Guide
What does chiptuning cost?
In the Netherlands and Belgium a Stage 1 generally costs between €200 and €450. That's a wide spread for what is on paper the same work. Here's where that difference comes from.
Where the price comes from
A tuner pays for the software file themselves, usually per car. On top of that the equipment costs money: a read-out tool and above all a stabilised power supply, which keeps the voltage constant while writing.
The rest is time. Reading out, waiting for the file, writing back, checking and a test drive. Reckon on two to three hours, plus the journey if the tuner comes to you.
Why very cheap is a warning sign
Below €200 there's almost nothing left after the file and the travel time. That only works by cutting a corner somewhere: not using a decent power supply, no diagnostics beforehand, or using a standard file that doesn't match your version.
The first is the most dangerous. If the voltage drops while writing, the engine control unit is unusable. Replacing and recoding it easily costs more than the tuning itself.
What should be included in the price
Ask about this before you book. If it isn't included, the price isn't comparable with a provider where it is.
- Diagnostics beforehand, so existing problems come to light
- Reading out and storing the original file
- Reverting within a reasonable period, free of charge
- A test drive afterwards
- Travel costs, if the tuner comes to you
Separate options
Alongside the tuning itself, separate adjustments are often offered: a different shift strategy for an automatic, adjusting the overrun behaviour, or disabling start-stop. Those generally cost between €100 and €250.
If you take something like that during the tuning, it should be cheaper than separately. The tuner is already there and doesn't have to make a second trip.
Our rates are simply on the site, including VAT and including the work at your location. No quote process just to find out what it costs.