Clutch replacement & repair made easy

The clutch on a vehicle is a friction plate which, when engaged, transfers the turning force of the engine, through to the gearbox and subsequently, the wheels.

A lot of the process to change a clutch is vehicle specific, however there are a few standard steps. The mechanic will:

• Raise the vehicle
• Split the gearbox from the engine
• Remove the old clutch unit
• Fit a new clutch kit
• Put everything back together
• Road test the vehicle

Unless you are a qualified mechanic with the required skills, training and equipment to do the job, we strongly recommend a clutch 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.

If you drive a vehicle with a manual gearbox, at some point you will experience a clutch starting to wear, the same as you will with brake pads.

The friction material will start to wear thin and it will no longer provide sufficient contact with the flywheel and you will experience the clutch slipping, so here are some tell tale signs of this occurring;

• The engine speed will rise up rapidly, but you do not go any faster, especially up hill or under hard acceleration
• You notice an almost electrical sweet burning smell inside the car

Other symptoms though are prevalent

• You can engage a gear when the engine is off, but not when it is running
• The clutch pedal biting point (this is the point when you feel the vehicle moving from stationary for example) has become much higher up in the pedal travel
• You start to find it harder to move between gears and can often hear a crunch as you do so

On average, clutch replacement times can range from around 3 hours to over 7.5 hours with an average of around 4 hours. 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.

A vehicle with a manual gearbox is likely going to need a clutch replacement at least once in its lifetime. If you start to experience any of the above symptoms, you are going to have to get the clutch replaced.

This is one area where your driving style and habits can indeed have a considerable effect on the components. By driving with mechanical empathy, not riding the clutch (leaving your foot resting on the pedal), not deliberately slipping the clutch to hold the vehicle on an incline and not using too high engine revs to pull away from a standstill are all ways to extend the life of the friction material.

Driving with a worn clutch is not advisable as it can leave you stranded if it fails completely, may lead to dangerous situations on the road and lead further damage to your clutch and gearbox. If you suspect there is any issue with your clutch or there are concerns about its age or condition, book with a professional mechanic with immediate effect to check the issue and if required replace the clutch.

You can find out whether you need a new clutch by getting a professional diagnosis from a mechanic. If you're unsure whether it needs replacing book an inspection with a mechanic to check the component and get advice on whether a replacement is needed.

The average life of a clutch will depend on a number of factors including how you use your clutch and the quality of the part. Generally you can expect the clutch to last around 60,000 miles.

Prices for a clutch cable replacement range from £70 to £130 with an average cost of £95. Ultimately, the cost of a clutch cable replacement depends on your car and what parts your car's manufacturer recommends using for the replacement.

No, a worn clutch will normally not lead to an MOT failure. As the MOT only checks for safety-critical components on a car, the condition of the transmission and clutch is not part of the MOT checks.

A clutch will usually last around 60,000 miles. This does depend on a number of factors, primarily your driving style, what kind of traffic you mostly drive in and the quality off the clutch part fitted.

A bad or failing clutch can sound like a grinding noise, a high-pitched squeal, or a low growling sound when pressing on the clutch pedal.

If the clutch fails while driving, you may struggle with changing gears or in some cases even fail to engage or change gears at all.

If you notice a problem with the clutch, the best thing to do is pull over as soon as it is safe to do so and seek professional help and do not attempt to drive again.

Yes, it is possible for a clutch to fail suddenly, however, more often than not, clutch failure is a slow and gradual failure.

Sudden clutch failure can be caused by loss of hydraulic pressure, a broken clutch cable, or a failed clutch release bearing.

The most common cause for a clutch "burning out" is improper use. For example, if a driver constantly rides the clutch (keeps their foot on the pedal), it will eventually overheat and fail. Other causes can include a leak in the hydraulic system, a worn pressure plate, or a defective throw-out bearing.

Burning of the clutch results in a foul smell that is caused by the clutch disc rubbing against the flywheel.

If you attempt to change gears without using the clutch, the gear teeth will grind together and damage the gearbox. Doing this repeatedly can end up damaging or even destroy the transmission.

A new clutch requires some time to "break in" similar to new shoes. The smell is considered normal but should disappear after driving a few miles. If the smell continues to persist then it may be incorrectly installed so it's better to consult a mechanic sooner rather than later.

Clutches can be repaired depending on type of damage, but it is often more expensive to repair a clutch than it is to replace it. Sometimes, you may just need to replace the clutch cable and not the whole part. A qualified mechanic can inspect and offer guidance accordingly.