Patient lying on a scanner table with two clinicians beside the scanner

Neck MRI Scan in London

Scans at partner imaging centres in London and across the UK. Consultations at Harley Street and Harrow.

A private cervical spine (neck) MRI, reported by a consultant musculoskeletal (MSK) radiologist, usually within 24 hours. Same-day appointments are available at partner imaging centres in London and across the UK, from £375 (scan and report only).

From £375 · scan and report only
Same-day appointments
Report usually within 24 hours

Call 0203 633 5040 Book online

5.0 65+ Google reviews
5/5 Doctify
Bupa Fee-assured
CQC Registered Sites
GMC / FRCR Dr Prashant Sankaye, Consultant MSK Radiologist

What a neck MRI shows

Disc bulges and herniations in the neck
Pressure on a nerve root, which can cause arm pain, pins and needles or weakness
Narrowing of the spinal canal and pressure on the spinal cord
Arthritis of the small joints of the neck and disc wear
Changes after an old neck injury
Rarely, infection, inflammation or a tumour

When you might need one

Neck pain with pain, pins and needles or weakness down an arm lasting more than 6 weeks
Neck pain that hasn't improved with physiotherapy
Clumsy hands, or trouble with balance or walking, together with neck pain (tell us when you book, as this needs a prompt scan)
Before a spinal injection or a surgeon's opinion

Call 999 or go to A&E now if you have neck pain after a fall, accident or blow to the head; neck pain with a high temperature and a very stiff neck; sudden weakness or numbness in your arms or legs; or loss of bladder or bowel control. Do not wait for a private scan.

What happens

1

Book

Call 0203 633 5040 or book online, and tell us briefly about your symptoms.
2

Safety check

We check that MRI is safe for you (for example pacemakers, implants or metal fragments) and that the scan suits your symptoms.
3

Your scan

At a partner imaging centre in London or elsewhere in the UK. It is painless, uses no X-rays and usually takes 20 to 40 minutes, depending on the area scanned.
4

Your report

A consultant musculoskeletal radiologist usually reports your scan within 24 hours.
5

Talk it through

Choose MRI with a consultation (from £425) and a consultant MSK radiologist will go through your findings and next steps with you.

Cost and what's included

Neck MRI from £375

Scan and report only

With a consultation: from £425

Included in the price:

the scan at a partner imaging centre
a report from a consultant radiologist, usually within 24 hours
your digital images

See all prices

Pay by card; payment plans are available, so ask us for details. Using health insurance? Dr Sankaye is recognised by the major insurers and is Bupa fee-assured; call us and we'll help you check your cover.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a private neck MRI cost?

A cervical spine (neck) MRI at LSRI costs from £375. That includes the scan, a report from a consultant radiologist, usually within 24 hours, and your digital images. It does not include a consultation or advice on treatment. For that, choose MRI with a consultation, from £425.

Will an MRI show what's causing my neck pain?

MRI shows the discs, nerves, spinal cord, joints and bone in detail. But many changes, such as disc bulges, are also common in people with no pain at all. That is why a consultant radiologist reads your scan alongside your symptoms, and why we ask about your history first.

Do I need my whole spine scanned?

Usually not. A neck MRI covers the cervical spine. The upper back (thoracic spine) and the lower back (lumbar spine) are separate scans, each from £375 (scan and report only).

Do I need a GP referral?

Not if you are paying for yourself. Our team checks every request to make sure the scan suits your symptoms. If you are claiming on health insurance, your insurer may ask for a referral first.

How quickly will I get my results?

A consultant musculoskeletal radiologist usually reports your scan within 24 hours. If you would like to go through the results and next steps, choose MRI with a consultation, from £425. Whichever you choose, we will contact you if your report shows anything urgent or unexpected.

Which MRI scanner will I have?

Most scans are on a 1.5 Tesla scanner, which gives clear pictures of joints, tendons, nerves and bone. A 3 Tesla scanner is available at some London centres. Your consultant radiologist chooses how your scan is done for your symptoms.

Can I have more than one area scanned?

Yes. Each body part is a separate scan, each from £375 (scan and report only), and we confirm your total before you book.

I'm claustrophobic. Can I still have a neck MRI?

Tell us when you book. For a neck scan your head is inside the scanner, so we can talk you through what to expect, and open MRI is available at some partner centres (lower image quality, from £375, scan and report only).

Testimonials

What Our Patients Say

"Very good. Excellent. I rang, got answered, filled in form uploading gp referral letter and consultant opinion, got MRI next day, doctor video called me next day … Extremely smooth. 48 hours from first phone call to doctor video conference."

Roddy C. · Google review · October 2026

Our clinics

Two clinics, one team

Dr Prashant Sankaye, Consultant MSK Radiologist, sees patients at Harley Street in central London and at our Northwest London clinic in Harrow. Call one number to book at either clinic.