How Much Does It Cost to Repair a Starter Motor?
Ellie Dyer-Brown, 4 months ago
5 min read
- Cost
FixMyCar reveals how much it costs on average to repair a starter motor.
The starter motor starts the engine when you turn the key in the ignition, so you'll know pretty quickly when it fails. Unfortunately, repairs can be expensive, which is why it's a good idea to understand roughly how much it should cost before taking your car to a garage.
In this guide, we'll tell you everything you need to know.
Contents
Average starter motor repair price
How long does a starter motor last?
Signs of starter motor problems
Average starter motor repair price
The average price of a starter motor repair on FixMyCar is £384.45. It's important to remember that the cost can vary significantly depending on where you live, what car you drive, and which garage you choose. We recommend shopping around to find the best deal.
The table below shows how prices vary between manufacturers.
| Car make | Average price |
|---|---|
| Audi | £503.37 |
| BMW | £416.24 |
| Citroen | £362.28 |
| Ford | £333.04 |
| Mercedes | £449.71 |
| MINI | £444.90 |
| Nissan | £368.98 |
| Peugeot | £386.90 |
| Renault | £404.08 |
| Toyota | £344.10 |
| Vauxhall | £398.16 |
| Volkswagen | £382.73 |
What is a starter motor?
The starter motor turns the engine over during ignition by providing lots of torque, creating the airflow needed for fuel combustion.
When you turn the key in the ignition, power is sent to the ignition system to fire up the spark plugs and to a larger magnetic switch (solenoid), which sends power from the battery to the starter.
When the electromagnet is engaged, the solenoid connects the windings in the starter to the thick battery cable to turn the electric motor. It also pushes a rod to engage a fork that pushes a pinion gear to engage the flywheel.
You can usually find the starter motor on the driver's side of the engine beneath the left bank of cylinders.
How long does a starter motor last?
A starter motor will typically last around five years or 50,000 miles. Like any component, its lifespan depends on how well you maintain your car and how much wear and tear it experiences.
How to extend the life of your starter
You'll be pleased to know there are ways you can make your starter motor last longer. Follow the tips below:
Repair any damaged or worn parts as soon as possible
Regularly check and maintain your car's battery
Turn off unnecessary lights and electronic components to avoid overloading the starter when you turn the car on
Park somewhere sheltered to protect your vehicle from extreme weather
Signs of starter motor problems
The most common sign of a broken starter motor is a car that won't start and makes a clicking sound when you try to turn the engine on. Other symptoms include:
A burning smell under the bonnet
Dashboard lights work, but there's no engine power
Your engine won't work even after a jump start
Smoke from under the bonnet
What causes starter motor problems?
Starters often fail due to old age and the wear and tear that comes along with it. Here's a list of the things that could be to blame:
Corroded connections
Loose wiring
Oil leaks
Bad relay
Worn-out parts
Getting your starter motor repaired
In this section, we'll take you through the process of getting your starter fixed.
How long does it take to repair a starter motor?
Replacing a starter motor will typically take around two hours, so you can expect a repair to take a little longer than that depending on the amount of work required to get the part working correctly again.
How is a starter motor repaired?
The battery, engine cover, alternator and other parts are removed to access the starter motor. After this, the mechanic will remove the starter and assess whether it can be repaired; if not, it will be replaced. Finally, the parts that were removed for access are replaced, and the starter motor is tested to ensure it has been correctly installed.
Want to compare prices for a starter motor replacement? FixMyCar is here to help. Enter your registration number and we'll find you a range of quotes from garages in your area.
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Written by Ellie
Ellie is FixMyCar's Content Writer. She has over three years of experience writing about cars and regularly collaborates with automotive experts to provide trustworthy advice for drivers that is easy understand. Her work has been featured in Yahoo! Finance, iNews, The Daily Express and The Sun. She has a BA in English literature and an MA in creative writing from Durham University. Outside of work, Ellie follows F1 and eagerly awaits Ferrari's next era of dominance in the sport. She drives a Suzuki Swift.