EXPERT IN AUTO PARTS
25 March 2025 (updated) Table of Contents
In this article on car maintenance and the cost of a spark plug replacement for VW, we'll look at popular spark plug brands for a range of models, how many plugs are needed for your VW, and the cost of a complete spark plug replacement depending on the number of cylinders and the price per part (2025). We’ll briefly discuss the signs of spark plug failure, when to replace the parts, and the replacement interval for different VW models.
In 2025, the average cost of replacing spark plugs in VW vehicles should be roughly between £40 and £90, depending on the number of engine cylinders. The following table provides an overview of the models and corresponding spark plug replacement costs per part, as well as the total cost of the set. This price does not include labour costs.
| VW model | Recommended brands | How many spark plugs are in my VW model? (number of engine cylinders) | Total cost of the set (£) | Price per part (£) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GOLF (Mk3, Mk4, Mk5, Mk6, Mk7, Mk8) | Bosch | 4 | £40 – £60 | £10 – £15 |
| POLO | NGK | 3, 4 | £30 – £60 | £10 – £15 |
| TRANSPORTER | Denso | 4 | £40 – £60 | £10 – £15 |
| PASSAT | Champion | 4 | £40 – £60 | £10 – £15 |
| TIGUAN | Beru | 4 | £40 – £60 | £10 – £15 |
| CADDY | Bosch | 4 | £40 – £60 | £10 – £15 |
| TOUAREG | NGK | 6 | £60 – £90 | £10 – £15 |
| CRAFTER | Denso | 4 | £40 – £60 | £10 – £15 |
| TOURAN | Champion | 4 | £40 – £60 | £10 – £15 |
| SCIROCCO | Beru | 4 | £40 – £60 | £10 – £15 |
| UP | Bosch | 3 | £30 – £45 | £10 – £15 |
| SHARAN | NGK | 4 | £40 – £60 | £10 – £15 |
| T-ROC | Denso | 4 | £40 – £60 | £10 – £15 |
| BEETLE | Champion | 4 | £40 – £60 | £10 – £15 |
| ARTEON | Beru | 4 | £40 – £60 | £10 – £15 |
| T-CROSS | Bosch | 4 | £40 – £60 | £10 – £15 |
| GOL | NGK | 4 | £40 – £60 | £10 – £15 |
-20%
Article number: 1496
compared to
RRP
£ 23,65
£ 18,72
Price per item
price incl. 20% VAT, excl. delivery costs
BOSCH Spark plug
M 14 x 1,25, Spanner Size: 16 mm
Article number: 0 242 236 564
£ 8,95
Price per item
price incl. 20% VAT, excl. delivery costs
Article number: 5637
£ 2,79
Price per item
price incl. 20% VAT, excl. delivery costs
-15%
NGK Spark plug
M12 x 1,25, Spanner Size: 14 mm
Article number: 93560
compared to
RRP
£ 27,48
£ 23,23
Price per item
price incl. 20% VAT, excl. delivery costs
BOSCH Spark plug
M 14 x 1,25, Spanner Size: 16 mm
Article number: 0 242 229 654
£ 4,06
Price per item
price incl. 20% VAT, excl. delivery costs
Spark plugs are a key aspect of engine performance. Choosing the right spark plugs for your Volkswagen can significantly influence the performance and service life of your vehicle. One of the most important characteristics to look out for is the electrode material. This determines how long the spark plug will last and how efficiently your VW engine will run.
Single-metal spark plugs are generally the cheapest option. The centre electrode is usually made of a copper alloy, which ensures reliable ignition. However, the service life of copper plugs is only 25,000 - 30,000 kilometres, after which they must be replaced. This type is ideal for those looking for a low-cost solution without a significant loss of performance.
There are two slightly more expensive but more effective options: iridium and platinum. Iridium spark plugs are the most durable and can last up to 100,000 kilometres. They prevent the formation of deposits, which improves the quality of combustion. Platinum spark plugs are usually the cheaper option of the two and have a service life of around 50,000 kilometres. The wear rate of the electrodes is slower, therefore making them a good choice for those who want to find the best balance between price and durability. Your choice should depend on what is more important to you: economy, durability, or performance.
