How Much Does Towbar Fitting Cost? UK Price Guide 2026

For most cars in the UK, a professionally fitted towbar costs between £320 and £800 supplied and fitted. The exact price comes down to three things: the type of towbar, the electrics you choose, and your vehicle. This guide breaks down 2026 prices by setup and by car, explains why two quotes for the same vehicle can differ by hundreds of pounds, and shows how to get a quote you can trust.

At a glance

£320 – £800
Most cars, supplied and fitted: £800 – £1,500
EVs and premium vehicles: 1.5 – 4 hours
Typical fitting time: £30 – £50
Mobile fitting premium: £40 – £100
Vehicle coding, if needed: £40 – £80
13-pin over 7-pin electrics

Towbar fitting prices at a glance

Typical UK towbar fitting prices by setup
Setup	Typical fitted price
Fixed towbar with 7-pin electrics	£320 – £450
Fixed towbar with 13-pin electrics	£380 – £550
Detachable towbar with 7-pin electrics	£450 – £650
Detachable towbar with 13-pin electrics	£500 – £750
Swan-neck detachable with 13-pin electrics	£550 – £800
EVs, hybrids and premium vehicles	£800 – £1,500

These prices include the towbar, a wiring kit, fitting labour and VAT. Mobile fitting at your home or work typically adds £30 to £50.

Prices correct as of August 2026. Always get a quote against your registration.

Supply-only vs supplied and fitted

Most people want a "supplied and fitted" price, which covers everything above. If you are pricing the parts separately, a towbar kit on its own is roughly £100 to £350 depending on brand and type, and fitting labour adds around £100 to £200. Buying the bar yourself rarely saves much once you account for the wiring, coding and the risk of buying the wrong kit, so a single fitted quote is usually the better route.

What affects the price?

Towbar type

A fixed towbar is the cheapest and the usual choice for vans and regular towing. A detachable towbar adds £100 to £200 but can be removed when not in use, keeping the rear clean and avoiding parking-sensor issues. Swan-neck and flange styles affect accessory compatibility more than price, though swan-neck detachables sit at the top of the range.

Electrics: 7-pin or 13-pin

Expect 13-pin electrics to add £40 to £80 over a basic 7-pin socket. You need 13-pin for a modern caravan; 7-pin is enough for a small trailer or bike rack.

Dedicated vs universal wiring

A dedicated (vehicle-specific) wiring kit costs £50 to £150 more than a universal kit, but on most cars built in the last 15 years it is the right choice, because it works properly with CANbus, trailer stability and parking sensors.

Vehicle coding

Many German and Swedish makes (BMW, Audi, VW, Mercedes, Volvo) need software coding after fitting so the car recognises the trailer. This adds £40 to £100 if not already included.

Your vehicle

Some cars need the bumper removed or trimmed, some have easier access, and electric vehicles need extra care around the battery. Small hatchbacks and older cars sit at the bottom of each range, large SUVs and anything needing coding sit at the top, and EVs are a category of their own.

Mobile or workshop fitting

Mobile fitting usually adds £30 to £50, which many people find worth it for the convenience. The quality is the same either way with an experienced fitter, as the job is identical.

Typical cost by vehicle

Indicative fitted prices for popular towing vehicles, based on a detachable towbar with dedicated 13-pin electrics:

Typical towbar fitting prices by vehicle
Vehicle	Typical fitted price	Notes
Nissan Qashqai	£500 – £650	Straightforward on most years
Ford Kuga	£500 – £680	Hybrid models cost more
VW Tiguan	£550 – £750	Coding usually required
Kia Sportage	£500 – £650	Straightforward fit
Volvo XC60	£600 – £800	Coding required
Ford Transit Custom	£450 – £600	Fixed flange towbar typical
Tesla Model Y	£900 – £1,300	EV-approved towbar and specialist fitting

The exact price depends on the year and trim, so always quote against your registration rather than a generic figure.

What is the cheapest towbar fitting, and is cheap worth it?

The lowest quotes usually get there in one of two ways: a universal wiring kit instead of a dedicated one, or leaving out the coding your car needs. On an older, simple car that can be fine. On a modern car it is a false economy, because you can end up with warning lights, disabled parking sensors and no trailer stability, and putting it right costs more than doing it properly first time. If one quote is much cheaper than the rest, ask exactly what wiring it uses and whether coding is included.

How long does towbar fitting take?

Most fits take between 1.5 and 4 hours. A simple fixed towbar with 7-pin electrics is quickest; cars needing the bumper removed and software coding take the longest.

How to get an accurate quote

Give every fitter the same details so you are comparing like for like:

Your registration number (year and trim matter)
What you will tow: caravan, trailer, or just a bike rack
Fixed or detachable towbar
7-pin or 13-pin electrics, and whether the kit is dedicated
Whether coding is included if your car needs it
Workshop or mobile fitting

Fitter's tip

If one quote is well below the others, that is usually where a universal kit or missing coding is hiding.

Towbar fitting costs in Leicester

Prices in Leicester and Leicestershire track the national ranges above, and several local fitters offer mobile fitting across LE postcodes at little or no extra charge. You can request quotes from local Leicester towbar fitters here, covering Leicester and the surrounding towns.

Frequently asked questions

For most cars, a professionally fitted towbar costs between £320 and £800 supplied and fitted. A fixed towbar with 7-pin electrics starts around £320 to £450, a detachable with 13-pin is typically £500 to £750, and EVs or premium vehicles can be £800 to £1,500.

It depends on the towbar type, the electrics and your vehicle. As a guide, a mainstream SUV with a detachable towbar and dedicated 13-pin electrics is usually £500 to £750 fitted, more if coding or an EV setup is involved. Quote against your registration for an exact figure.

Because the spec differs: the towbar brand, universal vs dedicated wiring, whether coding is included, and the warranty. Two quotes £150 apart are often not for the same job.

A fixed towbar with 7-pin electrics on an older car is the cheapest, from around £320. On a modern car, avoid the temptation of a universal kit or skipped coding, as the cheap option often costs more to fix later.

Established companies normally quote VAT-inclusive prices. Smaller sole traders may not be VAT-registered at all. Always confirm the quote is the final on-the-day price.

Between 1.5 and 4 hours depending on the vehicle and electrics. A simple fixed bar with 7-pin electrics is quickest; cars needing bumper removal and coding take longest.

You should tell your insurer, as a towbar counts as a modification. It rarely changes the premium, and some insurers view it positively.

Get towbar fitting quotes in Leicester

Prices vary by vehicle and spec. Request quotes from local Leicester towbar fitters and get an accurate quote against your registration.

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How much does towbar fitting cost? UK price guide (2026)