CV Joint Replacement Cost UK
A CV joint replacement at a UK independent garage typically costs £150 to £350 per side. Catch it early, when only the rubber boot has split and the joint is still healthy, and you can pay just £80 to £150 for a new boot and fresh grease. That clicking on full lock is your expensive warning.
What it costs
| Job | Typical price (independent) |
|---|---|
| CV boot replacement only (joint still good) | £80 to £150 |
| Outer CV joint replacement | £150 to £280 |
| Complete replacement driveshaft fitted | £200 to £350 |
| Both sides at once | £350 to £600 |
On many cars a complete new driveshaft costs little more than a joint alone, and some garages prefer it because pressing an old joint off a corroded shaft can waste an hour of paid labour.
Symptoms
The signature symptom is a rhythmic clicking or knocking when you turn on full lock, most obvious pulling out of junctions or car parking. As the joint worsens the clicking starts on gentler turns, then you may feel vibration under acceleration. A split boot shows as dark grease flung around the inside of the wheel and wheel arch, and that stage is silent, which is exactly why it gets missed.
Why it fails
The joint itself is tough. What kills it is the boot. The rubber perishes and splits, the grease escapes, and grit and water get in. On British roads, salty winter spray is exceptionally good at destroying an unprotected joint, sometimes within a few thousand miles of the boot splitting. Occasionally joints just wear out at high mileage, but a torn boot is behind most failures.
Can you drive with it?
A quiet click only on full lock, yes, for a short while, but book it in. Loud clicking on normal bends or vibration under power means the joint is well worn, and a badly worn CV joint can eventually let go completely, which on a front driveshaft means instant loss of drive. A split boot is also an MOT failure even if the joint is silent.
How to avoid overpaying
Have your CV boots looked at every service and act the moment one splits. A £100 boot job caught early is the whole repair. Leave it clicking for months and you are into joint or full shaft money. If you do need a shaft, ask for a quality brand or genuine reconditioned unit rather than the cheapest new pattern shaft, because bottom-end shafts are a known source of vibration complaints and repeat visits.
Common questions
What does a worn CV joint sound like?
A clicking or knocking that matches wheel speed when turning, loudest on full lock under power. If you hear it reversing out of a parking space with the wheel turned, that is the classic test.
Is a split CV boot an MOT failure?
Yes, a boot that is split or insecure fails the MOT because it exposes the joint to dirt and water. Fixing the boot promptly also protects you from the much dearer joint replacement.
Is it better to replace the joint or the whole driveshaft?
If the new shaft costs close to the joint alone, take the shaft. It renews both joints and the boots in one go and often saves labour. On cars where shafts are expensive, a quality joint on a good shaft is fine.