If you've been quoted anything from £200 to £1,500 for a private MRI, you're not imagining the confusion. Prices vary because what's included varies. Here's a straightforward breakdown for patients in Preston and across the North West.
What a private MRI costs at Northwest Health
Our pricing is by the number of body areas scanned in one visit:
- 1 area — £400
- 2 areas — £600
- 3 areas (Silver) — £775
- 4 areas (Gold) — £950
- 5 areas (Platinum) — £1,300
Specialist scans are priced individually: breast £800, prostate mpMRI £775, cardiac £550, and small-bowel £775. Where contrast dye is clinically needed, that's an extra £150.
Why the cheapest scan isn't always the cheapest
You'll see MRI advertised online for around £249. That can be genuinely fine — but check what you're getting. A scan on its own is just images. What turns it into an answer is:
- A GP pre-test review to confirm MRI is the right test and safe for you (no metal implants, etc.)
- A full report by a consultant radiologist
- Someone to explain the result and arrange what happens next
Every scan we do includes all three. Our £400 isn't the rock-bottom price — it's the price for a scan that actually leads somewhere. Hospitals often charge £600+ for the same thing.
Do I need a GP referral for a private MRI?
No. You can book directly. Our GP completes a short pre-test review before every scan, so you don't need a referral letter from your own GP first.
How quickly will I get my results?
Your scan is reported by a consultant radiologist, typically within 3–5 working days, and urgent reporting can be arranged. Results are shared securely with you and, with your consent, your NHS GP.
The bottom line
For most people, the right question isn't "what's the cheapest MRI?" but "what's the cheapest MRI that comes with a proper report and someone to explain it?" That's where a clinic that does the whole pathway — review, scan, report, follow-up — earns its place.
See our full MRI pricing and what's included →
Speak to our team
Book a consultation and we'll build a plan around you. Most enquiries answered the same day.