A proper engine diagnostic in the UK costs £40–£90 at an independent garage and £120–£200 at a main dealer. That should include a code scan, live-data test, and a written explanation of what's wrong. Free diagnostics from chains often only read codes — that's not the same as diagnosing the fault.
Diagnostic pricing in the UK varies wildly. Here's what a proper job involves and what a fair price looks like.
Is a £20 OBD scanner from Amazon any good? — For reading basic powertrain codes, yes. For ABS/airbag/transmission codes, you usually need a more capable scanner.
How long does a diagnostic take? — A simple code-pull is 10 minutes. A proper pinpoint diagnostic for an intermittent fault can take 1–2 hours.
Bob's Mechanical Repairs — independent family-run garage in Birnam, Dunkeld, Perthshire. Call 01350 727 276 or email [email protected].