Head Gasket failure on 2008 Astra - £850 a reasonable quote?

[Tad1984]

Just had some rubbish news before the weekend. wife's car had been losing coolant and oil for a few weeks (now i'm thinking it may have been longer). took it to the garage and they've diagnosed a head gasket failure. They have given me a £850 (inc VAT) quote for the gasket and all associated works

Does this sound reasonable or do I need to push back on the cost?

Quote: £850
Location: Essex
Vehicle: 2008 Vauxhall Astra H 1.8
Head gasket replaced
Cylinder heads skimmed
Cam belt kit replacement
New Oil Filter
A couple of other things that escape my mind currently

Thanks in advance for your answers

[ambuletz]

suprised cars from the late 00's onwards get such a problem!

[Rowley92]

Doesn't sound too bad. My corsa (back in 2010) cost £450 for headgasket and skim. Don't think any belts were changed though!

[98elise]

Rowley92 said:

Doesn't sound too bad. My corsa (back in 2010) cost £450 for headgasket and skim. Don't think any belts were changed though!

It would be mad if they didn't.

[BuzzBravado]

How would you push back on the cost? Either you take up their offer or go elsewhere. If they drop the cost its because they then cut out a cost or rushed the job.

They will also need new oil and possibly new studs for any that snap in the head or manifolds.

Edited by BuzzBravado on Friday 6th May 15:47

[Samjeev]

I'd personally be happy with that price.
Currently rebuilding the engine on my Vx220 which has the same if not similar engine as your Astra.
Its costing roughly £700 just for all the parts such let alone any labour which im doing myself anyway however Im not changing the belt and waterpump as it was done <3000 miles ago

Don't quote me on that though i'm also fitting forged pistons and steel rods so the cost is a bit over double that for myself

[S0 What]

Pretty typical of GM alloys heads of that era to disolve away, it "may" need welding to the waterways before a skim so the cost may well be higher ?
TBH to do the job propperly that isn't too far off what i would quote (with the warning of possable welding) did an 02 1.4 in DEC and that came out at £800 with welding, skimming, headset, belts, water pump, new AF, oil and filters but i have lower overheads than many bigger garages so can quote lower.

[A.J.M]

I was £500 for a head gasket change, head skim and new belts on a 1.2 Clio back in 2007.

The price you have been quoted is very fair.

[Matt UK]

Agree that if it's much cheaper then corners will probably be cut.

[anonymous-user]

if it has been run for some time block might be warped and hg change would be useless.

[Tad1984]

Thanks guys. I trust the garage, but it's always with asking opinions. £850 is a bit of a poop sandwich, but looks like one I will have to swallow.

Another question: is it worth getting the head crack tested? They said they could do this for peace of mind, but it might cost a bit extra.

[S0 What]

I would personly, even if there is no or little corosion visable around the waterways, if it needs welding the pressure test will/should be free to check the weld and skim did the job
If your mechanic knows the shop well he may get it free, i do sometimes, depends who's on the counter the day i drop the head off lol.

[kambites]

Sounds reasonable.

As you've implied, get the belt/chain and tensioners replaced at the same time - it should be pretty much zero labour since they need to come off to do the head gasket anyway.

[Tad1984]

Update: So its been in the garage for 3 weeks now, been told it will be back today. bye bye hard earned cash, bye bye

[Krikkit]

3 weeks! Blimey.

[Tad1984]

yeah, they kept coming up with new reasons it was taking so long. Wife's stolen my car for 3 weeks, which isn't a massive pain as I can walk to work, but it is quite annoying