Compare Pollen Filter Replacement Deals

What Does a Pollen Filter Do?

Your pollen filter (also known as a cabin filter) sits between the outside air intake and your car's interior, cleaning the air before it reaches the vents. It's designed to trap pollen, dust, exhaust particles and other debris, which is why it plays a bigger part in your air-conditioning and heating performance than most drivers realise.

A clogged filter restricts airflow through the whole system, not just the vents themselves, so it affects how quickly your car warms up, cools down or clears a foggy windscreen. It also plays a role in keeping the air inside your car reasonably clean, which matters most if you spend a lot of time in traffic or driving through built-up areas.

That’s why it’s worth replacing your pollen filter at regular intervals.

How Often Should I Replace My Pollen Filter?

As a general guide, most manufacturers recommend a change every 12 to 18 months or every 10,000 to 15,000 miles, whichever comes first. Drivers who do a lot of city driving or regularly use dusty routes may find their filter needs changing sooner.

We recommend checking your vehicle handbook to find the recommended interval for your specific vehicle, as these vary by manufacturer.

Can I Replace My Pollen Filter Myself?

While you can replace your own pollen filter if you know where to find the housing on your vehicle, there are plenty of ways it can go wrong.

If you fit the wrong filter (as cabin filters come in many sizes, shapes and orientations, and your vehicle will take a specific one) or miss a retaining clip, you can easily find yourself needing to replace the filter again sooner than you should.

As a result, we recommend finding a great local garage to replace your pollen filter unless you’re a confident, experienced amateur mechanic who knows what they’re doing and what part they need.

Is a Pollen Filter Replacement Included in a Service?

A pollen filter replacement is included as standard in a BookMyGarage Major Service, so if you're already due one, this is likely to be taken care of at no extra cost.

A replacement isn't automatically part of an Interim Service or Full Service, (although the condition is checked during a full service), but it can be added on when you book either of those if your vehicle is approaching the recommended replacement interval, should this work out cheaper than upgrading to a major service.

How Much Does a Pollen Filter Replacement Cost?

On average, a pollen filter replacement in the UK costs between £30 and £80, though this will depend on your exact make and model.

While the part itself usually costs between £15 and £30, garages usually charge around half an hour of labour on top which raises the price.

For this reason, it makes far more sense to book a car service which includes a pollen filter change instead of booking this repair as a standalone job to avoid paying unnecessary labour costs.

Warning Signs to Look For

A pollen filter usually fails gradually rather than suddenly, so it's worth knowing what to look out for as it clogs up:

• Reduced or inconsistent airflow from the vents

• Weaker air conditioning performance

• A musty or damp smell inside the cabin

• Visible dust, leaves or debris around the vents

• A windscreen that's slow to demist or defog

These signs tend to show up most from spring onwards, when the UK's pollen season picks up and the filter has more to deal with.

If weaker aircon is one of the symptoms you're noticing, it's worth considering an air conditioning regas too, since a clogged filter is one of the most common causes of reduced air-con performance.

Why Book with BookMyGarage?

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These are just some of the reasons to choose BookMyGarage — enter your reg and postcode to compare pollen filter replacement prices near you.