Top Mechanics For Alternator Repair & Replacements
80 Reviews
Mobile mechanic in Bristol , 5 years of experience
Why visit a garage? when you can opt for the convenience of a mechanic that comes to you, whether at home or at work. The range of work carried out includes (but is not limited to) servicing, brakes, batteri...
RICHARD • 18th March 2024
Fiat Punto • Alternator replacement
57 Reviews
Garage in Bicester, 15 years of experience
Highly skilled automotive technician, having 9 years of experience with Seat, Skoda, Audi and BMW main dealers in the UK. Skoda and Audi certified technician. I am looking forward in providing a top qualit...
261 Reviews
Garage in Birmingham, 8 years of experience
Been working in a garage for more than 7 years as a mechanic. Now I am happy to travel to fix cars at your home and work address. If you have any questions just ask. Always happy to help Please note: In th...
22 Reviews
Garage in Rotherham , 19 years of experience
Fully qualified level 3 dealer mechanics ev/hybrid trained with mot license.
SHAUN • 18th March 2024
Nissan Qashqai • Alternator replacement
47 Reviews
Garage in Birmingham , 20 years of experience
Hello I have been working as a mechanic for more than 10 years, doing work efficiently and quickly.
544 Reviews
Mobile mechanic in London, 9 years of experience
3 years at AVS where I started my mechanics as an apprentice, mastering general repairs and servicing on a wide range of vehicles , 2 years as a fast fitter in car giant. Perfecting replacing brakes, tyres ...
DARREN • 16th March 2024
98 Reviews
Garage in Stoke On Trent , 10 years of experience
Hy there my name is Lucian and I'm the owner of IFIX SELFSERVICE GARAGE located in Stoke on Trent .In ours facilities you can find the best mechanics services with over ten years experience ! General mechan...
TOM • 15th March 2024
Fiat Punto Evo • Alternator replacement
2 Reviews
Garage in Bexhill, 38 years of experience
I've been a mechanic for over 35 years I undertake most mechanical work Clutches cam belts water pumps servicing general servicing and welding
IAN • 14th March 2024
Ford Fiesta • Alternator replacement
187 Reviews
Garage in Cranbrook, 20 years of experience
Full range of mechanical work including full diagnostic equipment, service and repair, welding, mot prep, car delivery
SIMON • 14th March 2024
Vauxhall Vivaro • Alternator replacement
25 Reviews
Mobile mechanic in Reading, 19 years of experience
Mobile mechanic offering the following services for all makes and models. Servicing Repairs Diagnostics MOTs. Previously worked for the biggest fleet management service for the UK, servicing and re...
DANIEL • 14th March 2024
Honda Civic • Alternator replacement
2 Reviews
Garage in Kent, 30 years of experience
VAUXHALL TRAINED TECHNICIAN MANY YEARS EXPERIENCE ON ALL MAKES AND MODELS AT INDEPENDENT GARAGE AND RUNNING MY OWN BUSINESS FOR 12 YEARS DEALING WITH ALL MAKES AND MODELS
6 Reviews
Mobile mechanic in London , 18 years of experience
I’ve worked in the motor industry for over 18 years now my main experience is with all makes and models but my specialty is in jaguar and German makes of car as I spent most of my career in jaguar, BMW and M...
39 Reviews
Garage in Portsmouth, 21 years of experience
Over the years I have worked in various garages, carrying out mechanical repairs, including, servicing, general repairs, mot repair, cambelts/timing chains, clutches, head gaskets, engine replacements etc I ...
RICHARD • 12th March 2024
Land Rover Range Rover • Alternator replacement
455 Reviews
Mobile mechanic in Wakefield, 20 years of experience
15 years experience as a mechanic, 9 years spent as a commercial vehicle technician at ford. competent in all aspects of vehicle maintenance and repair including diagnostics.
TINA • 12th March 2024
Toyota Avensis • Alternator replacement
161 Reviews
Garage in Falkirk, 10 years of experience
Self employed mechanic covering a large area of central Scotland. No job to big or small.
Frequently asked questions about alternator repair & replacements
Read our answers to questions about alternator repair costs, symptoms and more.
What does an alternator do?
The alternator is an electrical generator driven by a belt off the engine to charge the battery of the car. It is vital that the alternator works effectively, seeing that the battery provides electricity to a range of components.
What does an alternator replacement involve?
- Mechanic will inspect the car's battery charging system.
- Mechanic will inspect the alternator's ancillaries (drive belt, cables etc.)
- Mechanic will test the voltage output of the alternator.
- If necessary, the mechanic will replace the alternator.
- Mechanic will advise if any other parts of the electric system need to be replaced.
- Mechanic will test the charging system and will test drive the car.
Can I replace my alternator myself?
Unless you are a qualified mechanic with the required skills, training and equipment to do the job, we strongly recommend an alternator replacement is only carried out by a professional mechanic. ClickMechanic can help get you a vetted and local mechanic to carry out the work. Just enter your postcode and your car's registration number at the top of this page and select the work needed to get an instant fixed price up front.
What are the symptoms of a bad alternator?
- When the battery warning light on the car's dashboard has lit up.
- When the battery is not being recharged
How long does it take a mechanic to replace an alternator?
On average, alternator replacement times can range from 1 hour to 2.5 hours with an average of just over 1 hour. The time that the job takes will depend on a number of factors, like your vehicle's make and model, year, as well as other factors. Select your car at the top of this page for information on job time and cost for your vehicle through ClickMechanic.
How often should I replace an alternator?
