The Honest Guide to Engine Replacement Costs in 2026 - What Every Quote Is Hiding
Your mechanic said the engine is dead. Now you are drowning in quotes from EUR 800 to EUR 15,000. Here is exactly what each option actually costs - with the maths nobody shows you.
The 2 AM Research Spiral You Are Currently In
You have seventeen browser tabs open. Three are forum threads where someone called DieselDave62 swears by a rebuilder who has since gone out of business. One is a YouTube video of a teenager replacing an engine in his driveway with tools that cost more than your car. Two are eBay listings showing the same engine at wildly different prices. And one is this article.
Your mechanic delivered the diagnosis somewhere between EUR 4,000 and "might as well scrap it" depending on who you asked. Now you are doing what every sensible person does: trying to figure out what an engine actually costs at two in the morning while your car sits dead in someone else is car park.
Welcome to the research spiral. Let us get you out of it.
What Your Research Is Missing
Here is the problem with every forum thread and price comparison you have found: they are all comparing apples to engine blocks. A "EUR 1,200 engine" and a "EUR 6,000 engine" might both be 1.4 TSIs, but one is a core with 180,000 km that spent two years in a Polish field, and the other is factory-new with a warranty that covers actual problems.
The engine replacement industry has perfected the art of the incomplete quote. Here is what they do not tell you.
The Four Categories of "Replacement Engine"
Every engine you find online falls into one of four categories, and the price difference is not about quality - it is about what you are actually buying.
Used engines (EUR 500-5,500): Pulled from donor vehicles. You are buying whatever was wrong with that engine plus however it was stored. Warranty: 30-90 days, which is barely enough time to discover the oil leak they did not mention.
Reconditioned engines (EUR 1,500-5,500): Used cores that someone has rebuilt. Quality ranges from "replaced the gaskets and wiped it down" to "machined every surface and replaced every bearing." You will not know which you got until month four.
OEM dealer new (EUR 4,500-18,000): What the manufacturer charges. Includes the privilege of paying dealership rates for installation. Three to five year warranty sounds good until you read the exclusions.
Factory-new aftermarket (EUR 2,250-4,490): Same manufacturing standards as OEM, sold through specialist suppliers. This is where Majestic Engines operates. Twelve-month warranty. No prior owner. No rebuild lottery.
The Labour Quote That Is Not Really a Quote
When your garage says "plus labour," they mean somewhere between EUR 600 and EUR 5,500. That is not a typo.
Here is what engine replacement labour actually costs across Europe in 2026:
| Country | Independent Garage | Main Dealer |
|---|---|---|
| Ireland | EUR 600-1,800 | EUR 1,000-2,520 |
| Netherlands | EUR 610-1,710 | EUR 1,200-2,970 |
| Belgium | EUR 600-1,530 | EUR 1,000-2,610 |
| Denmark | EUR 470-1,400 | EUR 940-2,540 |
| Sweden | EUR 520-1,730 | EUR 1,040-5,490 |
| France | EUR 600-1,530 | EUR 950-2,340 |
Standard inline-4 petrol engines need 10-12 hours. Turbocharged engines push that to 14 hours. Diesels with DPF and EGR systems can hit 18 hours. Swedish premium dealers charge up to EUR 305 per hour - your Golf R engine swap could cost EUR 5,490 in labour alone.
The Parts They Will Add to Your Bill
Your engine quote never includes these. Your final invoice always does.
| Component | Budget Range | Quality Range | When Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Timing belt kit with water pump | EUR 65-300 | Always on interference engines | |
| Timing chain kit | EUR 30-750 | Required if chain caused failure | |
| Engine mount set | EUR 80-500 | Usually 1-2 mounts need replacing | |
| Clutch kit | EUR 100-500 | Smart to replace while engine is out | |
| Dual mass flywheel | EUR 200-800 | If symptoms existed before failure | |
| Thermostat and housing | EUR 10-175 | Standard preventive replacement | |
| Coolant 8-10 litres | EUR 30-120 | Required for any swap |
If your engine failed catastrophically - oil starvation, timing failure, or anything that sent metal through the system - add turbocharger replacement: EUR 700-2,500. Debris in a turbo will destroy your new engine within weeks.
Conservative estimate for ancillary parts: EUR 300-800 for a straightforward swap. EUR 1,500-2,500 if your failure was messy.
Why Every Forum Story Ends Badly
The forums are full of horror stories because the forums are where people go when things go wrong. Nobody posts "bought a used engine, it was fine, nothing to report." But the pattern in the bad stories is consistent, and it is worth understanding.
The "Bargain" That Was Not
Story pattern: Found a used engine for EUR 900. Garage fitted it for EUR 800. Month three, oil consumption. Month five, timing chain rattle. Month eight, new engine needed. Total spent: EUR 1,700 plus another engine purchase plus another installation.
Why it happens: Used engines come with used problems. That EUR 900 engine had 140,000 km of someone else is driving, their oil change schedule, their redline habits. The 60-day warranty expired before the problems surfaced.
