Before I start phoning the local garages to enquire about getting one fitted, how much can I expect it to cost me?

Probably want one of those ones where the ball bolts onto a plate, whatever they are called.

Definately beyond my mediocre mechanical skills to fit btw,

I had a mobile chap fit mine with single electrics at my house and it cost me £190 two years ago.
That was on a Kia Sedona 7 seater, if thatmakes a difference.

It varies massively, based on the price of the bar, (which varies on price and manufacturer) type of electrics you have to buy, price of the installer etc. £190 sounds very much at the cheaper end.

Getting one fitted to a Zafira tomorrow – 200 quid plus VAT, at a specialist towbar place I’ve used before. That’s for a cheaper one (not a Witter) with single 7-pin electrics, as all I’ll be using it for is a bike rack so don’t need a big heavy duty one.

just had a quote for the same car, price was 190 quid..

I paid about £450 or so for the one on my Passat. I could have halved that by not getting the full electrics, but I wanted the trailer stability programme for safety reasons.

http://www.towbarexpress.co.uk

PS if you want a towbar for bike rack duties only I think Thule make a bracket that is actually purposely designed for bike racks, rather than being designed for towing things and bodged for bike racks.

£100 for the kit – http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fixed-Flange-Towbar-For-VW-Passat-Estate-2011-On-Twin-Electrics-/380470931362?forcev4exp=true
£25 for the relay – http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Full-Bypass-Relay-KIT-Protect-Your-Management-System-/230847007584?pt=UK_Car_Accessories_Touring_Travel&hash=item35bf8dcb60

£100 for fitting?

I was quoted £500 for a detachable Westfalia one for my Passat estate, including electrics for the rear parking sensors and new black trim under the bumper that has a built-in flap. I think that was £80 on its own.

try Jims Towbars

http://jimstowbars.net/

did one for me a few weeks ago – very quick, professional and cheap 😀

200 quid plus VAT

[quote]price was 190 quid[/quote]

about £450 or so

[quote]£100 for the kit, £25 for the relay, £100 for fitting?[/quote]

I was quoted £500

So, we’re all agreed I was right then? 😀

The reason for the variation is that you have two options – proper electrics or bodge electrics. I went with proper.