In most cars, the gearbox is not actually that close to the gearstick. There is a linkage of either cables or rods that translates your gear selection to gear changes in the box. 

However, these linkages can wear out, become stiff or break over time and use. This article will cover the various costs associated with having your gearbox linkage repaired. 

How much does it cost to repair a gear linkage?

In general, a gearbox linkage repair costs between £70 and £400, depending on the cause of the problem and the parts needed to repair it. 

A simple bushing replacement can cost as little as £70 if the main linkage mechanism or cables are okay and not stretched or damaged.

Replacing gear shifter cables typically costs over £200, if using parts from the manufacturer – which is generally recommended, for smooth shifting without alignment or adjustment issues.

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Gear linkages connect the gearstick to the gearbox, allowing the driver to change gears. They are present in most cars.

In most modern cars, the gearbox is under/beside the engine, meaning the gearstick in the passenger compartment is a few feet away. This means a system of linkage bars and pivots, or cables, is needed to actuate the gearbox selector lever. 

The only cars that don’t usually feature a gear linkage system are rear wheel drive ones, which have the gearbox situated in the transmission tunnel, between the driver and passenger. In these cars, the gearstick often connects straight to the gearbox.

In general, gearbox linkages just deteriorate with age and use. They typically have numerous joints, pivots and moving parts that are often subject to road dirt and water. Over time, these parts wear as they rub together. 

Due to the precise nature of a gearbox, it does not take much wear in the linkage to cause issues selecting gears. 

Another fault that can appear as a gearbox linkage problem is the engine mounts. They are there to allow the engine to move slightly, absorbing vibration.

However, when they become overly worn, the engine can jolt under acceleration or gear changes, causing issues selecting and retaining gears. 

Symptoms of a worn or broken gear linkage

It’s usually pretty easy to tell if a gear linkage is worn or broken. Look out for the following:

It is highly recommended that you don't drive a damaged or broken gear linkage. Not only can it cause internal problems to worsen, but it is likely to leave you stranded, unable to select gears.

Instead, get the car to a garage as soon as possible, and have the linkage inspected and repaired.

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 has been writing about cars for over eight years and writing for Bumper for over three, blending his passion for automobiles with a talent for storytelling.

Joseph has written about engineering and cars for Autozilla, Komaspec, and several engineering manufacturers. When he's not writing or tinkering with one of his cars, Joseph dreams of owning an Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale.

How much does gearbox linkage cost to repair?

Leaking fuel is a major problem; it poses an immediate danger of fire, and also produces fumes that are harmful if breathed. It’s important to get any issues with your fuel system repaired as soon as possible. 

This guide explains how much it’s likely to cost, and what the potential causes of your fuel leak are.

It can cost anywhere from £30 to £1,600 to repair a fuel leak. The exact cost will depend on the component that is causing the leak and how long it takes to find and fix that issue.

The best-case scenario is that your fuel cap is not sealing properly. This is worth checking yourself, and could cost as little as £30 to replace, if the seal or mechanism is broken. Check for telltale signs of marks underneath your filler cap, especially after filling up.

Damaged fuel filters can also be the cause of a leak; it will often be from the rear of the car. Expect to pay around £60-90 for a new filter, or £200-500 for a filter housing replacement, if it’s broken.

A damaged fuel line is another common cause of a fuel leak. If it's a small, easy-to-access one fuel line, it could be fixed for around £120 and £300 (or more, if it's a larger, more expensive part).

A split in the fuel tank or the tank filler pipe can cost between £300 and £900 to fix. They are generally not repairable and will need to be replaced. If bought from a dealer, these parts can be expensive and require a few hours to replace.

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It’s important to address a potential fuel leak as quickly as possible. If you notice any of the following, be sure to get the car checked out as soon as possible:

Modern cars tend to use plastic or rubber fuel tanks, filler pipes and fuel lines. These are susceptible to both physical damage from debris flicked up from the road surface and ageing over time.

Other components, such as seals and gaskets, can harden over time, causing them to no longer seal against the fuel pressure inside the system. 

In some cases, yes, using E10 fuel can cause fuel leaks, mainly in older cars. In late 2021, E10 fuel became the standard type of fuel sold at UK petrol stations. It differs from the older E5 fuel by having 5% more ethanol in it – hence the name.

The main issue with this new, higher ethanol fuel is that the fuel lines used in older cars are not resistant to ethanol. It can therefore degrade and break down the rubber faster, causing leaks. 

