Repair costs

Suspension ball joint replacement garage rates and how often MOTs call for it

What UK garages charge per hour, from ONS price quotes, and how often MOT tests fail on the items this repair fixes, from 130,233,413 DVSA MOT tests (2022 to 2025).

Prices updated 22 September 2026. MOT data updated 28 September 2026.

Garage labour rates

No public source records the price of this whole job, and the time it takes varies from car to car, so we do not publish a single figure. Garages charge by the hour, so ask for a quote that lists labour time and parts. The rates below are what UK garages charge per hour.

Local garage labour, per hour (65 shops)£78

Local garage, middle half£70 to £96

Main dealer labour, per hour (62 shops)£156

Main dealer, middle half£144 to £174

Median hourly rate charged for car repairs, from 1,058 local garage and 953 main dealer price quotes collected by the ONS, September 2025 to August 2026. The same shops are priced each month, so the number of shops is the real sample.

MOT defects this repair fixes

Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn1.41 per 100
Suspension arm ball joint has slight play1.31 per 100
Suspension arm ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt0.45 per 100

Records per 100 MOT tests at all ages (n=130,233,413 tests).

How often by age

All cars: 1.86 fail items per 100 MOTs that this repair fixes (n=130,233,413 tests), highest at 19 years with 3.49 per 100 (n=2,479,858). A test with two such items counts twice.

Fail items fixed by suspension ball joint replacement, per 100 MOT tests of cars at each age.
Age	Per 100 MOTs	Tests (n)
3 years	0.086	8,016,463
4 years	0.14	8,699,937
5 years	0.26	9,425,360
6 years	0.51	10,382,720
7 years	0.88	10,537,318
8 years	1.34	10,440,457
9 years	1.84	9,949,012
10 years	2.27	9,049,507
11 years	2.64	8,087,514
12 years	2.93	7,303,151
13 years	3.16	6,612,160
14 years	3.33	6,054,526
15 years	3.42	5,591,675
16 years	3.46	4,858,625
17 years	3.45	4,040,458
18 years	3.47	3,261,622
19 years	3.49	2,479,858
20 years	3.39	1,845,952
21 years	3.26	1,321,417
22 years	3.01	913,980
23 years	2.71	619,531
24 years	2.45	428,815
25 years	2.23	313,355

Models that fail on these items more often

At least 1.3 times the rate of cars of the same ages and fuel, over ages with at least 1,000 tests each and 20,000 in total. Each generation of a model is compared on its own. 45 of these have their own page.

Model	Times as often	Tests (n)
Suzuki Baleno	at least 12.0	26,797
Vauxhall Mokka	at least 5.5	930,592
Nissan Juke	at least 4.8	1,225,209
Mercedes-Benz GLC	at least 4.4	298,696
Nissan Pulsar	at least 4.1	84,984
Nissan NV200	at least 3.5	122,396
Nissan X-Trail	at least 3.4	370,278
Mercedes-Benz CLC	at least 3.4	35,024
Nissan Qashqai	at least 3.2	2,264,112
Renault Clio	at least 3.2	1,326,120
Renault Captur	at least 2.8	597,036
Mazda 2	at least 2.7	509,644
Smart Forfourfirst used 2014 or later	at least 2.6	89,645
Renault Zoe	at least 2.5	74,266
Daihatsu Sirion	at least 2.5	24,404
Renault Kadjar	at least 2.4	267,506
Nissan Primastar	at least 2.3	36,364
Ford Fiesta	at least 2.3	5,660,045
Citroen C4 Cactus	at least 2.3	82,843
Mercedes-Benz CLK	at least 2.3	121,510
Mercedes-Benz V-Classfirst used 2014 or later	at least 2.3	46,317
Renault Trafic	at least 2.2	428,817
Toyota Proace	at least 2.2	41,151
Ford Transit Courier	at least 2.2	103,155
Vauxhall Vivaro	at least 2.2	739,286

