Fuel tank not levle - engine cut off

Hi

I'm new to this forum and I could use some good advise from you guys. Recently my W203 220 CDI 2003 cut off in the middle of the road without any bad or wired noise coming from the car, it just turned off by it self. The diesel gauge is showing that is has half tank of fuel. I couldn't understand what the problem was to I had it towed. The local garage told me that it was a pump in the tank that needed replacing because the leveling system is faulty, so one half is full while the other is empty. He wants to charge me 600-700 pounds for the job I just filled it up to the top and it worked. It is still running fine if I keep the fuel level above half but even if I fill it up the fuel gauge is still showing that it is about half not full.

I just want to know if there is another option out there. Was told by a friend that I could try finding the parts my self in scrap yards and that would be much cheaper. is that true? could it be another problem then the pump in the tank?

 

Given what you say about the fuel reading, I'd suspect the sender unit.