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

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:

• Worn or fouled spark plugs can become ineffective and cause a misfire. On a run-of-the-mill 4-cylinder car, expect to pay between £80 and £150 to have this done.

• Similarly, the HT leads that connect to the spark plugs can deteriorate over time, budget around the same: £80 - £150 to have these replaced, it’s almost always worth changing the spark plugs at the same time

• The coil pack or coils can also be the culprit, expect to pay between £200 and £560, depending on the model of car

• More serious engine issues, such as low compression, incorrect timing, or a blown head gasket, can also cause poor running and misfiring; these problems would typically cost upwards of £1,200 to repair

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What is an engine misfire?

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.

How to tell if an engine is misfiring

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.

Repair an engine misfire with Bumper

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Author - Joseph Law

Joseph 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.