The Reconditioned Roulette
Story pattern: Bought a reconditioned engine with 24-month warranty. Month fourteen, turbo failed. Warranty claim denied - "turbo not covered." Month sixteen, head gasket. Warranty claim denied - "overheating damage excluded."
Why it happens: Reconditioned engine warranties read like insurance policies. They cover the block and internal rotating assembly. Everything attached to it - turbo, ancillaries, sensors - is excluded. Labour is almost never covered.
The Dealer Shock
Story pattern: Went to dealer for proper job. Quote: EUR 14,000. Engine EUR 8,500. Labour EUR 3,200. Mandatory additional parts EUR 2,300. Timeline: four weeks because engine on back order.
Why it happens: Dealers charge OEM list price plus dealer labour rates plus genuine parts only. They are not overcharging - this is genuinely what OEM replacement costs. Most people just never see these numbers until they need them.
The Price Comparison That Actually Matters
Stop comparing engine-only prices. Here is what total installed cost looks like for common engines across your actual options.
Hyundai and Kia 1.4-1.6L Petrol (G4FA, G4FC, G4FG)
These Gamma and Nu family engines power the i20, i30, Ceed, Rio, and Venga. Popular, reliable, and relatively affordable to replace.
| Option | Engine | Labour (IE) | Parts | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Used (100k km) | EUR 1,500-2,500 | EUR 800-1,200 | EUR 400-600 | EUR 2,700-4,300 |
| Reconditioned | EUR 2,000-4,000 | EUR 800-1,200 | EUR 400-600 | EUR 3,200-5,800 |
| OEM Dealer | EUR 4,000-6,000 | EUR 1,200-1,800 | EUR 600-800 | EUR 5,800-8,600 |
| Majestic Factory-New | EUR 2,768-2,940 | EUR 800-1,200 | EUR 400-600 | EUR 3,968-4,740 |
The maths: Factory-new from Majestic costs less installed than quality reconditioned, with zero prior wear and a 12-month warranty that actually covers things.
Volkswagen Group 1.4 TSI (CAXA, CAV, CZC)
The engine that made the Golf VI, A3, Leon, and Octavia surprisingly quick. Also the engine that made "timing chain tensioner failure" a household phrase.
| Option | Engine | Labour (IE) | Parts | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Used (100k km) | EUR 1,200-1,800 | EUR 900-1,400 | EUR 500-800 | EUR 2,600-4,000 |
| Reconditioned | EUR 1,800-3,200 | EUR 900-1,400 | EUR 500-800 | EUR 3,200-5,400 |
| OEM Dealer | EUR 4,500-8,500 | EUR 1,400-2,100 | EUR 800-1,200 | EUR 6,700-11,800 |
| Majestic Factory-New | EUR 3,309-3,678 | EUR 900-1,400 | EUR 500-800 | EUR 4,709-5,878 |
Critical note: If your 1.4 TSI failed from timing chain issues, any used or reconditioned unit with the original tensioner design will fail the same way. Majestic engines come factory-new with current-spec components.
Volkswagen Group 2.0 TFSI and TSI (CCZ, CHH, CZP)
The performance engines in Golf GTI and R, S3, Leon Cupra, TT, and Scirocco R. Expensive when they break because they are expensive to replace.
| Option | Engine | Labour (IE) | Parts | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Used (80k km) | EUR 2,000-4,500 | EUR 1,000-1,600 | EUR 600-1,000 | EUR 3,600-7,100 |
| Reconditioned | EUR 3,000-5,500 | EUR 1,000-1,600 | EUR 600-1,000 | EUR 4,600-8,100 |
| OEM Dealer | EUR 8,000-18,000 | EUR 1,600-2,400 | EUR 1,000-1,500 | EUR 10,600-21,900 |
| Majestic Factory-New | EUR 5,031-5,523 | EUR 1,000-1,600 | EUR 600-1,000 | EUR 6,631-8,123 |
The CZP engine - the one in your Golf GTI Mk7 or Polo GTI AW - costs EUR 12,000-18,000 from a dealer. Majestic sells it factory-new for EUR 4,490 plus VAT. That is 63 percent below dealer pricing for the same specification.
Ford Transit 2.2 TDCI (DRF, CYF, DRR, CVR)
If your business runs on Transits, you already know engine failure costs more than just the repair bill.
| Option | Engine | Labour (IE) | Parts | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Used (120k km) | EUR 1,000-2,000 | EUR 1,000-1,600 | EUR 500-900 | EUR 2,500-4,500 |
| Reconditioned | EUR 1,500-3,300 | EUR 1,000-1,600 | EUR 500-900 | EUR 3,000-5,800 |
| OEM Dealer | EUR 4,700-8,200 | EUR 1,600-2,400 | EUR 900-1,400 | EUR 7,200-12,000 |
| Majestic Factory-New | EUR 4,539 | EUR 1,000-1,600 | EUR 500-900 | EUR 6,039-7,039 |
RWD Transit engines command 10-20 percent premium over FWD - different sump and flywheel housing. Make sure your quote specifies the correct variant.
