Starter Motor repair & replacement made easy

A starter motor is a heavy duty electric motor that has enough torque to turn the engine in order for it to start, it is powered by the car's battery. The basic concept is that when an electrical current is passed through coiled wires of the armature it reacts against the magnetic plates on the housing and spins it around.

Depending on the vehicle and the circumstances, the mechanic will carry out some or all the following

• Mechanic will inspect the starter motor terminals and electrics of the ignition system.
• Mechanic will subject the starter motor to voltage test.
• If necessary, the mechanic will replace the starter motor.
• Mechanic will advise if any other parts need to be replaced.
• Mechanic will start the engine to establish whether the starter motor works correctly.

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

• When you turn the key or press the button to start the engine, nothing happens!
• When you do try to start it, knowing the battery is good, you may hear a single click from the starter motor, which is the solenoid firing, but there is no rotation.
• Providing the battery is in known to be in good condition, it is the next obvious point of a vehicle failing to turn over.
• Please do note though, if you hear a rapid clicking, that is more likely to be the battery not having enough power to actually turn the motor, but enough to keep firing the solenoid, in which case it's the battery that is faulty or discharged.
• When the battery is known to be in good condition but the engine is very laborious when turning over.

On average a starter motor replacement will usually take around 1 hours, but can take anywhere from under 1 to 2.5 hours. The time that the job takes will depend on a range of factors. For example, 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.

It is likely a vehicle will need a new starter motor at least once in its lifetime. Of course if it fails it needs replacing, otherwise you will be push starting the vehicle each time you want to use it.

If you notice that the engine is struggling to turn over though and you know the battery is in good condition and charge, then sooner rather than later is better to replace the tired old starter motor before it leaves you stranded.

There are a number of symptoms that will tell you whether the starter motor is broken. The most obvious one being when you turn the key or press the button to start the engine and nothing happens.

If you suspect there is any issue with your starter motor or if there are concerns about its age or condition, book an inspection with a professional mechanic immediate effect. The starter motor may still start the car but if its malfunctioning or only intermittently works there is of course a real risk it will leave you stranded on a journey at some point. It's best to get it checked and let a mechanic verify the problem as soon as possible.

The starter motor in itself would not mean an MOT failure. However, an MOT tester will need to run the engine for an emissions test so if the vehicle cannot be started this may in turn lead to an MOT failure.

The average cost to replace a starter is around £225. The exact price will depend on your vehicle and the type of starter fitted. An exact price for your vehicle can be found by entering your postcode and car registration number at the top of the page, and selecting the starter motor repair.

Yes, starter motors can be repaired or rebuild, but it is often more cost-effective and quicker to fit a new unit if the old one is broken. Of course, if a new alternative is no longer available the only option will be to get a specialist repair the broken starter motor unit.

The method to use to start a car with a bad starter motor will depend on the starter motor's issue. Often the starting issue will be due to a bad or weak battery. In those cases jump starting can help temporarily to get adequate current to the starter motor to help start the vehicle. Push starting could be another option if you have a manual. If the starting issue is due to the starter itself, it will be more tricky to get the car started. In those instances, or if you don't know what the issue is, it is advisable to get help from a professional mechanic to track down the issue and help you start the car.

The starter motor is located in the engine bay of the car, and usually mounted to the engine block, near the flywheel.

Jump starting a car with a bad starter will likely not work even if the battery has enough charge. This is because the starter motor's function is to crank the car's engine to start its combustion cycle.