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Imaging · London

The right MRI, at the right London clinic - arranged by a clinician, not an algorithm.

A radiographer guides a patient onto the bed of an advanced 3 Tesla MRI scanner in a London imaging suite

Indicative pricing

Honest ranges, not "from £249" bait pricing.

Indicative ranges across UK private providers.

In short

£275-£500, reported in 24-72 hours.

Scan type Indicative range
Single body part (knee, shoulder, brain, lumbar spine, etc.) £275–£500
Two body parts £450–£800
Three body parts £650–£1,100
Full spine (cervical, thoracic, lumbar) £600–£950
MRI with contrast (gadolinium) + £50–£150
Multi-parametric prostate MRI (mpMRI) £550–£950
Cardiac MRI £750–£1,400
Breast MRI £600–£1,000
Full-body MRI screening £750–£1,900
Paediatric MRI Quoted case by case
Open / upright MRI (claustrophobia-friendly) £400–£700

Prices vary by clinic, time of day, scanner field strength (1.5T vs 3T), and whether contrast is used.

The problem

Booking an MRI in London is harder than it should be.

Prices vary fourfold. Half the clinics on Google are referral funnels. The wrong scan answers the wrong question. This guide explains what to look for in a clinic and in the report - and when an MRI is not the right next step.

  • Not sure if you need an MRI?

    Sometimes an ultrasound, X-ray or specialist consultation is the better first step.

  • Not sure which MRI?

    Brain, spine, knee, prostate, cardiac - the right protocol matters as much as the right body part.

  • Not sure which clinic?

    Clinics across central, north, west and south London differ - compare scanner quality and reporting.

By body part

Find the scan that matches the symptom.

Each guide covers when the scan is used, what it detects, price range and what to expect.

Specialist MRI types

Not all MRIs are the same.

What each option on your referral is actually for.

  • 3T high-field MRI

    Sharper images for brain, spine, prostate and small joints.

    Read more

  • 1.5T MRI

    Well-established and often preferred for patients with certain implants.

    Read more

  • Wide-bore MRI

    A larger scanner opening for bigger or anxious patients.

    Read more

  • Open / upright MRI

    For severe claustrophobia, or weight-bearing spine imaging.

    Read more

  • MRI with contrast

    Extra characterisation for tumours, inflammation and vascular questions.

    Read more

  • Multi-parametric prostate MRI

    The modern standard before any biopsy decision. Reported with PI-RADS.

    Read more

  • Cardiac MRI

    Gold-standard non-invasive assessment of heart muscle and function.

    Read more

  • Paediatric MRI

    Child-friendly clinics with experienced paediatric radiographers.

    Read more

Safety and eligibility

One of the safest tests in medicine.

A few situations need specific checks.

  • Pacemakers, defibrillators, neurostimulators

    Many modern devices are MR-conditional.

  • Aneurysm clips and vascular coils

    Model and date of insertion matter. This is normally needed from your hospital.

  • Metal fragments (eye, shrapnel)

    May need a prior orbit X-ray.

  • Joint replacements, stents, plates

    Almost always fine. May cause local artefact but rarely a safety concern.

  • Dental work, tattoos, coils

    Almost always fine. Iron-based tattoo ink may warm slightly - tell the radiographer.

  • Pregnancy

    No ionising radiation. Generally safe, particularly after the first trimester. Contrast avoided unless essential.

  • Breastfeeding

    Gadolinium is permitted. No need to pump and discard.

  • Kidney function

    A recent eGFR is needed if contrast is planned.

  • Weight and size

    Most scanners accommodate up to 200 kg. Wide-bore options for larger patients.

  • Children

    Paediatric-friendly clinics. Sedation arranged where required.

Reading your report

A report can look intimidating. It isn't.

Almost every MRI report follows the same four-part structure.

A consultant radiologist reviewing MRI images on a clinical workstation in Central London

A quiet reminder

Your report is written for your doctor, not for you.

Ask your clinician to talk you through it before your follow-up.

  1. 01 Header

    Your details and the question

    Who you are, what scan was performed, and the clinical question your referrer wanted answered.

  2. 02 Technique

    How the scan was done

    Which sequences were used (T1, T2, FLAIR, diffusion). Each highlights tissue differently.

  3. 03 Findings

    What the radiologist saw

    A region-by-region description, including normal anatomy and any incidental findings.

  4. 04 Impression

    The conclusion: read this first

    A short summary of what matters. Your specialist will discuss it in context.

Recognised by major UK insurers

BupaAXA HealthVitalityAvivaWPACignaHealixBupaAXA HealthVitalityAvivaWPACignaHealixBupaAXA HealthVitalityAvivaWPACignaHealix

Coverage varies by clinic and policy.

Frequently asked

The questions people ask most often.

Quick answers on referrals, insurance, claustrophobia and second opinions.

  • How soon can I get a private MRI scan in London?

    Private providers often scan within one to three working days, with evening and Saturday appointments common. If your GP or consultant flags it as urgent, a same‑day slot can often be found.

  • Do I need a referral?

    Most scans accept self-referral.

  • Will my insurance cover this?

    Most policies cover MRI when medically indicated and pre-authorised. Bupa, AXA, Vitality, Aviva, WPA, Cigna and Healix are recognised.

  • What's the difference between 1.5T and 3T?

    3T gives sharper images for brain, spine, prostate and small joints. 1.5T is well-established and often preferred with certain implants.

  • Will I get the images, not just the report?

    Yes. You get the consultant radiologist report and the full DICOM image set on USB or secure online access.

  • Can the report go to my GP or consultant?

    Yes. With your consent, the report and images can be sent directly to your referring clinician once they are signed off.

  • Can I have a full-body MRI screening without symptoms?

    Yes. It has real value and real limitations, particularly the rate of incidental findings. Both should be explained before you book.

  • Are children scanned at your clinics?

    Yes. Paediatric-friendly clinics with experienced radiographers. Sedation arranged by a consultant paediatric anaesthetist where required.

  • What does a second-opinion read cost?

    Typically £250-£450 depending on complexity.

  • Will the MRI hurt?

    No. Painless. Loud, so you have headphones or earplugs, and you need to lie still.

  • Can I have an MRI if I'm claustrophobic?

    Yes. Open-bore scanners, music, eye masks, a companion, or a mild sedative if needed.

In practice, in London

Why private MRI moves differently in London

With MRI, the London question is usually about report turnaround and the radiologist reading it - not whether the scan is available. Public provision for MRI is competent but constrained by capacity. Private London clinics tend to have shorter diaries and longer appointment slots, so you get the same specialists with more time. For people who’ve been going round in circles with primary care, that first proper conversation is often what shifts things.

The mechanics are straightforward: a consultant appointment, any tests done at a nearby CQC-registered site, and a written report back within a few days. London’s density of private diagnostics - Marylebone, the City, Chelsea, Canary Wharf - means most patients can find something that fits around work without a cross-town trek. For MRI specifically, the difference between a routine report and a sub-speciality read is where private care earns its keep.

There are dozens of consultants in London who see MRI - but not all of them are the right fit for every case. The right first appointment saves you from repeating yourself later.