Car Heater Core Repair and Replacement Cost in UAE (2026)
The heater core is a small radiator located inside the dashboard that uses hot engine coolant to warm cabin air. Although UAE winters are mild and the cabin heater is rarely used, the heater core carries hot coolant at all times the engine is running. A corroded or cracked heater core leaks coolant into the cabin and causes coolant loss, which in UAE summer can lead to overheating. The heater core fault is diagnosed by a sweet coolant smell inside the cabin and a fogged windscreen with a greasy film that resists cleaning.
Heater Core Repair and Replacement Costs in UAE (2026)
| Service | Cost (AED) |
|---|---|
| Heater core replacement (compact/sedan) | 400-1,200 |
| Heater core replacement (SUV/MPV) | 800-2,500 |
| Heater core bypass hose (temporary fix) | 100-200 |
| Coolant flush and refill after replacement | 100-300 |
| Heater hose replacement | 100-300 |
Heater Core Replacement Labour in UAE
The heater core parts cost AED 100-500, but the majority of the total cost is labour. On most vehicles the entire dashboard must be removed to access the heater core, requiring 4-8 hours of labour. UAE mechanics charge AED 250-600 per hour for dashboard removal work, which is why total costs are AED 400-2,500 depending on vehicle type. Luxury vehicles (BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Porsche) are at the higher end. A temporary bypass — routing the heater hoses to bypass the core — stops the leak for AED 100-200 but disables the cabin heater and does not stop coolant loss long-term. Use GarageBuddy to find UAE garages with the experience to handle dashboard removal for heater core work.