Why is timing belt replacement so expensive?

If your car has a timing belt, not a chain, it should be replaced after a certain period or high number of kilometers. But why is timing belt replacement so expensive?

Belt replacement costs easily range between 350 and 500 euros, depending on the car. But parts can often be purchased for less than 100 euros. Where does the rest of the money go?

Why is timing belt replacement expensive?

So replacing the timing belt is not expensive due to the parts. Although guide pulleys and a water pump are often included when replacing a belt, the costs don’t really include the material.

In the animation below, you can see that the belt is (mostly) deep in the engine. This means that a workshop employee can easily spend three hours on it. The average Bovag garage charges around 60 to 80 euros per hour as a workshop rate. At a dealership, hourly costs are often higher.

Save money on belt

Saving in any way when replacing your timing belt is highly not recommended. If the belt is not replaced in time, there is a greater possibility that it will break.

If your timing belt breaks, your engine will be severely damaged. In short, just stick to your car’s maintenance period. Although, of course, this applies not only to the timing belt.

If you really want to save some money, ask different rates from garages. Please note, always choose a good garage, cheap is often expensive when it comes to car maintenance.