Engine Mount Replacement Cost UK
An engine mount replacement at a UK independent garage typically costs £120 to £280 per mount fitted. Simple rubber mounts on accessible cars sit at the bottom of the range, while hydraulic or electronically controlled mounts, and mounts that require the engine to be supported from above, push towards the top.
What it costs
| Job | Typical price (independent) |
|---|---|
| Standard rubber mount, easy access | £120 to £180 |
| Hydraulic (fluid-filled) mount | £160 to £240 |
| Awkward access or engine support required | £200 to £280 |
| Lower torque arm (dogbone) mount | often the cheapest, £100 to £160 |
Most cars have three or four mounts. It is normal to replace only the failed one, though on high-mileage cars a second mount is often close behind.
Symptoms
A clonk or thud when pulling away, changing gear or lifting off the throttle, excess vibration through the cabin at idle, especially in gear with an automatic held on the brakes, and visible engine movement if someone blips the throttle while you watch under the bonnet. A collapsed hydraulic mount sometimes shows a fluid stain on the mount body.
Why it fails
Mounts are rubber, and rubber ages. Heat from the engine, oil contamination from minor leaks, and hundreds of thousands of torque reversals gradually crack and soften it. Hydraulic mounts add a fluid chamber that can rupture, at which point the mount goes from supple to sloppy quickly. A leaking engine above a mount will kill it early, so fixing oil leaks protects the mounts below them.
Can you drive with it?
Yes, for a while, and plenty of people do without realising. But a failed mount transfers its load to the remaining mounts and wears them faster, strains exhaust joints and hoses as the engine rocks, and on some cars lets the engine move far enough to knock against the bodywork or stress driveshafts. It goes from annoying to expensive slowly, so book it rather than ignore it for a year.
How to avoid overpaying
Ask the garage to physically test the mounts, levering the engine and watching for excess movement, rather than replacing mounts on spec to chase a vibration. Vibration at idle has many causes, including misfires and injector faults, and mounts get thrown at the problem far too often. If one mount has failed on a high-mileage car, ask for an honest opinion on the others while it is on the ramp, because combining two mounts in one visit shares the labour and saves a second booking fee.
Common questions
How many engine mounts does a car have?
Usually three or four: one each side of the engine and one or two torque mounts controlling rocking. They rarely all fail together, and garages should identify the specific failed mount before quoting.
Is a broken engine mount an MOT failure?
It can be. A deteriorated or insecure engine mounting that lets the engine move excessively can be failed as a dangerous or major defect, and testers do check for it.
Why does my car vibrate at idle but drive smoothly?
A collapsed mount transmits engine vibration into the body most noticeably at idle, when there is no road noise to mask it. If the vibration also brings a clonk when pulling away, a mount is a strong suspect.