When replacing faulty or broken spark plugs on Volkswagen vehicles, it is advisable to replace the entire set at once. This is because all spark plugs should be identical and, if possible, come from the same set. Differences in electrode material, degree of wear, and spark formation can have a negative effect on engine performance. Replacing the entire set of spark plugs in good time helps to maintain optimum engine performance and prevents potential problems associated with irregular cylinder operation.
In 2025, the average price of replacing a spark plug on a VW in a workshop will be between £50 and £200 - that's how much a mechanic is paid for their work. This does not include the cost of the spare parts themselves. The table below contains more detailed information.
| VW model | Recommended brands | Cost of replacement excl. parts (£) | Replacement time (in hours) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Golf (Mk3, Mk4, Mk5, Mk6, Mk7, Mk8) | Bosch, NGK | £50 – £150 | 1 – 1.5 |
| Polo | Denso, Champion | £50 – £150 | 1 – 1.5 |
| Transporter | Beru, Bosch | £75 – £180 | 1.5 – 2 |
| Passat | NGK, Denso | £50 – £150 | 1 – 1.5 |
| Tiguan | Champion, Beru | £50 – £150 | 1 – 1.5 |
| Caddy | Bosch, NGK | £50 – £150 | 1 – 1.5 |
| Touareg | Denso, Champion | £100 – £200 | 2 – 2.5 |
| Crafter | Beru, Bosch | £75 – £180 | 1.5 – 2 |
| Touran | NGK, Denso | £50 – £150 | 1 – 1.5 |
| Scirocco | Champion, Beru | £50 – £150 | 1 – 1.5 |
| Up | Bosch, NGK | £50 – £150 | 1 – 1.5 |
| Sharan | Denso, Champion | £75 – £180 | 1.5 – 2 |
| T-Roc | Beru, Bosch | £50 – £150 | 1 – 1.5 |
| Beetle | NGK, Denso | £50 – £150 | 1 – 1.5 |
| Arteon | Champion, Beru | £50 – £150 | 1 – 1.5 |
| T-Cross | Bosch, NGK | £50 – £150 | 1 – 1.5 |
Article number: K20PR-U
£ 3,21
Price per item
price incl. 20% VAT, excl. delivery costs
BOSCH Spark plug
M 14 x 1,25, Spanner Size: 16 mm
Article number: 0 241 235 752
£ 4,95
Price per item
price incl. 20% VAT, excl. delivery costs
BOSCH Spark plug
M 14 x 1,25, Spanner Size: 16 mm
Article number: 0 242 235 668
£ 3,85
Price per item
price incl. 20% VAT, excl. delivery costs
Article number: 7811
£ 3,22
Price per item
price incl. 20% VAT, excl. delivery costs
-18%
Article number: K20TT
compared to
RRP
£ 4,79
£ 3,91
Price per item
price incl. 20% VAT, excl. delivery costs
Starting problems: Difficulties in starting the engine in cold temperatures are sometimes caused by an increased load on the car engine due to worn spark plugs.
Engine malfunctions:
Reduced efficiency:
Warnings:
You can replace the spark plugs yourself if there are signs of spark plug failure or various defects. Let's take a look at this brief guide.
Replacing spark plugs in Volkswagen vehicles is an important process to keep the engine running optimally. Let's take a look at the replacement process using the VW Golf 5 model as an example.
VW Golf 5 (1K1) 1.6 (2003-2009):
Our special video tutorial from AUTODOC gives you an in-depth look into the process of replacing spark plugs. In the tutorial we explain:
We recommend watching the video to learn the professional approach to maintaining your Volkswagen!
A useful video on this topic:
DENSO Spark plug
M14x1.25,
NGK Spark plug
M12 x 1,25, Spanner Size: 16 mm
NGK Spark plug
M14 x 1,25, Spanner Size: 16 mm
NGK Spark plug
M14 x 1,25, Spanner Size: 16 mm
BOSCH Spark plug
M 14 x 1,25, Spanner Size: 16 mm
DENSO Spark plug
M14x1.25, Spanner Size: 16 mm
NGK Spark plug
M12 x 1,25, Spanner Size: 16 mm
NGK Spark plug
M14 x 1,25, Spanner Size: 16 mm
NGK Spark plug
M14 x 1,25, Spanner Size: 16 mm
BOSCH Spark plug
M 14 x 1,25, Spanner Size: 20,8