HOW TO HIRE · VEHICLES & TRANSPORT

How to hire a wheel alignment technician in the UK
The checks, the questions and the paperwork.

Alignment is measured, so ask for the before-and-after printout. Here is what else to ask.

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THE 60-SECOND VERSION

Hiring a wheel alignment technician in five steps

  1. Note the signsPulling to one side, a crooked steering wheel, uneven tyre wear.
  2. Two-wheel or four-wheelMany modern cars need all four checked.
  3. Ask for the printoutReadings before and after, against the maker's figures.
  4. Ask about driver-assist camerasSome need recalibrating after alignment.
  5. Test driveStraight steering wheel, no pull.

BEFORE YOU BOOK

Check before you book

No register applies

Wheel alignment technicians work without any licence or public register in all four UK nations. The work must be done with reasonable care and skill under the Consumer Rights Act 2015.

Ask for the before-and-after printout as part of the price. citizensadvice.org.uk →

The Motor Ombudsman accreditation

Accreditation to The Motor Ombudsman is a voluntary code, not a licence. Its value for a wheel alignment technician is the dispute route: the Ombudsman steps in once the accredited business has had eight weeks to put things right, and a final decision you accept is binding on it.

Search the business name on The Motor Ombudsman's Garage Finder. businesses.themotorombudsman.org →

Price and extra work in writing

With no fixed price, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 entitles you to pay only a reasonable amount for the wheel alignment technician. Citizens Advice notes that a garage can hold on to the vehicle during a dispute over the bill, but has no right to sell it.

Ask for the quote in writing and a phone call before anything is added. citizensadvice.org.uk →

VAT

Wheel alignment is standard-rated at 20%. Wheel alignment technicians whose taxable turnover passes £90,000 must register, charge VAT and show it as its own line on the quote and invoice.

Ask the tyre centre or garage for its VAT number and for the 20% under the alignment. gov.uk →

“Will you do a two-wheel or four-wheel alignment?”

A good answer: What your car needs, and why.

“Will I get a before-and-after wheel alignment printout?”

A good answer: Yes — the readings against the maker's tolerances.

“What if the adjusters are seized?”

A good answer: A call before any extra charge.

“Are any steering or suspension parts worn?”

A good answer: Checked first; alignment cannot fix worn parts.

“Does my car need camera recalibration after the wheel alignment?”

A good answer: An answer for your car.

“Will the steering wheel be centred?”

A good answer: Yes.

“What if the car still pulls after alignment?”

A good answer: They recheck it at no charge.

Getting the quote right

  • Two-wheel or four-wheel alignment
  • Before-and-after printout
  • Seized adjusters or worn parts priced separately
  • The garage's VAT number, and the total with and without VAT
  • Camera recalibration, if needed
  • Who actually attends to the alignment, and whether they are employed or subcontracted

Walk away if

  • No printout
  • An alignment done over worn track rod ends
  • Steering wheel left crooked
  • "Your car needs four new tyres" with no measurements
LOW
£30
TYPICAL
£60
HIGH
£100

What a wheel alignment technician costs: £30–£100 per service

Wheel alignment is priced per service — two-wheel or four-wheel — with seized adjusters, worn parts or camera recalibration extra. Wheel Alignment price guide →

Guide prices compiled by the Locufy team from published Irish and UK provider price lists and 2026/27 cost guides. Updated 2026.

KNOW WHAT TO LOOK FOR? NOW FIND ONE

Wheel alignment technicians near you, with the badges that matter shown

ID checked, trader status and one score from every review — on the card, before you message anyone. Nearest first. No account needed to look.

Or post the job free and let them come to you.

  1. InspectTyres, steering and suspension checked for wear.
  2. MeasureSensors fitted and angles measured.
  3. AdjustToe and other angles set to the maker's figures.
  4. CentreSteering wheel centred.
  5. Print and testPrintout produced and a road test.

Toe
Whether the wheels point in or out, seen from above.
Camber
The tilt of the wheel, seen from the front.
Castor
The angle of the steering axis.
Tracking
Another word for front wheel alignment.
Track rod end
The steering joint adjusted to set the toe.
ADAS
Advanced driver-assistance systems that use cameras and sensors.

AFTER

When the job is done

Keep the printoutIt shows what was found and set.
Test driveOn a straight, flat road: no pull, wheel centred.
Watch tyre wearEven wear over the next months confirms the job.
Review and make-it-rightLocufy's reviews are tied to real bookings. Rate it under four stars and the garage is invited to fix the problem before your review goes up.

STEP 1Tell the garage, in writingDescribe what is still wrong after the wheel alignment and what you want. The Consumer Rights Act 2015 holds the wheel alignment technician to reasonable care and skill.
STEP 2The Locufy make-it-right stepBelow four stars, you decide whether the complaint about the wheel alignment technician goes to the garage first. We follow it through, and then you review.
STEP 3Ombudsman or consumer helplineAsk whether the garage belongs to The Motor Ombudsman; if it does, the Ombudsman can decide the wheel alignment technician dispute after eight weeks. Otherwise call the consumer helpline for your nation, which passes cases to Trading Standards: Citizens Advice on 0808 223 1133 in England and Wales, Advice Direct Scotland on 0808 800 9060, and Consumerline on 0300 123 6262 in Northern Ireland.
STEP 4Small claimsIf the wheel alignment technician still is not settled, the limits are £10,000 in England and Wales (small claims track), £5,000 in Scotland (simple procedure) and £5,000 in Northern Ireland (small claims court). Keep every message and invoice as evidence.

Hiring a wheel alignment technician: questions people ask

No. No UK nation licenses alignment work. Reasonable care and skill is still owed under the Consumer Rights Act 2015.

No certificate, but ask for the before-and-after printout of the readings.

When the car pulls, the steering wheel is off-centre, tyres wear unevenly, or after hitting a kerb or pothole hard.

£30–£100 per service, typically around £60. The wheel alignment price guide explains what moves the figure; enter your postcode above for prices from wheel alignment technicians near you.

No. A sticking brake or a worn part needs repair first.

Go back with the printout. Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 you can require the work to be redone.

MORE GUIDES

More hiring guides in vehicles & transport

How to hire: Mobile Tyre FittingHow to hire: Tyre RepairHow to hire: Alloy Wheel RefurbishmentHow to hire: Brake RepairHow to hire: Car ServicingHow to hire: MOT / NCT ServiceHow to hire: Windscreen ReplacementHow to hire: Mobile MechanicAll 701 hiring guides →

Wheel alignment technicians near you

Wheel alignment technicians in LondonWheel alignment technicians in ManchesterWheel alignment technicians in BirminghamWheel alignment technicians in GlasgowWheel alignment technicians in BelfastAll wheel alignment technicians on Locufy →

Sources — checked October 2026

  1. Citizens Advice — problems with a car repair
  2. The Motor Ombudsman — Garage Finder
  3. Consumer Rights Act 2015, section 49 — reasonable care and skill
  4. gov.uk — make a court claim for money: court fees
  5. mygov.scot — make a court claim for money
  6. nidirect — small claims process
  7. VAT rates — VAT rates for goods and services: standard rate 20% on most goods and services
  8. GOV.UK — Register for VAT: when to register