Car failed today on front drivers side excessive balljoint wear, looks like a new lower wishbone. Garage has said it is OK to change one side, rough price £50 for part, any advice on price and recommendation would be appreciated.

from alternative auto's,price for front wishbone is £39.95+vat for o/e part of £29.95+vat for a pattern part.
i personally would change both at the same time or your just gonna end up in same situation eventually.

Are the wishbones easy enough BTW? done a fair few on different cars (mainly ford) and only had trouble once... Bloody driveshaft.

they can be a bit of a mare to line up the last bolt hole but they aint too bad.easier to fit if you drop the subframe which is what i did last time i changed both of them and the struts

no harder than say an escort wishbone just a bit of fiddling to get it in. also order a new bolt and nut for the balljoint end att he same time.

may be worth getting some new arb droplinks too,they are peanuts to buy and you never know if they have gone untill you take them off