This is predominantly only an issue with cars made prior to 2010, but it’s important to check your car’s compatibility to be sure. Use the 

As soon as you notice a fuel leak, you should have the car inspected urgently. Not only does a fuel leak pose a fire hazard, but the fumes from it are also extremely dangerous if breathed in. 

In many cases, garages will offer to check over the car for a small fixed charge, only charging more once the problem has been identified. Be wary of garages that offer free checkups as an incentive to get you in the door.

No, you should not drive a car that has a known fuel leak. As mentioned above it can be extremely dangerous, even if the car is a diesel. It could also cause further issues with the car, including damaging fuel pumps and allowing air into the system.

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How much does it cost to repair a fuel leak?

Limp mode or limp home mode, is your car's way of protecting itself from a minor issue causing a lot of damage. It can be triggered by any number of faults or erroneous sensor readings, meaning it can sometimes be difficult to fix. 

In this article, we’ll explore the potential costs of repairing whatever is causing the limp mode and how to investigate further. 

How much does it cost to repair a car in limp mode?

Repairing a car in limp mode can cost anything from £45 to £2,000+, depending the cause of the problem. Unfortunately, the cause could be one of hundreds of issues.

The first thing to do is have a diagnostic scan done; some garages will charge around £50 as a starting cost to have the fault codes read. This should tell them what the cause of the problem is.

Below are some common causes of limp mode and their associated repair costs.

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Limp mode is when a car's ECU temporarily limits the power the engine can produce when a fault is present. The fault is likely to be detected by one or more of the sensors on the engine or exhaust.

In general, a car will have 10-20% of its normal power output whilst in limp home mode, allowing you just enough power to get the car to the side of the road safely. 

There are many faults that can cause a car to go into limp mode, ranging from minor sensor faults to blown engines and other major issues. This is done to protect the engine and other components from further damage. 

For example, if the car detects a serious misfire, it will engage limp mode to protect the engine and catalytic converter from the effects of over-fuelling.

If the car has gone into limp mode, then the ECU will almost certainly have stored the error code. Connecting to the car via the OBD port with a suitable diagnostic tool will enable the codes to be read.

From there, systems can be further investigated, or parts replaced to fix the root cause of the limp mode event. Once parts have been changed or repaired, the car’s ECU can be cleared of fault codes, removing any warning lights on the dashboard. This also means any existing or new faults will be clearly identifiable.

Many faults can cause limp mode; it can also be caused by a faulty sensor, despite there not being a fault present at all. Below are some common faults that are likely to cause limp mode, though be mindful that this list is far from exhaustive:

Only to get the car to a safe place, such as a layby or refuge area on a motorway. In limp home mode, the car will have too little power to drive on the road safely, making roundabouts and junctions very dangerous. 

Whether the underlying issue is an inexpensive sensor or a major engine issue, it can often mount up to a large repair bill, accounting for diagnostics, parts and labour. 

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How much does it cost to repair limp mode?

With alloy wheels getting bigger, cars getting heavier, and road conditions seeming to get worse, it’s no surprise that more and more drivers are finding alloy wheel damage an increasingly common occurrence. Thankfully, buckled car wheels can be repaired, but what is that likely to cost?

How much does it cost to repair a buckled wheel?

Minor dents in your alloy wheels can be repaired for around £70 to £100 each, depending on the severity and location of the damage. In many cases, further damage to the same wheel can be repaired at the same time. 

More severe dents or buckles could cost more, or may not even be possible to fix, meaning you could need a new alloy. Dealership prices can range from £250 to £700+, depending on the size and type of wheel. 

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If your alloy wheel has a crack in it following an impact with a large pothole or kerb, repairing it can cost between £60 and £180, depending on the size of the crack and wheel. 

Be sure to use a reputable repair centre for alloy wheel crack repair. Not all alloy wheel cracks can be repaired; if the damage is very bad, the wheel should be replaced entirely.

Yes, although they require more care than steel wheels to repair, alloy wheels can be repaired. To ensure the material does not fracture, repairers often heat up the metal first. 

In many cases, dented alloy wheels need to be repaired on a specialist machine that accurately balances the wheel between operations, making the end result perfectly balanced and unlikely to cause any vibrations when driving.

Can I drive on a buckled or dented alloy wheel?

You should not drive on a damaged alloy wheel, due to the unknown risk of tyre and wheel integrity. The best course of action is to replace the damaged wheel with the spare (if your car has one) whilst you get it repaired. 

