Your radiator keeps your engine at a safe operating temperature by dispersing heat and circulating coolant effectively. If it fails, the most likely symptom you’ll notice is an overheating engine or smoke/steam billowing from the bonnet. This may be accompanied by the temperature warning light on your dashboard.
If your car is struggling to keep itself cool, it’s very likely that you won’t be able to drive it anywhere, creating an incredibly stressful situation.
If you’ve noticed low coolant levels, a brightly coloured leak under the car or suffered a breakdown due to overheating, you need to get the problem fixed quickly.
When Should I Book a Radiator Repair?
If you’ve noticed any of the following, it’s time to book a radiator repair near you:
Low coolant levels
A brightly coloured leak under the car
Rust or visible damage on the radiator when you inspect the engine bay
Likewise, any issues with overheating suggest a problem with your car’s radiator so you should book a repair as soon as you notice smoke/steam coming from under the bonnet.
What if My Radiator Isn’t to Blame?
A car’s cooling system is quite complex, and a failing radiator may not be your main problem.
A coolant leak, inefficient or low-quality coolant and problems moving coolant around the system can all cause your radiator to fail by placing it under more strain.
If you notice a brightly coloured puddle under your car (usually green, pink or orange) or low coolant levels within the reservoir, there’s likely a leak somewhere in the system which needs fixing.
Likewise, if your coolant isn’t as brightly coloured as it should be or there are bits floating in it, you should book a coolant change as soon as possible.
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These are just some of the reasons to choose BookMyGarage - enter your reg and postcode to see how we can help you make a confident, informed choice when booking your car's radiator repair now.
Learn More About Your Car’s Radiator
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Frequently asked questions
We strongly advise against repairing your radiator if you don't have any mechanical experience because you can cause serious long-term damage and put your safety at risk with a sub-standard radiator repair.
Circulating tap or distilled water is better than no fluid at all, but it’s not a long-term alternative to engine coolant.
Once you’ve got your car home or to a local garage, you should look to replace the water in your system with the correct coolant for your engine to maximise its protection.
If they’ve also been rewarded with a Silver, Gold or Top Tier badge – highlighting them as one of the very best garages near you – you can have even more confidence in your decision.
Unfortunately, we’re currently unable to show which garages offer these services. Some may display it on their listings with custom banners, but you may need to contact your preferred garage directly if this is something you need.
To book a mobile radiator repair, select ‘Only Mobile Mechanics’ from the left-hand sidebar. This will filter out static garages from the results, only showing options that meet your needs.
It can also lead to repeated breakdowns and potential MOT failures, which all incur additional stress and costs.
Your chosen garage will be able to provide an accurate quote once they have inspected the damage.
The average repair usually takes around 1.5 hours, but your chosen garage will be able to give you a more accurate estimate after inspecting your car.
During colder periods water can freeze once the temperature reaches 0°C, and expand into ice crystals within the reservoir.
In the warmer months, water can turn into steam as a result of high pressure within the engine.
As you can imagine, water can cause real damage in either circumstance.
When it is time to replenish coolant levels, there are two ways to do so.
You can buy engine coolant as a pre-mixed solution, which is usually made up of a 50:50 ratio of distilled water to antifreeze.
Alternatively, you can mix a 50:50 ratio of distilled water to antifreeze yourself, so that the antifreeze can regulate the boiling point of the liquid.
If you choose to take the latter approach, you should bear in mind that the water you use should always be bottled or distilled.
Tap water contains minerals which can cause damage to the engine, and may even clog or corrode the radiator pipes.
Topping up with water can help you drive to the nearest garage - as long as you keep an eye on the temperature gauge or warning lamp.
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Radiator Repairs Costs by Make
Live price ranges across our network of UK garages
| Vehicle Make & Model | General Repair |
|---|---|
| Ford Fiesta1.0–1.5L | £20–£3,224 |
| Ford Fiesta1.6–2.4L | £20–£3,224 |
| Ford Fiesta2.5L+ | £20–£3,224 |
| Renault Clio1.0–1.5L | £20–£3,224 |
| Renault Clio1.6–2.4L | £20–£3,224 |
| Renault Clio2.5L+ | £20–£3,224 |
| Peugeot 1081.0–1.5L | £20–£3,224 |
| Vauxhall Corsa1.0–1.5L | £20–£3,224 |
| Vauxhall Corsa1.6–2.4L | £20–£3,224 |
| Vauxhall Corsa2.5L+ | £20–£3,224 |
| Volkswagen Golf1.0–1.5L | £20–£3,224 |
| Volkswagen Golf1.6–2.4L | £20–£3,224 |
| Volkswagen Golf2.5L+ | £20–£3,224 |
| Nissan Qashqai1.0–1.5L | £20–£3,224 |
| Nissan Qashqai1.6–2.4L | £20–£3,224 |
| Nissan Qashqai2.5L+ | £20–£3,224 |
| BMW X51.0–1.5L | £20–£3,224 |
| BMW X51.6–2.4L | £20–£3,224 |
| BMW X52.5L+ | £20–£3,224 |
| Audi A11.0–1.5L | £20–£3,224 |
| Audi A11.6–2.4L | £20–£3,224 |
| Toyota Aygo1.0–1.5L | £20–£3,224 |
| Toyota Aygo1.6–2.4L | £20–£3,224 |
| Hyundai Tucson1.6–2.4L | £20–£3,224 |
| Hyundai Tucson2.5L+ | £20–£3,224 |
Why Should You Choose BookMyGarage for Your Radiator Repairs?
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