How much does it cost to replace a car throttle body?
According to Fixter data, the throttle body replacement cost (UK) ranges between £315 and £658.
The average throttle body replacement cost works out at approximately £486, including parts and labour.
Can I carry out a throttle body replacement myself?
Replacing a throttle body is quite a complicated mechanical procedure, so we wouldn’t recommend home or DIY mechanics taking on the project without the correct level of experience and knowledge.
Many modern engines require a new throttle body to be reset or reprogrammed, occasionally using specialist tools, further complicating the process.
What are the throttle body replacement costs at a dealership compared to Fixter garages?
| Operation | Vehicle | Average Dealer Price | Fixter Price | Average Saving |
| Throttle body replacement | Volvo XC60 | £711 | £538–£658 | £114 |
| Throttle body replacement | Ford S-MAX | £442 | £343–£419 | £61 |
| Throttle body replacement | Mitsubishi Mirage | £551 | £431–£527 | £72 |
| Throttle body replacement | Ford EcoSport | £497 | £392–£480 | £61 |
| Throttle body replacement | Mazda CX-7 | £711 | £538–£658 | £114 |
| Throttle body replacement | Nissan Urvan | £472 | £386–£472 | £43 |
| Throttle body replacement | Peugeot 3008 | £442 | £343–£419 | £61 |
| Throttle body replacement | Alfa Romeo 4C | £434 | £315–£385 | £84 |
| Throttle body replacement | Renault Trafic III | £442 | £339–£414 | £61 |
| Throttle body replacement | Mazda Premacy | £448 | £339–£414 | £71 |
What additional factors could affect throttle body replacement?
One major factor is whether or not your poorly-performing throttle body needs replacing or just needs a thorough cleaning.
The throttle body is only one part of the engine’s air intake system, located between the intake and the engine manifold. It consists of a tube with a pivoting flat valve. The valve regulates the amount of air allowed into the manifold when the accelerator is pushed. The throttle position sensor and airflow sensor send data to the car’s computer (ECU), so it knows the correct amount of fuel to deliver through its injectors.
A throttle body needs to be clean and clear to operate efficiently, and after thousands of miles of driving, they often end up coated with dirt and carbon, creating problems with the airflow. So if your throttle body needs replacing or even just cleaning, it’s also likely that the rest of the intake system will need a thorough cleaning, too, to remove all of the dirt and residue.
With that in mind, regularly replacing your air filter is paramount to the throttle body’s continual efficient performance, as is, of course, the correct diagnosis of the problem with its operation.
What are the costs of throttle body replacement parts?
Prices for a new throttle body vary for each make and model of car. We looked at typical prices from Eurocarparts for replacement throttle bodies for a few popular vehicles.
In our search, we took an average for standard 2020 models.
| Car Make | Car Model | Throttle Body Prices |
| Ford | Fiesta | £370 |
| Fiat | 500 | £363 |
| Volkswagen | Golf | £247 |
| Mercedes | C Class | £179 |
| Audi | A4 | £179 |
| Audi | Q5 | £179 |
What are the labour times and rates for throttle body replacement?
Throttle body replacement costs vary across the country according to each garage and dealership. We took a look at our records to work out the average hourly rate to help keep you, our customers, informed and up to date.
We found for garages within the London area, the average rate came out at £78 per hour. For the garages throughout the rest of the country, the price was a little lower, as you’d expect, at £72 per hour.
How long does a throttle body replacement take?
The job usually takes around an hour for either a replacement or a cleaning. However, depending on the reset process and testing, or any complications accessing or removing problem components, it may take a little longer.
Is it safe to drive with a bad throttle body?
No. You’ll face all kinds of problems if you attempt to drive with a broken throttle body. Given its critical role in the engine’s operation, both acceleration and driving at a steady pace become erratic and unpredictable. It can also cause a breakdown.
Once the throttle body starts to fail, it’s only going to get worse, so get it booked in and replaced, repaired or cleaned right away.
What are the symptoms of a bad throttle body?
- Check engine light illuminates
- Rough and erratic engine idling
- Misfiring
- Poor acceleration
- Frequent stalling
- High fuel consumption
- A delay in acceleration after pressing the accelerator
- Dirt around the throttle body
What causes a throttle body to fail?
Over time, the moving parts of your car and its engine will slowly wear out, eventually failing after thousands of miles of service. A throttle body is more likely to have been compromised by the dirt and carbon build-up in the housing and air intake system than typical wear from the friction of moving parts. These contaminants can significantly affect the component’s operation, delivering all the symptoms we mentioned earlier.
How long does a throttle body last?
There isn’t a set limit for the lifespan of any car’s throttle body or how soon it will clog up with carbon. However, a healthy practice would be to have it checked or cleaned after around 75k miles of driving. Keeping it clean will encourage continuous healthy performance and hopefully extend the lifespan of the part.
With proper monitoring and maintenance, many throttle bodies will last for the life of the vehicle they power. If you have any engine issues that you aren’t sure about, why not let one of our experts take a look and identify the problem for you? We’re always ready and waiting to help.
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About Fixter
Fixter is revolutionising the car maintenance industry, one repair at a time. Fixter was founded to make car maintenance as easy as booking a taxi. Digital, transparent and stress-free, with world-class customer service. Since launching in Manchester in 2017, Fixter has expanded to more than 100 towns and cities across the UK and provided thousands of car owners with honest, convenient and affordable car repair services.