Not only does a buckled wheel pose an immediate danger, but it can also damage or cause excessive wear to other components, such as wheel bearings and track rod ends. 

In many cases, it’s not possible to prevent wheel damage, especially if a pothole is obscured by a puddle or is unavoidable in the road. However, taking some precautions can reduce your overall risk.

As well as mechanical repairs, many of Bumper’s approved garages can also repair alloy wheels. This means you can be back on the road with no concerns of wheel damage, all with zero-per cent financing. Find your nearest garage here.

How much is it to repair a buckled wheel?

A cylinder misfire can range from an infrequent anomaly that is barely noticeable to a regular occurrence, rendering a car undrivable, depending on the cause of the problem.

Any misfire is cause for concern, as it is not likely to get better unaided, but more likely to worsen with time. This article covers the cost of repairing an engine misfire and what the likely causes are.

How much does it cost to fix an engine misfire?

The cost to repair an engine misfire can range from just £60 to many hundreds. The final cost will depend on the cause of the issue, as well as the make and model of the car.

Below are some common causes for misfires, and how much they might cost to fix:

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A typical car engine ignites the air and fuel mixture anywhere from 20 to 100 times per second to create the power needed to propel the vehicle. When something is wrong, and the cylinder does not ignite when it should, this is a misfire.

The severity of the problem can range from a splutter or judder – usually under acceleration – to the engine cutting out and or going into limp mode. 

The most obvious signs of a misfire are the sound and vibrations caused. An engine that is running correctly should produce a smooth, consistent sound. Any popping, spluttering or juddering is likely to be caused by a misfire. 

Similarly, when accelerating or maintaining a constant speed, the engine should pull smoothly and evenly, with no jerking or juddering.

Most modern cars will flag an issue on the dashboard as soon as a misfire starts, as they closely monitor crankshaft rotation, coil pack voltage and exhaust emissions. 

Misfires can be apparent while idling, accelerating or both. In some cases, the cause for the misfire might not show up until the engine is at a high rpm.

Can I drive my car with a misfiring engine?

No, if you know your car is misfiring, you should get it checked out as soon as possible. Not only does it increase the harmful emissions your car produces, but it also reduces your fuel economy and can cause irreparable damage to the engine, depending on the cause and severity.

Split the cost of repairs with Bumper's interest-free car repair finance. Available at hundreds of approved garages across the UK, Bumper is the easy way to pay for car repairs. Apply online before your visit to the garage to find out how much you can use.

How Much Does it Cost to Fix an Engine Misfire in 2026?

Your car's engine consists of two main components, the engine block and the cylinder head. Both contain many crucial features and components that work together to produce power to drive the wheels. 

There are a few instances where a cylinder head may become damaged; these can arise from various situations, ranging from a lack of oil to overheating, and all of them can be costly if not remedied quickly. In this guide, we’ll explain how much cylinder head repair typically costs.

The cost of removing and repairing a car's cylinder head can range from £550 for a basic head gasket replacement to £2,500+ for extensive work.

Just removing and inspecting the head is likely to be a day's labour, anything from £550 to £800, as there are many components to remove to access it. 

In the case of a snapped timing belt or chain, repairing the resulting damage can start at £1,000 and increase to well above £3,000 if a new cylinder head is required. 

If the engine has been overheated, either because the coolant has run low or the head gasket has blown, the cylinder head will need machining to make it flat again. This work will cost around £800-£1,200, including removing the head.

An engine creates power by burning fuel and air in a cylinder. The cylinder head, as the name suggests, acts as a cap to the cylinders, retaining the pressure created during combustion. A head gasket is used to seal between the engine block and the cylinder head.

Along with this, the head also houses the valves and the camshafts that open and close them. Valves allow fuel and air in, and exhaust gases out, at the correct times.

There are a few different things that can cause damage to a cylinder head, these range from needing just cleaning to removal, overhaul or replacement. 

Can I drive with damage to my car's cylinder head?

Driving with a damaged cylinder head is likely to create even more damage to the engine, and could well leave you stranded - meaning you’d then need to pay to recover the car to a garage, as well as paying for the repairs!

If your head gasket has blown, stem seals are leaking oil, or you are just concerned about future repair bills, using Bumper’s zero-interest car repair financing can help. 

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Cylinder Head Repair Cost (UK 2025)

Constant velocity or CV joints are an essential part of every car’s drivetrain. Like most drivetrain components, they can wear out over time, depending on the type and amount of use the car has. 

