A fair price in seconds, mechanics you can trust, next-day service at your door
Excellent rating - 4.7 out of 5 (7400+ reviews)
Up to 50% cheaper than franchise dealers
Instant fixed price quotes
(no hidden estimates)
Fully vetted & qualified mechanics
1 year parts & repairs warranty
Next day bookings at your home or office
Get your car repaired at your home or office
Expert Mechanics
200+
Total expert alternator repair mechanicsNumber of Ratings
1,375
Total number of alternator repair reviewsAverage Rating
Average user rating for alternator repair bookingsGarage in Horton, 20 years of experience
STEPHEN
Ford Focus • Alternator replacement
KARTREESE
Ford Focus • Auxiliary drive belt replacement
Garage in Grantham, 12 years of experience
Mobile mechanic in Swadlincote, 16 years of experience
GUY
Vauxhall Zafira • Alternator replacement
STUART
Ford Fiesta • Alternator replacement
Labour times and part prices vary depending on the particular vehicle, but to give you an idea here are some examples.
Car | Franchise Dealer estimate | Independent Garage estimate | ![]() |
Saving |
---|---|---|---|---|
Car1999 Mitsubishi Space Star | Franchise Dealer Est.£359 - £396 | Independent Garage Est.£272 - £301 | ClickMechanic Est.£273 - £302 | Saving23% |
Car2009 Audi A6 | Franchise Dealer Est.£1023 - £1131 | Independent Garage Est.£803 - £888 | ClickMechanic Est.£804 - £889 | Saving21% |
Car2013 Fiat Doblo Cargo XL | Franchise Dealer Est.£303 - £397 | Independent Garage Est.£229 - £307 | ClickMechanic Est.£230 - £308 | Saving23% |
Car2000 Fiat Multipla | Franchise Dealer Est.£297 - £373 | Independent Garage Est.£223 - £286 | ClickMechanic Est.£224 - £287 | Saving23% |
Car1999 Fiat Bravo | Franchise Dealer Est.£429 - £504 | Independent Garage Est.£329 - £390 | ClickMechanic Est.£331 - £392 | Saving22% |
Read our short guide with information on costs, symptoms and more.
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.
The alternator is a generator that is turned by a belt from the engine crankshaft. The rotating electromagnet inside the unit creates an alternating current (AC), that is converted to direct current (DC) by the rectifier. The regulator then controls the amount of the power generated in line with demand to recharge the battery.
The charging system warning light is used to “excite” or wake up the generator and start distributing the power being created. This is why the battery light comes on with the ignition, then goes out once the charging is in operation - if the battery light remains on, or comes on with the engine running then there is an issue with the alternator generating power and the battery will not be recharged.
Should you experience any problems like those listed above 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.
As the alternator is the sole device on a vehicle that charges your battery, any failure in performing that role will result in the battery power being diminished and as a result will inevitably end with a “flat” battery. As the power reduced, certain electrical circuits will shut down, some of which are critical to the vehicles safety such as the ABS (Anti Lock Braking System) and power steering if electrically operated.
Eventually the vehicle will no longer have power to keep the engines electrics running and the motor will stop - and you will not be able to re-start it either until the battery is charged.
With modern alternators, there is little to be gained in overhauling one. The individual parts are often hard to come by and the labour time required is so high that it much better to simply replace it.
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!
How much does an Alternator Replacement cost?
The cost of an alternator replacement depends on your 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!
These estimates may include Alternator
57 manufacturers for Alternator Repair
Name | Clickmechanic Click mechanic average | Independent garage estimate | Franchise dealer estimate | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Alfa RomeoParts costs: £191.99 - £389.99 Labour time: 0-3 hours # of quotes: 963 |
£350 |
£241 - £461 |
£328 - £662 |
Get exact price |
