What does it cost to repair a convertible top?

"What will this cost?" is almost always the first question when a convertible top fails. And the honest answer is: it varies enormously, from a few tens of euros to more than a thousand euros. What makes the difference is not so much the car's brand. It's how early you catch the problem, and whether it's in the oil, the lines, the electronics, or the pump.

Below is an overview of what the different repairs actually cost. We sell parts, so we have an interest in you buying something. Precisely for that reason, we also tell you when you don't need the most expensive part.

 

The inexpensive repairs

Refilling oil, from about 20 euros
If the roof moves slowly and the pump gurgles, insufficient oil is the most common cause. A bottle of hydraulic oil is often enough to top up the system and flush it once. Important: if the level is too low, oil has leaked out somewhere. Refilling solves the symptom, not the cause.

Maintaining rubbers and seals, 15 to 50 euros
Dried-out rubbers let water through, stick, and make the roof heavier. A maintenance product costs a few tens of euros and prevents much more expensive damage. This is not a repair but prevention, and it is by far the cheapest money you can spend on your convertible.

Replacing a gear, 45 to 90 euros
In a number of models, such as the VW Eos, the Mini R52, and the VW Lupo, there is a plastic gear in the drive mechanism that loses its teeth after years. The roof then no longer moves, while the motor is audibly running. The part itself costs a fraction of a complete motor. This is one of those cases where it really pays to diagnose properly first.

 

The mid-range category

Repairing a leaking hose
This is the scenario most customers come to us with, and where the biggest savings can be made. If one hydraulic line leaks in one spot, you don't have to replace the entire line. With a repair coupling, you cut out the damaged piece and reconnect the line.

Please note: this only works with factory hoses with an inner diameter of 1.8 or 2.0 mm and an outer diameter of 4.5 mm. How to measure that can be read here. For some models, this solution is not suitable; these are listed on the product page.

A custom hose
Is the damage too close to a fitting, is the line affected in multiple places, or does the repair coupling not fit your model? Then a new custom hose is the solution. You determine the length and both couplings. For exotic couplings, for example for a Lamborghini or Ferrari, we have a special version.

Replacing a sensor, approximately 90 to 100 euros
Hall sensors and position sensors ensure that the system knows where the roof is. If one breaks, the roof often stops at exactly the same point. At the dealer, you usually pay significantly more for it, while in many cases it is literally the same part.

 

The more expensive repairs

A reconditioned pump
The pump is the heart of the system, and also the most expensive component that regularly breaks down. The price strongly depends on the model. A reconditioned pump is almost always the sensible choice: significantly cheaper than new, and tested before it leaves the door.

Replacing cylinders
Separate used cylinders are available for a modest amount. A complete set of new cylinders for, for example, a Saab 9-3 can run up to over a thousand euros. That difference is large, and it pays to first determine which cylinder is causing the problem instead of immediately replacing the entire set.

A roof module or control unit
The electronic module that controls the roof can fail, often due to water damage. Used, tested modules are available for a fraction of the new price.

 

What you pay at a garage

The parts prices above are what you pay if you buy the part from us. If you have the work done, labor costs will be added. This varies too much per garage and per model to mention specific amounts.

However, as a rule of thumb: the deeper the part is in the roof, the more hours it will take. A sensor that you can reach when the roof is open is a matter of minutes. A cylinder in the middle of the mechanism means that the roof must be partially disassembled.

Always ask for a specification that lists parts and labor separately. Then you can see where the money is going, and whether you might want to purchase the part yourself.

 

Why it turns out more expensive at the dealer

Three reasons, and none of them have to do with quality:

  • Replacement instead of repair: manufacturers often supply parts only as a complete unit. One leaking line at the dealer means a complete new set of lines. That is faster and more certain for them, but it costs you many times more.
  • No reconditioned parts: a reconditioned pump offers the best value for money for many customers, but is not part of a brand dealer's standard offering.
  • Diagnosis hours: convertible tops are specialized. A garage that rarely sees one will need more time to find out what is going on.

One of our customers put it this way after ordering a custom hose: elsewhere it would cost around 140 euros, with us he paid less, and the roof worked again within two days.

 

The repair that saves you the most money

That's the one you don't have to do. Most expensive malfunctions start small. A line that tears at a bending point begins with some pressure loss. A pump that breaks down has often been circulating air for months because there was too little oil in it. Rubbers that dry out let water into the electronics.

Spending half an hour annually on cleaning, lubricating, treating rubbers, and checking the oil level prevents a large part of this. The parts for that together cost less than fifty euros.

 

Don't know what repair you need?

Describe to us what the roof does: where it stops, what sound you hear, and whether it improves with the engine running. Often, these three answers are enough for us. Also read what a slow or halfway stopping roof means and how to recognize a defective pump or cylinder.

 

Doubting the diagnosis or want a price indication? Contact us. We are happy to help you.

Back to blog

Contact form