How much does it cost to replace an aircon condenser?
The aircon condenser replacement cost (UK) ranges between £180 and £530.
Our figures show that the average cost of an aircon condenser replacement stands at £339.
Can I carry out the aircon condenser replacement myself?
Switching an aircon condenser isn’t the most challenging task, but it requires some specialist tools. The drained refrigerant needs disposing of professionally or via an authorised outlet. Without the correct experience or tools, we wouldn’t suggest it’s a job that should be carried out by a home DIY mechanic. To flush old refrigerant and recharge the system requires professional equipment and an AC pressure gauge to get the new installation running correctly.
We believe that this is a job for a professional mechanic.
What are the aircon condenser replacement costs at a dealership compared to Fixter garages?
| Operation | Vehicle | Dealer Price | Fixter Price | Saving |
| Aircon condenser replacement | VW Polo 1.2ltr Petrol | £203 | £180 | 13% |
| Aircon condenser replacement | Nissan Qashqai 1.5ltr Diesel | £421 | £360 | 17% |
| Aircon condenser replacement | Mini 1.6ltr Petrol | £316 | £277 | 14% |
| Aircon condenser replacement | Vauxhall Vivaro 3.0ltr Diesel | £389 | £335 | 16% |
| Aircon condenser replacement | Land Rover 3.6ltr Diesel | £539 | £469 | 15% |
| Aircon condenser replacement | Audi A3 Sportback 1.9ltr Diesel | £630 | £530 | 19% |
| Aircon condenser replacement | Volvo X60 2.0ltr Diesel | £410 | £360 | 14% |
| Aircon condenser replacement | Mini Clubman 1.4ltr Petrol | £309 | £264 | 17% |
What specific factors can affect an aircon condenser replacement?
When replacing your air conditioning condenser, you’ll likely need to replace some of the associated or connecting parts and components at the same time.
If a blockage has caused damage and the condenser can’t circulate the liquid or gas refrigerant properly, then the tubes, seals, and hoses come into play. They might only need a thorough flush or cleaning to restore their optimum performance. Still, with seals and leaky hoses, it’s often sensible to replace any that show signs of deterioration.
In worst-case scenarios, the potential damage it could cause to the compressor can lead to its failure and a further replacement.
What are the costs of aircon condenser replacement parts?
A car aircon condenser price can vary for each make and model. The average car aircon condenser cost from Eurocarparts is £123.
You’ll also need to flush and replace the refrigerant; the replacement fluid’s average cost is £58.
In our search, we looked at the averages for standard 2015 models.
| Car Make | Car Model | Condenser Prices |
| Ford | Fiesta | £170 |
| Fiat | 500 | £119 |
| Volkswagen | Golf | £129 |
| Audi | A4 | £105 |
| BMW | 5 Series | £127 |
| Land Rover | Range Rover | £178 |
| Volkswagen | Tiguan | £113 |
| Audi | Q5 | £310 |
What are the labour times and rates for aircon condenser replacement?
Hourly labour rates vary from garage to garage and in different areas of the country. We’ve considered all the contributing factors, from the business size, location, and demand, and have found that the average rate for garages and dealerships based outside London is £72/hr.
The average price is only marginally higher for those operating within London areas at £78/hr.
How long does an aircon condenser replacement take?
We regularly scour our records to work out the average costs of services, MOTs, maintenance work, replacements, and the repairs our customers need for their cars. Another key factor under observation is the amount of time each job takes.
Looking at our records, an aircon condenser replacement should take between 1 and 6 hours.
Take a look at the figures our latest reports delivered. They should provide a little inside information into the variation from vehicle to vehicle.
| Car Make | Car Model | Typical Replacement Time |
| Ford | Fiesta | 1.7 hours |
| Fiat | 500 | 1.15 hours |
| Volkswagen | Golf | 1.5 hours |
| Mercedes | C Class | 5.8 hours |
| Audi | A4 | 0.9 hours |
| BMW | 5 Series | 1.25 hours |
| Land Rover | Range Rover | 3.6 hours |
| Volkswagen | Tiguan | 1.2 hours |
| Audi | Q5 | 1.0 hours |
How do I know if I need a new aircon condenser?
Typical symptoms of a faulty or broken air conditioning condenser include:
- Your air conditioning stops working.
- The air coming from your vents isn’t as cold as it usually is.
- You may suffer poorer fuel economy.
- Ticking noises coming from your engine.
- Patches of liquid around the air conditioning unit.
- You smell coolant in the car interior when the AC is running.
What are the leading causes of aircon condenser failure?
The most common cause of air condenser failure is due to leaks. Condenser tubes and seals will wear out over time and continued use; they can’t be replaced or repaired, so a replacement condenser is often the only solution.
As well as leakages, blockages play a big part in aircon condenser issues. Any water, air, moisture, or debris infiltration can lead to the refrigerant turning into sludge, clogging pipes and tubes, especially the tighter, smaller connections throughout the system.
With the condenser sitting right at the front of the vehicle, there’s also a chance that damage can occur from rocks or other road debris being fired up or bouncing into it, delivering damage on impact.
Can you fix an aircon condenser?
Car aircon condenser repair is rarely an option. A leaking condenser can’t be repaired easily or efficiently enough to deliver the performance the AC system needs. Given the associated issues a leaky or blocked condenser can cause, a repaired component could never provide the confidence or flawless performance a brand new part does.
Can a car run without an aircon condenser?
Most cars will run perfectly well with the air conditioning turned off.
However, modern demisting systems rely on your AC to keep the air inside your car dry, preventing moisture from building up on windscreens and interior windows. These systems automatically switch your AC on when you attempt to demist your windows. This can lead to issues as it engages the AC pulley clutch, driving the damaged system, and putting pressure on other components.
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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 cities across the UK and provided thousands of car owners with honest, convenient and affordable car repair services.