AudiParts costs: £211.69 - £509.29 Labour time: 0-2 hours # of quotes: 5541 |
£404 |
£261 - £512 |
£352 - £683 |
Get exact price |
AustinParts costs: £142.62 - £213.50 Labour time: 0-1 hours # of quotes: 14 |
£205 |
£167 - £227 |
£220 - £311 |
Get exact price |
BentleyParts costs: £355.65 - £610.29 Labour time: 0-2 hours # of quotes: 10 |
£503 |
£405 - £605 |
£526 - £803 |
Get exact price |
BMWParts costs: £253.69 - £637.39 Labour time: 0-2 hours # of quotes: 7504 |
£438 |
£303 - £597 |
£402 - £768 |
Get exact price |
CadillacParts costs: £197.09 - £404.04 Labour time: 1-2 hours # of quotes: 4 |
£339 |
£259 - £402 |
£361 - £534 |
Get exact price |
ChevroletParts costs: £149.64 - £400.34 Labour time: 0-2 hours # of quotes: 732 |
£323 |
£199 - £405 |
£277 - £542 |
Get exact price |
ChryslerParts costs: £291.99 - £551.45 Labour time: 0-3 hours # of quotes: 567 |
£471 |
£341 - £599 |
£448 - £829 |
Get exact price |
CitroenParts costs: £193.44 - £462.08 Labour time: 0-2 hours # of quotes: 5256 |
£366 |
£245 - £478 |
£335 - £647 |
Get exact price |
DaciaParts costs: £173.59 - £307.19 Labour time: 1-2 hours # of quotes: 64 |
£301 |
£231 - £343 |
£322 - £481 |
Get exact price |
DaewooParts costs: £169.63 - £374.39 Labour time: 0-1 hours # of quotes: 106 |
£289 |
£219 - £361 |
£301 - £472 |
Get exact price |
DaihatsuParts costs: £110.95 - £374.77 Labour time: 0-1 hours # of quotes: 69 |
£276 |
£160 - £361 |
£231 - £473 |
Get exact price |
DaimlerParts costs: £256.43 - £384.90 Labour time: 0-2 hours # of quotes: 8 |
£357 |
£306 - £381 |
£406 - £504 |
Get exact price |
DodgeParts costs: £266.44 - £649.51 Labour time: 0-1 hours # of quotes: 136 |
£424 |
£310 - £596 |
£407 - £758 |
Get exact price |
DSParts costs: £214.93 - £490.06 Labour time: 0-1 hours # of quotes: 11 |
£332 |
£264 - £459 |
£356 - £590 |
Get exact price |
FiatParts costs: £163.51 - £403.19 Labour time: 0-2 hours # of quotes: 4816 |
£303 |
£213 - £407 |
£294 - £544 |
Get exact price |
FordParts costs: £189.79 - £428.95 Labour time: 0-2 hours # of quotes: 25448 |
£330 |
£239 - £417 |
£326 - £548 |
Get exact price |
HondaParts costs: £239.99 - £579.79 Labour time: 0-2 hours # of quotes: 4147 |
£425 |
£289 - £570 |
£386 - £754 |
Get exact price |
HyundaiParts costs: £211.99 - £501.50 Labour time: 0-2 hours # of quotes: 1802 |
£360 |
£261 - £478 |
£352 - £621 |
Get exact price |
InfinitiParts costs: £322.21 - £386.65 Labour time: 1-2 hours # of quotes: 1 |
£361 |
£380 - £380 |
£502 - £502 |
Get exact price |
IsuzuParts costs: £293.68 - £441.84 Labour time: 0-2 hours # of quotes: 43 |
£390 |
£343 - £439 |
£450 - £583 |
Get exact price |
IvecoParts costs: £235.19 - £427.29 Labour time: 0-1 hours # of quotes: 58 |
£371 |
£262 - £405 |
£337 - £525 |
Get exact price |
JaguarParts costs: £251.84 - £575.99 Labour time: 0-2 hours # of quotes: 2915 |
£421 |
£301 - £545 |
£400 - £706 |
Get exact price |
JeepParts costs: £260.97 - £660.13 Labour time: 0-1 hours # of quotes: 464 |
£454 |
£305 - £605 |
£400 - £769 |
Get exact price |
KiaParts costs: £215.99 - £547.49 Labour time: 0-1 hours # of quotes: 1095 |
£381 |
£260 - £511 |
£346 - £656 |
Get exact price |
Land RoverParts costs: £271.99 - £502.48 Labour time: 0-2 hours # of quotes: 5034 |
£425 |
£321 - £522 |
£424 - £709 |
Get exact price |
LDVParts costs: £229.94 - £432.75 Labour time: 0-1 hours # of quotes: 152 |
£339 |
£263 - £410 |
£341 - £531 |
Get exact price |
LexusParts costs: £303.16 - £619.95 Labour time: 0-1 hours # of quotes: 414 |
£457 |
£352 - £571 |
£462 - £729 |
Get exact price |
London Taxi's InternationalParts costs: £229.94 - £275.93 Labour time: 0-1 hours # of quotes: 1 |
£263 |
£279 - £279 |
£374 - £374 |
Get exact price |
LotusParts costs: £182.99 - £251.99 Labour time: 0-1 hours # of quotes: 2 |
£243 |
£232 - £259 |
£317 - £350 |
Get exact price |
MaseratiParts costs: £513.31 - £705.30 Labour time: 1-2 hours # of quotes: 5 |
£611 |
£573 - £649 |
£734 - £828 |
Get exact price |
MazdaParts costs: £197.09 - £501.36 Labour time: 0-1 hours # of quotes: 1333 |
£376 |
£241 - £467 |
£323 - £599 |
Get exact price |
Mercedes-BenzParts costs: £277.39 - £639.65 Labour time: 0-2 hours # of quotes: 5766 |
£477 |
£326 - £637 |
