Whenever your car is off the road, either through an accident or wear and tear, it can be frustrating not having access to your vehicle while it’s being repaired. 

But how long should you expect to wait for repairs, and what do you do if the mechanic is taking longer than expected? 

In this article, we’ll give some guidelines on how long various car repairs take, how long a mechanic can legally keep your car, and what to do if the repair is taking too long.

How long do car repairs take?

Car repairs can take anywhere from 10 minutes to 6 weeks, depending on the car, the problem and the garage’s workload. 

In rare cases, they can take even longer. It’s advisable to check with the garage before dropping your car off.

How long is too long for a car repair?

If your mechanic has taken more than a week to complete suspension or servicing work, or more than four weeks to finish major engine repairs, it might be a good idea to express your concerns to the garage in writing.

Almost all car repairs can usually be completed within 2-3 weeks, even major engine work.

How long can a mechanic legally keep your car to fix UK? 

There’s no legal timeframe or limit for keeping your car.

Instead, drivers should look at the average repair times and use these as a guide. Most repairs should be done within two to three weeks. This follows the Consumer Rights Act 2015, as it states garages must complete repairs within a ‘reasonable’ time.

Sometimes, repairs might take longer, and your mechanic should inform you why and how long they expect to take. This may be because of complexity or difficult-to-source parts.

How do you know if a mechanic is taking too long with car repairs? 

If your car has been in the garage for longer than a week after the estimated time, it’s time to check in with the garage for an update.

Professional garages will be upfront with the reasons why. Types of hold-ups can include a delay in parts arriving, staff illness, or unforeseen problems.  

If your mechanic repeatedly cannot give a status update or reasonable reason as to why it’s taking so long, look into your rights with the motor ombudsman. 

For more information, you can read our guide here. 

Factors that affect car repair times

Lastly, here’s a quick list of factors that may affect your car repair time.

• Complexity of repair
• Workshop capacity
• Availability of parts
• Unexpected issues (e.g. extra problems uncovered during the repair process)

Your rights as the car owner

As a garage client and the car’s owner, you have certain rights. Here are the main ones:

• Right to fair pricing - Charges should be fair and consistent with the initial estimate, except in cases of unexpected issues.
• Right to a courtesy car - Your insurance policy may entitle you to a courtesy car if repairs take longer, particularly in non-fault accidents. Check your policy for more information.
• Right to information - The garage must inform you about extra work, delays, and other issues that may arise

Further reading: What to do if the mechanic didn't fix your problem.

Typical car repair times

Here are ten common repairs and their average times. These times will vary based on garage demand, force of impact and type of car. Use these as a rough estimate!

1. Headlight repairs

The average time it takes to repair or replace headlights is one day. 

Most headlight assemblies are readily available in the UK and can be delivered within a few days.

Ultimately, how long to repair headlights depends on the type of vehicle and the availability of parts. For most cars, replacement headlights are easy to obtain from the manufacturer, though they can be pricey. 
Related: How much do headlight replacement bulbs cost?

2. Bumper damage

The average bumper repair time is 1-2 weeks, depending on the level of painting needed. 

Bumpers are designed to be replaced when damaged, but suppliers often don't stock them in the correct paint colour, and older vehicles may have paint fade issues.

Therefore, most bumpers are purchased in primer and colour-matched by a body shop, which extends the lead time.

3. Suspension damage

Allow 4-5 days for most minor and moderate suspension damage. 

The severity of the impact affects repair time. Minor bumps at low speeds usually only require replacing suspension arms, ball joints, and bearings, which are typically available off the shelf.

If the impact damages the subframe or chassis, extensive repairs may be needed. Often, bent subframes or chassis are considered uneconomical to fix and may be written off. If repairable, expect 2-3 weeks for completion.

How long to fix the suspension damage may also depend on the mechanic’s workload. Don’t forget this factor when estimating the time.

4. Alloy wheel damage

A new wheel would be shipped out in 3-4 days and fitted in a matter of minutes by a garage with the right equipment. So, alloy wheel damage repair time is one of the faster ones.