If your car needs new CV joints, this guide will help to understand the costs involved with having them replaced, as well as common symptoms to look out for.

Replacing a CV joint can cost anything from £250 to £900, depending on the make and model of the car. In some cases, the whole driveshaft will need replacing rather than just the joint.

Sometimes, just the CV boot needs replacing. This is a common MOT failure, which can cost anywhere from £50 to £140.

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A CV or constant velocity joint is a mechanical coupling used to transmit rotational power at a constant rate, despite changes in the angle of the two shafts due to steering or suspension travel. They are used on the front wheels of front wheel drive cars, and sometimes on the rear of rear or 4 wheel drive ones.

The name constant velocity was coined due to their ability to maintain the same input and output speed, regardless of the angle of the two shafts, unlike a simpler universal joint, as often found on the propshaft of rear wheel drive cars.

Because a CV joint is a major mechanical component in your drivetrain, symptoms of wear and issues are generally detectable with a good ear or feel. These are the symptoms of a bad CV joint:

A CV boot is a rubber protective component that encases the CV joints. The geometry that enables a CV joint to work is made to high tolerances, and uses grease to prevent premature wear, in a similar way to engine and gearbox components. 

The CV boot ensures this grease is retained inside the joint, and dirt and water cannot enter to cause premature wear. Split CV boots are common MOT failures, as they can cause a sound joint to become dangerously worn in a matter of months.

No, you should not drive with a worn or bad CV joint. An excessively worn CV joint can cause more than just increased load on the engine, but it can even fail completely, meaning the driveshaft could well cause more damage or loss of control. 

If your car needs repairs, from CV joints to body work, Bumper can help with zero-per-cent interest financing. Choose from one of hundreds of nationwide, approved partners. Apply online for a 

CV Joint Repair Cost

On many diesel cars made after 2015, manufacturers fitted AdBlue systems to reduce harmful exhaust emissions. Whilst they are very effective at reducing pollution, on aging cars or those that are not looked after well, these systems can sometimes cause issues. 

In this article, we’ll take a look at how much repairing an AdBlue system typically costs, from basic diagnostics to full replacement parts. 

How much does it cost to repair an AdBlue system?

Prices to repair AdBlue systems range from around £75 for a diagnostic test or software update, to over £2,000 if you need to replace the catalytic converter, pump or other complex parts of the system.

In some cases, a software update, forced regen or code clear can solve an AdBlue fault. Independent garages typically charge £75-150 for this, whereas a dealer may charge more.

If you need to replace the AdBlue pump or catalytic converter, expect to pay upwards of £1,000 for parts and labour. 

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AdBlue is used as part of the SCR (Selective Catalyst Reduction) system in certain diesel cars. This system works in addition to the regular diesel particulate filters to further reduce harmful emissions.

The AdBlue is injected into the SCR catalytic converter, and sparks a chemical reaction that breaks down harmful nitrogen oxides into water and harmless nitrogen gas.

In order for the SCR process to function, a chemical reaction must occur. AdBlue fluid contributes ammonia to this chemical reaction in the form of synthesised urea. This reaction transforms nitrogen oxides into water and nitrogen.

Without the AdBlue fluid, the SCR system cannot function correctly. 

What happens if I don’t fill up with AdBlue?

A malfunctioning SCR system, due to either a lack of AdBlue or a fault, will no longer convert the harmful emissions; your car’s ECU will detect this and give various warnings and alerts. 

If you completely run out, many modern cars will enter limp mode to help reduce the volume of emissions, and even refuse to start once the engine has been turned off.

Alongside this, running your car without sufficient AdBlue can cause problems with the injector, pump or SCR catalyst - all things that are expensive to repair.

AdBlue consumption depends on the car you have and the type of driving you do. Some manufacturers suggest 3-5% of your diesel consumption, which roughly translates to 1.5 - 3L of AdBlue per 1,000 miles. 

If your car is using much more or less than this amount, that may be an indicator that something is wrong. Most garages, especially independent specialists and dealerships, will be able to scan the car for fault codes in this instance.

No, you should not drive your car with an AdBlue fault. 

In fact, many modern cars prevent you from starting the engine if there is a serious AdBlue fault. In others, the car will go into “limp mode” which is a reduced performance mode. It is not safe to drive in limp mode.

If you’re worried about expensive repairs, anything from AdBlue issues to bodywork, Bumper can help spread out the cost with easy 

Joseph Law

Bumper Content Writer