Toyota 3.0 D-4D (1KD-FTV)
The engine that keeps Land Cruisers and Hiluxes running past 500,000 km - when it is working. Known for injector failures and piston cracking on pre-2015 models.
| Option | Engine | Labour (IE) | Parts | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Used (100k km) | EUR 3,500-5,500 | EUR 1,200-1,800 | EUR 700-1,200 | EUR 5,400-8,500 |
| Reconditioned | EUR 2,800-5,500 | EUR 1,200-1,800 | EUR 700-1,200 | EUR 4,700-8,500 |
| OEM Dealer | EUR 8,000-12,000 | EUR 1,800-2,600 | EUR 1,000-1,500 | EUR 10,800-16,100 |
| Majestic Factory-New | EUR 4,293 | EUR 1,200-1,800 | EUR 700-1,200 | EUR 6,193-7,293 |
Used 1KD-FTVs hold their value because of Land Cruiser and Hilux demand. A used engine with 100k km costs almost as much as factory-new from Majestic - with none of the warranty protection.
The Warranty Reality Check
Every engine comes with a warranty. Most warranties come with exclusions that make them nearly useless.
What Dealer Warranties Actually Cover
OEM dealer warranties run 3-5 years and 36,000-60,000 miles. Sounds comprehensive until you read the fine print:
- Excludes maintenance items
- Excludes modifications
- Requires dealer servicing at dealer prices
- Prorated after year one or two
What Rebuilder Warranties Actually Cover
Reconditioned engine warranties typically run 6-24 months, unlimited mileage. The exclusions list is longer:
- Turbochargers: excluded
- Timing components: excluded
- Sensors and electronics: excluded
- Labour costs: excluded
- Overheating damage: excluded
- Failure to follow break-in procedure: excluded
You are covered for internal engine failure - which almost never happens to properly rebuilt units. You are not covered for the problems that actually occur.
Requirements are strict: oil change at 500-600 miles, then every 4,000-6,000 miles with receipts showing registration and mileage. Remove the heat tab? Warranty void.
What Used Engine Warranties Actually Cover
Most used sellers offer 30-90 days covering internal defects only. Three months is barely enough time to install the engine and discover the head gasket was already failing.
What Majestic Warranties Actually Cover
Twelve months on factory-new engines. No mileage restriction. Professional installation required - which you would want anyway. Standard new-engine terms without the reconditioned exclusions.
Your Action Plan for Tomorrow Morning
Stop reading forums. Here is what to do instead.
Step 1: Confirm the Diagnosis
Before spending anything, verify the engine actually needs replacing. Symptoms like white smoke, knocking, or oil consumption can have cheaper causes. Get a compression test and leak-down test. If multiple cylinders show problems, replacement is likely the answer.
Step 2: Calculate Your True Budget
Engine price is 50-70 percent of total cost. Add:
- Labour at local rates (check the table above for your country)
- Ancillary parts minimum EUR 400, likely EUR 600-1,000
- VAT at your local rate
- Transport if garage is not collecting engine
Step 3: Request Complete Quotes
When requesting quotes, require:
- Engine specification and source
- Exact labour hours and rate
- List of ancillary parts and prices
- Warranty terms including exclusions
- Total installed price with VAT
Any supplier unwilling to provide this level of detail is not worth your business.
Step 4: Compare Like With Like
Used vs reconditioned vs new is not a price comparison - it is a risk comparison. A EUR 1,500 used engine with 150,000 km and 60-day warranty is not "cheaper" than a EUR 3,500 factory-new engine with 12-month warranty. It is a different product entirely.
Step 5: Factor In Your Time
The cheapest option that fails in six months costs more than the mid-price option that lasts. How much is another breakdown worth? Another week without your car? Another research spiral at 2 AM?
The Bottom Line
Engine replacement in 2026 costs EUR 3,000-15,000 installed, depending entirely on what you buy and from whom. The gap between options is not about quality in the traditional sense - it is about risk.
Used engines cost less because you are betting the previous owner is problems are not your problems. Reconditioned engines cost more but shift the risk to rebuild quality and warranty fine print. OEM dealer engines cost most because you are paying for the badge and the dealership margin.
Factory-new aftermarket engines - what Majestic Engines supplies - sit in a different category: new-engine quality at reconditioned prices, without the lottery of prior wear or rebuild variance.
The forum advice you have been reading is not wrong, exactly. It is just advice from people who took specific gambles and are reporting specific outcomes. Some won. Some lost. None of them had this pricing data in front of them when they decided.
You do.
Ready to end the research spiral? Request a quote for your specific engine. We will tell you exactly what it costs - no hidden fees, no surprise additions, no warranty exclusions buried in page twelve.
Get Your Engine Quote Now!