Potholes or debris in the road can easily damage alloy wheels, 9 times out of 10 a wheel with anything more than curbing is not worth fixing. 

The good news is new alloy wheels are readily available both new and on the used market.  

5. Exhaust repairs

Exhaust repairs are fairly commonplace, and usually only take 1-2 days. The time taken to repair the exhaust can vary based on the complexity of the repair.

If your car is louder than usual or you smell exhaust fumes while driving, you likely have an exhaust problem, such as a hole or broken joint. This is common in older cars due to exposure to road water and salt.

Because typical exhaust parts are cheap and readily available, many garages are usually equipped to undertake this work and a specialist is usually not required.

6. Engine servicing 

Most garages would be able to complete a full service in a few hours. Engine servicing times don’t differ much from garage to garage.

Though not always a repair, this essential task helps prolong your engine's life, maintain resale value, and more.

Read more on the benefits of car servicing here. 

7. Wheel bearings

Wheel bearing replacement replacement times are usually 1-2 days. 

Wheel bearings wear out from regular driving and poor road conditions, as they help wheels spin smoothly relative to the suspension.

8. How long to fix a head gasket 

Head gaskets are fairly labour-intensive to change. Allow 4-7 days for this work to be completed. Knowing how long it takes to fix a head gasket can help you plan ahead while your car is in the garage.

Head gaskets are crucial for keeping fluids separate and containing combustion pressure. When they fail, they may blow the engine and extensive work is required.

Find out the prices to expect on a head gasket replacement here. 

9. Failed cambelt 

Typical failed cambelt repair times take 1-2 days if the belt hasn't broken, or 1-2 weeks if it has. 

Cambelts are vital for synchronising the crankshaft and valves. A broken cambelt not only prevents the engine from running but can also cause significant damage.

10. Variable valve timing 

Allow 2-3 days for a variable valve timing fault time. 

Most modern petrol engines use variable valve timing systems like VANOS, VVT, or VTEC to adjust valve openings based on engine load and speed.

It would be unlikely to have a fault with a VTEC system on a Honda engine, BMW Vanos systems and others require routine maintenance. 

Related Reading: BMW Vanos Replacement Costs

More FAQs about repair times for UK vehicles

Here are some final frequently asked questions about how long UK car repairs take.

What cars take longer to repair?

The type of car you drive affects repair time, as some cars are more complex with more components.

This is especially important when dealing with engine components such as cambelts, water pumps and alternators.

Smaller, simpler engines are quicker to disassemble than complex or luxury ones, especially if space is tight. Parts availability can also cause delays, especially for older or less common cars.

How long do car insurance repairs take?

After an accident, your insurance company may take your car for assessment, which could result in a write-off, depending on the damage and the car's value.

This process can take 3 days to 6 weeks.

Repairs might be quicker, but it depends on the repair centre's demand and the time of year.

How long do car repairs take after an accident?

After a major accident with airbag deployment and significant paint damage, repairs can take 2 weeks to 2 months.

Paintwork is often the most expensive and time-consuming part of accident repair, taking much longer than replacing mechanical components. 

Front-end damage is generally easier to fix, though modern cars have complex impact systems that require a thorough inspection. 

Rear damage, especially to quarter panels, usually demands more skilled and time-consuming repairs due to the solid body structure.

Do garages charge to look at your car for brake problems or strange noises? 

Many garages offer free inspections, including brake and suspension checks, often as a complimentary service. If a garage doesn’t provide this, your car might wait until other jobs are done. 

For a better understanding of what to listen out for if your car is making a noise, check out our guide here. 

Do garages charge to look at your car for bodywork repairs? 

Choosing a garage that specialises in crash damage or bodywork ensures your car gets the expert care it needs. Opting for an insurance-approved garage is even better, as they often offer free inspections after an accident. 

Average time for car repair - Conclusion 

Hopefully, this article has helped you understand the common car repair times and when to contact your garage for an update. Understanding these aspects can help you manage repair times and ensure your vehicle stays in top condition. Safe driving!

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