Car Knock Sensor Replacement Cost in UAE (2026)
The knock sensor (also called a detonation sensor) detects abnormal combustion — engine knocking or pinging — and signals the ECU to retard ignition timing to prevent engine damage. In UAE, where summer temperatures cause fuel to vaporise more easily and where fuel quality can vary between service stations, the knock sensor plays an important role in protecting the engine from detonation. A failed knock sensor causes the ECU to apply a fixed safety timing retard, which reduces engine power and increases fuel consumption even when no actual knocking is occurring.
Knock Sensor Replacement Costs in UAE (2026)
| Service | Cost (AED) |
|---|---|
| Knock sensor (aftermarket) | 60-200 |
| Knock sensor (OEM) | 150-500 |
| Labour (sensor access — easy) | 50-120 |
| Labour (sensor access — difficult, under intake) | 200-500 |
| Diagnostic scan and fault code reading | 80-150 |
Knock Sensor Issues in UAE
The knock sensor is typically mounted on the engine block and measures vibration at the frequency of detonation (combustion knock). UAE knock sensor failures are often caused by the sensor wiring connector becoming corroded or loose, the sensor body cracking from engine heat cycling over years of UAE summer operation, or the sensor mounting bolt becoming loose (the sensor must be torqued to the correct specification — too tight or too loose affects its sensitivity). On some UAE engines (particularly V6 engines), the knock sensor is located under the intake manifold, making labour access difficult and expensive. A pre-replacement diagnostic scan confirms fault code P0325-P0334 before committing to the repair. Use GarageBuddy to find UAE garages for knock sensor replacement.