£431 - £846 |
Get exact price |
MGParts costs: £175.19 - £328.16 Labour time: 0-2 hours # of quotes: 302 |
£280 |
£224 - £344 |
£308 - £469 |
Get exact price |
MINIParts costs: £226.09 - £473.03 Labour time: 1-3 hours # of quotes: 1967 |
£393 |
£286 - £505 |
£391 - £695 |
Get exact price |
MitsubishiParts costs: £191.62 - £445.66 Labour time: 0-2 hours # of quotes: 678 |
£351 |
£241 - £431 |
£328 - £565 |
Get exact price |
Mitsubishi FusoParts costs: £186.14 - £223.37 Labour time: 1-2 hours # of quotes: 1 |
£220 |
£241 - £241 |
£332 - £332 |
Get exact price |
NissanParts costs: £197.99 - £522.54 Labour time: 0-2 hours # of quotes: 2763 |
£369 |
£247 - £506 |
£335 - £664 |
Get exact price |
PeroduaParts costs: £173.49 - £325.26 Labour time: 0-1 hours # of quotes: 3 |
£268 |
£223 - £321 |
£306 - £425 |
Get exact price |
PeugeotParts costs: £192.09 - £472.16 Labour time: 0-2 hours # of quotes: 6902 |
£376 |
£244 - £492 |
£334 - £668 |
Get exact price |
Peugeot TalbotParts costs: £204.61 - £280.40 Labour time: 0-1 hours # of quotes: 28 |
£269 |
£226 - £283 |
£289 - £378 |
Get exact price |
PiaggioParts costs: £200.74 - £240.89 Labour time: 0-1 hours # of quotes: 1 |
£229 |
£244 - £244 |
£327 - £327 |
Get exact price |
PorscheParts costs: £341.24 - £659.18 Labour time: 1-2 hours # of quotes: 160 |
£547 |
£396 - £656 |
£518 - £872 |
Get exact price |
ProtonParts costs: £139.19 - £607.74 Labour time: 0-1 hours # of quotes: 18 |
£401 |
£188 - £558 |
£265 - £710 |
Get exact price |
RenaultParts costs: £211.51 - £516.12 Labour time: 1-3 hours # of quotes: 5506 |
£413 |
£277 - £556 |
£384 - £766 |
Get exact price |
RoverParts costs: £190.84 - £352.41 Labour time: 0-4 hours # of quotes: 519 |
£342 |
£240 - £490 |
£327 - £744 |
Get exact price |
SaabParts costs: £231.77 - £475.95 Labour time: 1-2 hours # of quotes: 1172 |
£379 |
£286 - £468 |
£387 - £617 |
Get exact price |
SEATParts costs: £186.14 - £464.58 Labour time: 0-2 hours # of quotes: 1530 |
£324 |
£235 - £447 |
£321 - £584 |
Get exact price |
SkodaParts costs: £193.44 - £472.92 Labour time: 0-2 hours # of quotes: 1480 |
£348 |
£243 - £465 |
£330 - £614 |
Get exact price |
SmartParts costs: £214.73 - £542.22 Labour time: 1-2 hours # of quotes: 298 |
£414 |
£277 - £545 |
£383 - £727 |
Get exact price |
SsangyongParts costs: £394.10 - £699.53 Labour time: 0-1 hours # of quotes: 16 |
£558 |
£443 - £632 |
£571 - £797 |
Get exact price |
SubaruParts costs: £180.67 - £411.71 Labour time: 0-1 hours # of quotes: 116 |
£288 |
£197 - £392 |
£249 - £510 |
Get exact price |
SuzukiParts costs: £204.39 - £437.50 Labour time: 0-1 hours # of quotes: 1037 |
£327 |
£253 - £414 |
£343 - £535 |
Get exact price |
ToyotaParts costs: £208.72 - £447.15 Labour time: 0-2 hours # of quotes: 5763 |
£347 |
£258 - £449 |
£348 - £599 |
Get exact price |
VauxhallParts costs: £204.39 - £497.17 Labour time: 0-2 hours # of quotes: 15330 |
£356 |
£253 - £480 |
£343 - £628 |
Get exact price |
VolkswagenParts costs: £209.87 - £482.77 Labour time: 0-2 hours # of quotes: 9341 |
£373 |
£259 - £490 |
£350 - £657 |
Get exact price |
VolvoParts costs: £210.15 - £462.31 Labour time: 0-2 hours # of quotes: 3095 |
£376 |
£259 - £443 |
£350 - £576 |
Get exact price |
Prices could not be created for 24 models. Show ∨
Estimates on repair costs, such as the above results for an alternator repair, are created by combining data from multiple third-party sources. The actual cost of using your local repair providers may be outside of the estimated range. We provide estimates on 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.
Get an instant quote, then book a vetted mechanic to fix your car at your home or office.
These recent quotes were taken from our quote engine which uses third-party industry standard data on repair times, along with a live parts retailer, and a regional labour rate to build an accurate free quote. We are constantly improving our quote engine, so please let us know if a price seems incorrect.
The driver came to the house with a spare battery and installed in. He then drove the car to the garage for replacement and also MOT.
Returned the car mid-afternoon.
All very hassle-free & efficient“
READ MORE