How Much is an Oil Pump Repair Cost in the UK?

The average oil pump repair cost sits between £500 to £1,000 for UK drivers.

Every car part, even your oil pump, will wear out and eventually need replacing. However, it should still last a long time.

The oil pump in your car moves oil around and inside the engine channels. This is essential, as it lubricates bearings, pistons, and camshafts, and also cools the engine.

It’s the heart of the car’s lubrication system, making sure nothing grinds or seizes. Here's everything you need to know about oil pump repair costs.

Key takeaways

How much is an oil pump repair cost?

On average in the UK, an oil pump repair costs around £500 to £1,000.

Minor fixes may be slightly cheaper, while more complex replacements on high-performance or hard-to-access engines can exceed £1,000. You can always use a car repair loan from Bumper to split the cost of a repair into interest-free repayments.

Oil pump repair costs per UK car models

Here are some examples of popular UK car makes and average oil pump costs:

Car Make & Model	Oil Pump Replacement Cost
Ford Fiesta	£502 – £790
Volkswagen Polo	£554 – £871
Vauxhall Corsa	£554 – £871
BMW 3 Series	£526 – £826
Audi A4	£655 – £1,030

Factors affecting oil pump repair costs

Knowing the signs and costs of an oil pump problem will help you act in time and avoid even bigger problems with your car.

Alongside the average costs above, consider the the following:

Type of car, build, and manufacturer
Car part accessibility and prices
Location (e.g., small town prices can be lower than in cities)
Labour rates and the type of garage or dealership

How long does an oil pump repair take?

An oil pump repair takes most mechanics 4 to 8 hours, depending on the complexity of the job.

What happens during an oil pump repair?

During the oil pump repair, your mechanics will:

Raise your vehicle
Drain all of the oil from the engine and the pump
Remove the sump pan
Replace the oil pump with a new one
Reassemble surrounding components
Add engine oil and replace the oil filter
Run the engine and check the oil pressure

5 signs you might need an oil pump repair

If your oil pressure is lowering, it might be a symptom that your oil pump needs to be replaced.

Unlike other car parts, you can't see the oil pump. However, you can look out for these signs:

Red warning light on the dashboard in the shape of an oil can
Unusual noises from the oil pump
Unusual noises from the valve train
Low oil pressure
Engine temperature increasing

Will the check engine light come on if the oil pump is Bad?

Yes. If the oil pump is bad, then the check engine light will turn on.

This is because the bad oil pump will cause high or low oil pressure in the engine. Depending on the brand and year of make, the light could be orange or red.

Ways to prevent oil pump problems

Preventing oil pump problems in your car is the best way to go if you don't want to spend anything on oil pump repair costs down the road.

You can prevent oil pump problems by following these steps:

Make sure you're using the recommended viscosity of oil
Change your oil to reduce wear
Replace all oil filters at the right time
Make sure that your oil levels are in the correct range
Avoid overheating your engine by maintaining the cooling system
Fix oil leaks immediately after they happen

Is it worth fixing an oil pump?

Yes and no! Whether it's worth fixing an oil pump generally depends on your vehicle, its age, condition, and problems.

If the vehicle is in good condition and the oil pump is the only issue, then it’s worth fixing the old pump. Even if your oil pressure suddenly drops and your engine overheats, fixing it is cheaper than a full engine replacement.

An oil pump might not be worth fixing if there is significant engine damage, the repair cost exceeds the car's value, or if there are numerous other problems.

Can you drive with a bad oil pump?

No. You should never drive if you have a bad oil pump.

A pump that is not working will not give enough oil to the engine, which can then grind and seize. Plus, the damage could affect the bearings and cause overheating of the engine and potential permanent damage.

If you notice any issues, stop the car immediately and call a mechanic!

Is an oil leak an MOT failure?

An oil leak will eventually cause an MOT failure.

An oil pool larger than 75 millimetres in diameter that appears within 5 minutes is a concerning factor. Smaller leaks may not cause failure but might cause different problems.

Final thoughts

In the end, your oil pump is a key element of your lubrication system and will have a huge effect on the safety of your car. So, if you think you need an oil pump repair, don’t put the service off!

Split the cost with Bumper

Did you know? You can use Bumper's car repair finance to split the cost of an oil pump repair into interest-free repayments.

Apply online for up to £5,000 and choose from 1,000s of trusted repairers.