45 more models

Model	Times as often	Tests (n)
Mazda 5	at least 2.2	44,929
Mercedes-Benz C-Class	at least 2.2	1,528,968
Isuzu D-Max	at least 2.2	134,777
Suzuki Wagon R+	at least 2.2	32,729
Suzuki Ignisfirst used before 2016	at least 2.1	25,857
Suzuki Splash	at least 2.1	71,403
Chevrolet Matiz	at least 2.1	44,172
Kia Rio	at least 2.1	395,218
Dacia Sandero	at least 2.1	415,804
Citroen Dispatch	at least 2.0	189,276
Mazda 3	at least 2.0	435,738
London Taxis International TX4	at least 2.0	53,539
Renault Twingo	at least 2.0	101,465
Vauxhall Agila	at least 2.0	144,956
Chevrolet Aveo	at least 1.9	36,812
Dacia Logan	at least 1.9	61,822
Mazda 6	at least 1.8	259,157
Fiat Scudo	at least 1.8	32,566
Renault Megane	at least 1.7	441,407
Vauxhall Crossland	at least 1.7	229,410
Hyundai Santa FE	at least 1.7	135,968
Subaru XV	at least 1.7	25,118
Peugeot Expert	at least 1.7	218,991
Suzuki SX4	at least 1.7	167,151
Renault Grand Scenic	at least 1.7	98,535
Nissan Note	at least 1.7	620,623
Ford B-Max	at least 1.6	218,327
Renault Scenic	at least 1.6	175,093
SsangYong Korando	at least 1.6	31,615
Mercedes-Benz S-Class	at least 1.6	107,268
Peugeot 2008	at least 1.6	496,383
Renault Modus	at least 1.5	51,726
Mitsubishi Outlander	at least 1.5	305,188
Mercedes-Benz Citan	at least 1.5	80,122
Nissan Pathfinder	at least 1.4	23,532
Mercedes-Benz SLC	at least 1.4	35,306
Hyundai i20	at least 1.4	511,594
Renault Kangoo	at least 1.4	229,058
Citroen C3 Aircross	at least 1.4	110,010
DS DS5	at least 1.4	20,165
Nissan Navara	at least 1.3	286,820
Citroen C2	at least 1.3	49,932
Jaguar S-Type	at least 1.3	49,246
Mercedes-Benz E-Class	at least 1.3	964,062
Kia Picanto	at least 1.3	730,252

Models that fail on these items less often

At most 0.7 times the rate of cars of the same ages and fuel, on the same rules.

Model	Times as often	Tests (n)
Porsche 911	at most 0.4	174,386
BMW X1	at most 0.4	414,040
MINI Countryman	at most 0.4	415,833
Volvo XC60	at most 0.4	433,710
BMW i3	at most 0.4	85,743
Audi Q3	at most 0.4	499,272
Toyota IQ	at most 0.4	67,409
Suzuki Celerio	at most 0.4	110,627
Porsche Cayenne	at most 0.4	118,942
BMW X3	at most 0.5	404,678
Land Rover Range Rover Evoque	at most 0.5	704,715
Honda HR-Vfirst used 2015 or later	at most 0.5	124,839
BMW 4 Series	at most 0.5	417,430
Suzuki Vitarafirst used 2015 or later	at most 0.5	248,462
Audi A5	at most 0.5	501,056
MINI Paceman	at most 0.5	31,176
BMW 1 Series	at most 0.5	1,589,384
Jaguar I-Pace	at most 0.5	57,577
Ford Kuga	at most 0.5	1,137,353
Audi Q5	at most 0.5	422,669
Fiat Ducato	at most 0.5	272,846
Volkswagen Touareg	at most 0.5	149,245
Porsche Macan	at most 0.5	115,297
Toyota Verso	at most 0.5	112,639
Toyota RAV4	at most 0.5	502,711

