I've been told by my local garage that the water pump on my 2018 Skoda seven seater needs to be replaced. They have given me a price and timeslot. Unfortunately, this is sometime in the future and I really need to sort it out sooner.

Is this the sort of job that can be done by a competent DIY car owner or should it be left to a professional mechanic?

If the latter, what are forum members' views regarding using mechanic with a van doing the repair on the driveway? Or is this type of repair really one that can only really be done in a workshop?

But what actually is involved in ‘replacing the water pump’?

I’m certain that other components probably should be replaced perhaps could be reused in order to cut costs but maybe at reduce reliability.

I had to look at your profile to see it is a 1.5 TSI ACT.

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What price did they give to do the job?

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Is there a leak from the water pump?

Edited 12 March, 20251 yr by Ootohere

Kodiaq Edition (7 seats) 1.5 TSI 150 PS DSG

Garage £1k

Mechanic with van £250

Leak is from water pump bearing seal

Hi

I have recently come across the same issue on my 2017 model. I have had since new in September 2017 so I believe one of the first models. No engine issues until now where the water pump housing is leaking. Only other issue was the door handle snapping away from the door!

Can anyone advise if the full housing needs replacing or is it depending on each individual job? That housing is not cheap!

Cheers. Andy

Thanks Andy for your input.

Hopefully we’ll have the answers we seek.

What is it with VAG water pumps?

Sticking sleeves plaguing the 2.0 TDI engines for what feels like forever, weaknesses with the 1.4 TSI water pumps (had mine replaced under warranty), and now the 1.5 TSI.

Will they ever learn?

On 14/03/2025 at 02:50, Ulsinus said:

Garage £1k

Mechanic with van £250

That's a big difference.

Maybe the man with a van is not understanding the complexity of the job. Has he / she done one of these before?

Suspect it will be harder to get a warranty if it goes bad from a fly by night dude in a van....at least a garage is a fixed address and you don't have to search the entire country to find them again.

I'd be worried old mate in a van will just disappear into the ether if it goes wrong.

Google part price. Can't be alot of margin in 250.

Very sage advice.

I couldn’t see how for £250 the man with the van could make any profit. Presumably he’d suck on his tooth and then start building the real price once he’s got the car.

Your comments re warranties are well made and very insightful.

I opted for the traditional garage and was delighted when the actual price came considerably less than the original budget price.