Generally alternators only need to be replaced if there is an issue with them. Should you experience any problems like those listed it is important to have the battery charging system inspected and, if necessary, have the alternator replaced.
As the demand for more and more electrical equipment and devices on modern vehicles increases, the demand on the alternator is increased. Therefore whilst the units themselves have improved dramatically in design and reliability, this is outweighed by the increased reliance on it. So, alternator replacement is a frequent repair on most vehicles at some point.
What are the signs of a bad alternator?
If the battery light remains on with the ignition (and does not go out once the charging is in operation), or comes on with the engine running then there is an issue with the alternator generating power and the battery will not be recharged. It is important to get a professional mechanic to check the issue as soon as possible.
How can I extend the lifetime of my alternator?
Because it is not possible to turn the alternator off and it will therefore always be turning when the engine is running, there is little you can do to prevent wear and tear. Obviously as an electrical device, they do not like water, so avoiding flooding is important!
Can you drive with a bad alternator?
If you have a bad alternator then technically your car will likely still drive, but it is advisable to get help from a professional mechanic before running the vehicle again. Not addressing issues with the alternator will lead to your battery not getting charged and a flat battery, ultimately leading to your vehicle not being able to start again.
Should you replace battery with alternator?
Whether you will need to replace the battery with the alternator ultimately depends on the battery's condition. If you're not sure if it needs replacing we'd recommend booking with a professional mechanic to check the issue and advise on next steps.
How long will a battery last with a bad alternator?
There are a number of factors that would determine how long a battery would last if the alternator is bad and not charging it correctly. Primarily it will depend on how much energy your car consumes and the condition of the battery.
Is a faulty alternator an MOT failure?
No, a car will not fail its MOT on an alternator issue itself. The alternator is not checked as part of the MOT, but a garage may flag it as something to address outside of an MOT to help ensure your vehicle will be able to charge its battery as intended.
Can a bad or faulty alternator affect a new battery?
A bad alternator can damage a new battery if the battery is not receiving the proper charging voltage. While it may not completely destroy it, a faulty alternator can cause a new battery to drain more quickly than it should.
Can a car work without an alternator?
It is possible for a car to run without an alternator, but it will not run for very long. It is likely that the battery will eventually die, and the car will eventually come to a halt.
Can an alternator fail suddenly?
Alternators can fail suddenly, but more often than not they will slowly lose their ability to charge the battery and eventually die. So even if it fails while driving, you may still be able to drive the car a few miles before the car comes to a complete stop.
How do I check if my car alternator is working properly?
The easiest way to check if your alternator is working is to start the car and let it idle. Then, turn on all of the car's accessories one at a time. If the car's battery dies while the accessories are on, then the alternator is not working.
Additionally, the battery should be tested for voltage. If the battery is low, the alternator may not be charging the battery. Depending on the electrical system, a voltmeter reading in the 13.8 to 15.3 volt range with the engine running, lights and accessories off, generally indicates that the alternator is working as it should be.
Can I jumpstart a car with a bad or faulty alternator?
If the battery is not dead, then yes, you can jumpstart a car with a bad alternator, but it will only run for a short period of time before the battery is drained again.
What happens when the car alternator fails while I am driving?
If your alternator dies while driving, your car will eventually lose power and come to a stop. You may notice the first signs of a dying alternator with dimmed interior lights and warning lights on the dashboard. The best thing to do in this case is find a safe place to stop and call for professional help.
How do I fix a bad alternator?
In most cases the alternator would be replaced if it bad or faulty. Alternators can be refurbished but often getting a new one fitted is more cost-effective. An alternator is an electrical component that is key to supplying power to your car so fixing it is a job best left to qualified technicians.
How much does an alternator replacement cost?
On average, a typical alternator repair costs £250, with prices ranging from £150 to £400. Ultimately, cost depends on your location, car and what parts your car's manufacturer recommends using for the replacement. Find out what you could save by having your alternator replaced by ClickMechanic by selecting your car at the top of this page!
Check out the ClickMechanic price for an alternator repair. See the averages for different makes below. We consolidate industry standard data with millions of data points to give you the most accurate price. These estimates may include Alternator.
Name | Average Cost | |
---|---|---|
Audi | £431 | Get exact price |
BMW | £420 | Get exact price |
Citroen | £414 | Get exact price |
Ford | £310 | Get exact price |
Land Rover | £415 | Get exact price |
Mercedes-Benz | £453 | Get exact price |
Nissan | £360 | Get exact price |
Peugeot | £419 | Get exact price |
Renault | £423 | Get exact price |
Toyota | £319 | Get exact price |
Vauxhall | £320 | Get exact price |
Volkswagen | £340 | Get exact price |
Estimates on average repair costs, such as the above results for an alternator repair, are based on ClickMechanic's quote data which combines multiple third-party sources. Actual costs may vary. We provide estimates on average repair costs for information only and accept no liability for any inaccuracies or errors. If you think an estimate is incorrect, please contact us to let us know.
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Mechanics that undertake alternator work
- AB Auto Repairs, Axminster
- AG Mechanics LTD, Perth
- Awt Mobile Mechanic, Kent
- C & D Motors, Alloa
- Caithness Car And Commercial, Wick
- Fuel Drain / Fd Services, Stevenage
- Jhoyle Mobile Mechanic, Preston
- Jonathan Mcloughlin Autocare, St Helens
- Jump Start James, Newton Abbot
- Latif Autos, Milton Keynes
- M & R Auto Repairs, Hampshire
- MJB Tyre & Auto Services, Dyffryn Ardudwy