76 more models

Model	Times as often	Tests (n)
Volkswagen Up	at most 0.5	501,026
Tesla Model S	at most 0.5	41,739
Audi A6	at most 0.5	510,103
MINI Clubman	at most 0.5	109,425
Audi A7	at most 0.5	67,548
Audi Q7	at most 0.5	191,601
Vauxhall Viva	at most 0.5	154,054
Porsche Boxster	at most 0.5	129,291
Vauxhall Insignia	at most 0.5	834,880
Skoda Yeti	at most 0.5	303,988
Nissan Pixo	at most 0.6	46,726
Lexus IS	at most 0.6	154,326
Audi TT	at most 0.6	459,803
Land Rover Discovery Sport	at most 0.6	447,155
Jaguar XE	at most 0.6	174,594
Honda Jazz	at most 0.6	1,350,206
Land Rover Defenderfirst used before 2020	at most 0.6	291,433
Mazda MX-5	at most 0.6	348,258
Mercedes-Benz M-Class	at most 0.6	139,242
Audi Q2	at most 0.6	261,047
Toyota Avensis	at most 0.6	270,911
Skoda Citigo	at most 0.6	210,005
Toyota Hiace	at most 0.6	55,241
Jaguar F-Pace	at most 0.6	202,046
Peugeot Boxer	at most 0.6	203,202
Peugeot 108	at most 0.6	296,826
Jaguar E-Pace	at most 0.6	114,724
Volkswagen Eos	at most 0.6	49,528
Audi A1	at most 0.6	865,891
Subaru Impreza	at most 0.6	66,952
Bentley Continental	at most 0.6	56,740
Volkswagen T-Roc	at most 0.6	260,443
BMW 3 Series	at most 0.6	1,972,463
Toyota MR2	at most 0.6	30,113
SEAT Leon	at most 0.6	739,732
Volkswagen Passat	at most 0.6	792,205
Volvo V40first used 2012 or later	at most 0.6	384,615
Volkswagen Tiguan	at most 0.7	901,561
Toyota Corollafirst used before 2019	at most 0.7	238,334
Audi A3	at most 0.7	1,697,772
Volkswagen CC	at most 0.7	56,184
Volvo V60	at most 0.7	152,693
Skoda Superb	at most 0.7	248,705
Ford S-Max	at most 0.7	301,431
MINI Cooper and One	at most 0.7	2,619,239
SEAT Ateca	at most 0.7	171,168
BMW X4	at most 0.7	65,595
BMW 2 Series	at most 0.7	478,855
SEAT Mii	at most 0.7	72,945
Toyota Aygo	at most 0.7	1,006,151
BMW M3	at most 0.7	59,765
BMW 5 Series	at most 0.7	849,601
Land Rover Discovery	at most 0.7	591,956
Porsche Cayman	at most 0.7	59,394
Toyota Yaris	at most 0.7	1,812,318
Mazda CX-3	at most 0.7	102,215
Hyundai i40	at most 0.7	85,833
Mercedes-Benz GLA	at most 0.7	329,115
Volkswagen ID.3	at most 0.7	45,442
Toyota Auris	at most 0.7	623,950
Mercedes-Benz GLE	at most 0.7	113,268
Skoda Octavia	at most 0.7	817,089
Land Rover Freelander	at most 0.7	499,873
Saab 9-3	at most 0.7	166,679
Jeep Renegade	at most 0.7	110,103
Volkswagen Jetta	at most 0.7	56,076
Volvo S80	at most 0.7	26,623
Jaguar F-Type	at most 0.7	57,526
Volkswagen Sharan	at most 0.7	145,752
Audi A8	at most 0.7	44,414
SEAT Alhambra	at most 0.7	110,632
Volkswagen Golf	at most 0.7	3,588,854
Volvo XC70	at most 0.7	70,628
Volkswagen Scirocco	at most 0.7	188,602
Peugeot 107	at most 0.7	464,216
Suzuki Alto	at most 0.7	196,008

Read this with care. A fail rate is not a measure of build quality. How far cars are driven, how they are used and how well owners maintain them all change it, and wear items such as tyres and brake pads are common fails. Compare a model only with cars of the same age. Methodology and limits.

Other repairs

Exterior bulb replacement£3.99 median
Tyre replacement£87.05 median
Headlight alignmentlabour rate
Coil spring replacementlabour rate
Wiper blade replacement£9.99 median
Handbrake repairlabour rate
Brake pad replacementlabour rate
Anti-roll bar link replacementlabour rate
Headlight bulb replacement£3.99 median
Engine warning light diagnosislabour rate
Screenwash top-uplabour rate
Suspension arm bush replacementlabour rate
CV boot replacementlabour rate
Track rod end replacementlabour rate
Brake disc and pad replacementlabour rate
Shock absorber replacementlabour rate
Corrosion welding repairlabour rate
Binding brake repairlabour rate
Washer system repairlabour rate
Exhaust repair£212.09 median
Emissions fail repairlabour rate
Brake pipe replacementlabour rate
ABS warning light repairlabour rate
Airbag warning light repairlabour rate
Brake imbalance repairlabour rate
Wheel bearing replacementlabour rate
Tyre pressure sensor replacementlabour rate
Horn repairlabour rate
Number plate replacementlabour rate
Exhaust mounting repairlabour rate
Wheel nut or bolt replacementlabour rate
Steering rack gaiter replacementlabour rate
Brake efficiency repairlabour rate
Headlight mounting repairlabour rate
Headlight unit replacementlabour rate
Headlight lens restorationlabour rate
Swivel pin replacementlabour rate

All repair costs All MOT defects

Buying a used car?

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Source

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test data, class 4 normal MOT tests, 2022 to 2025, and the MOT inspection manual published on GOV.UK. Prices: ONS consumer price inflation price quotes, September 2025 to August 2026, UK.

MOT data updated 28 September 2026. Prices updated 22 September 2026.

Not affiliated with or endorsed by DVSA or the Office for National Statistics. How we calculate these figures · Data sources