consideration when deciding on car parts replacement. Suppose you want a turbocharger replacement with an unaffected manufacturer’s warranty. In that case, it might cost you more than when the warranty is unchecked, whether for a T4 or T3 turbocharger.
What are the Signs that Indicate the Time for Turbo Replacement?
If you feel your car’s engine is not performing well or you find it difficult to speed up your vehicle. It’s time to check for a faulty turbocharger. Here are a few signs that indicate a defective car turbo:
Low Performance
As discussed earlier, a turbocharger boosts engine power. If you find it difficult to speed up your car or your vehicle performance continuously falls, it’s time for turbo replacement.
Loud Engine Noise
A car engine usually doesn’t make any noise. But if your car turbo is faulty, you can hear the loud noise from the engine. The frequency of noise will get higher when you accelerate.
Blue Smoke
If there is a turbocharger oil leak, you can see the oil clearly in the engine, which significantly creates blue or grey smoke when accelerating.
High Oil Consumption
A turbocharger doesn’t consume too much oil. However, a faulty turbo might intake a high amount of oil. If your car’s turbocharger intakes high crude, it’s time for turbocharger replacement.
Warning Light
Check the engine warning light on the dashboard. If there is an issue with your car's turbocharger, the engine warning light will turn on.
How Much Does Turbo Replacement Cost in the UK?
On average, turbocharger replacement costs around £2,500. However, this cost can vary depending on the car’s make, model, and turbocharger type.
A turbo can cost around £2,000, while the labor cost to replace it can be around £1000.
For most performance vehicles with power engines V6 and V8, replacing a twin turbocharger can cost £6,500. If you are considering replacing your car’s turbocharger, you should also service or tune up your car engine. Engine tune-up can cost around £500. However, getting the engine tune up services completely depends on you.
For most performance vehicles with power engines V6 and V8, replacing a twin turbocharger can cost £6,500. If you are considering replacing your car’s turbocharger, you should also service or tune up your car engine. Engine tune-up can cost around £500. However, getting the engine tune up services completely depends on you.
Can I Drive with a Faulty Turbo?
No, driving a car with a faulty turbo is not recommended. Doing so might damage your car’s engine. It is always recommended that a faulty turbocharger be replaced as soon as possible.
If you delay the turbo replacement, it might result in significant damage and fixing costs. Oil from a leaky or faulty turbo can go into the catalytic converter, which might lead to a complete loss.
If you delay the turbo replacement, it might result in significant damage and fixing costs. Oil from a leaky or faulty turbo can go into the catalytic converter, which might lead to a complete loss.
How Long Does it Take to Replace Turbocharger?
The exact time it takes to replace the car turbo varies based on conditions and circumstances. In the automotive garage, it takes between 2 and 8 hours to replace the turbocharger of any car make and model. On average, a turbo replacement requires 3-4 hours.
How Can You Reduce the Turbo Replacement Cost? Replace Turbocharger?
To cut the cost of turbocharger replacement, here are a few maintenance tips you can follow:
- Maintain and safety checks the turbocharger regularly
- Choose a professional turbo replacement garage
- Don’t ignore the faulty symptoms of turbocharger
- Take proper care of the turbocharger
- Change the turbo oil when needed
London Motor Sports could be a leading choice if you are in London, UK, and looking for high-end turbo replacement services! The best part is that you can contact our professionals to get customised quotes and early price estimates.
No matter what car make, model, and type you have, we ensure to offer OEM-approved turbo replacement services. So, there is no chance of affected warranties when LMS is here for 100% genuine and reliable replacement services. Call us now to book your next turbo replacement appointment!
No matter what car make, model, and type you have, we ensure to offer OEM-approved turbo replacement services. So, there is no chance of affected warranties when LMS is here for 100% genuine and reliable replacement services. Call us now to book your next turbo replacement appointment!
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