- Home/
- Costs/
- Wheel Alignment/
- Wheel Alignment Inspection and Repair Cost guide

Wheel alignment costs: What to expect and how to budget
Get a free quote nowPost to find a price. It's free and only takes a minute.
Price guide
£17 - £70
low
£17
median
£27
high
£70

Last Updated on
Key Facts
Wheel alignment and repair costs vary, typically around £17 to £70. However, costs can increase further with additional repairs, so budgeting for inspection and potential suspension work is wise.
If the vehicle keeps pulling to one side with the steering wheel vibrating, these are the signs that it needs a wheel alignment.
Wheel alignment typically requires a professional and is never recommended as a DIY job due to the precision and equipment involved.
If your car feels like it’s drifting to one side or your steering wheel seems off-centre, chances are your wheels are out of alignment. It’s a common issue drivers face over time, especially with regular road bumps, potholes, or wear and tear.
You’ll have to get your tyres repaired to protect them from premature wear, ensuring driving safety and fuel efficiency. But what’s the real cost of realigning your wheels? Prices can vary depending on the make and model of your vehicle, whether you drive a front-wheel, rear-wheel, or four-wheel drive, and if additional adjustments or parts are needed.
In this guide, we’ll break down UK wheel alignment costs, highlight the key factors influencing the price, and explain what to expect when booking the service.
What is wheel alignment and how does it work?
Wheel alignment refers to adjusting the angles of the wheels, ensuring proper contact with the road surface. This helps improve the vehicle's suspension, keeping a smooth car ride even when driving on uneven terrain. There are two wheel alignment types, namely,
- Front wheel alignment: Also known as a front-end alignment, this wheel service involves changing only your front two wheels. It's popular for Front-wheel drive (FWD) vehicles and older cars with a traditional rigid axle.
- Four-wheel alignment: Adjusts both the front and rear wheels of the vehicle; ideal for all vehicle types and drivetrain layouts.
When it comes to wheel alignment, mechanics and technicians often look at and address specific issues:
- Camber: It's the angle of your tyres when viewed from the front. Tilting too much in either direction means that re-alignment is required. Ignoring this can lead to worn-out suspension, ball joints, and worn bearings.
- Toe: It's the angle of your tyres when viewed from above. The front edges of your tyres could either move close together or ‘toe in’ or farther apart or ‘toe out’, requiring a wheel alignment.
- Caster: It's the angle of the ‘steering axis’ when looking at the side of the wheel. It’s responsible for keeping the vehicle stable and balanced, so it needs an alignment if it starts to tilt backwards or forward.
- Ride height: It's the distance between the vehicle's chassis and the ground. Typically adjusted by modifying sagging or worn-out suspension components like springs or shocks
How much does wheel alignment cost in the UK?
Wheel alignment costs vary depending on the type of alignment required. As you might have guessed, four-wheel alignments are more expensive. The average for a small car is around £27, while larger vehicles are roughly £67. However, most experts advise budgeting no less than £67 if additional items need repair or replacement.
The type of vehicle can also affect pricing. Here’s a table showing the price difference between various types of cars for wheel alignment.
Type of vehicle |
Estimated costs |
---|---|
2010 Ford Fiesta |
£25-£50 |
2016 Toyota RAV | £23-£70 |
2012 Mazda 6 |
£39-£70 |
Remember also that there’s an additional labour cost to consider. Mechanics can ask for anything from £17 to £56 per hour per hour and may base the price on an estimated hourly rate plus the materials costs.
Digital systems help technicians assess and correct alignment with high precision. (Source: iStock)
What factors affect the cost of a wheel alignment?
As noted, there are other issues that a mechanic will consider before they do an alignment. These include steering and suspension components, as well as the ride height and suspension springs. They may also inquire if you are interested in tyre balancing or other suspension repairs that can all bump up the project's cost in terms of labour and materials.
Signs you need a wheel alignment
Although you will require an expert’s opinion to ensure that any problems with a vehicle are due specifically to alignment issues, the most common signs that it is time for a wheel alignment are:
- The tread on one or more wheels is uneven or worn at odd angles.
- Your vehicle 'pulls' to one side or another rather than driving straight (a test is to lift the hands slightly from the wheel while traversing a straight road, and if the vehicle drifts instantly to one side or another, it is “pulling”)
- The steering wheel seems to vibrate when you are driving at speed.
- The steering wheel is off-centre when you are driving a straight stretch of road (i.e. the centre, upright post is tilted to one side)
- It has been more than six months, or 10,000 km, since you last had the alignment checked.
- You recently hit a pothole or curb, and the vehicle handles it differently.
An alignment is likely needed if one or more of these signs apply to your vehicle.
Camber, toe, and caster adjustments are key parts of a complete wheel alignment process. (Source: iStock)
Find a mechanic for wheel alignment at Airtasker
Misaligned wheels can lead to uneven tyre wear, poor handling, and extra fuel costs, which are problems you don’t want to ignore.
With Airtasker, finding a trusted mechanic for wheel alignment is quick and hassle-free. Just post your task, compare offers from rated mechanics near you, and choose the one that suits your needs and budget.
Don’t let a minor issue turn into a costly repair. Book a wheel alignment expert on Airtasker today.
Related articles
Related articles