Clutch replacement and repair

A clutch replacement will cost you £624.94 on average when you book through FixMyCar. Your quote may vary slightly depending on the make and model of your car and your location.

If you’re wondering why a clutch replacement is so expensive, it generally comes down to three things:

• the cost of parts,

• the cost of repairing any damage to your car caused by your clutch going (usually, the flywheel),

• and the cost of labour.

How often will my car need a clutch replacement?

On average, a clutch needs to be replaced after 30,000-60,000 miles, as this is generally the point at which your friction disc will become worn.

However, your clutch’s duration will depend on your car model and make, with newer and more expensive cars having superior parts with a longer lifespan. In fact, most new cars now have clutches that often last for 75,000 miles or more. You can also extend your clutch’s lifespan by around 20,000 miles by engaging and disengaging it gently when driving.

To replace a clutch, your mechanic will need to remove the transmission, which will usually take between four and six hours. However, it could take a lot longer on cars where the transmission is especially hard to remove. Your mechanic will normally also drain the transmission and replace the fluid.

How does a car clutch work?

The clutch connects your car's engine shafts to its gearbox and wheel shafts. When your foot is on the clutch pedal, it allows you to change gear in a manual car. 

You need a clutch because your engine spins all the time, but your wheels don’t. The clutch disconnects the engine from the gearbox and wheels, meaning you can make a gear change before reconnecting them again.

Automatic cars have a clutch but it’s built-in and the driver has no control over its function. Instead, the system automatically decides what gear you should be in and facilitates the change in response to your driving conditions.

Does my clutch needs repairing or replacing?

If you’re experiencing problems with your clutch, it’ll almost always need replacing as opposed to repairing. This is because the most common cause of clutch issues is the friction disc.

The friction disc is the part that connects your engine to your flywheel. When your clutch is released, the friction disc will press against the flywheel so that your clutch and engine both rotate at the same speed. Then, when you engage your clutch, the friction disc is pulled back. 

As your friction disc keeps coming into contact with moving parts, it will wear down over time and eventually need replacing. At the same time, the pressure plate, pilot bearing and throw-out bearing will usually need replacing too, and most mechanics will also take the opportunity to replace other components that work but are hard to access, as preventative maintenance.

By replacing components sooner rather than later, even if they don’t necessarily need replacing yet, you’ll be able to avoid doubling up on labour costs and bringing your car into the garage more often than necessary.

That said, there may be the rare occasion where a small fault with a localised part of the system can be solved with just a minor repair. For instance, your car might require a gearbox repair or even just a tiny adjustment to the clutch cables. A mechanic will be able to advise you on the level of work your car clutch requires.

What can go wrong with your clutch?

Like any component in your car, over time, the clutch can become worn. There are several common clutch faults that suggest it needs to be replaced to prevent extensive damage to your engine.

A slipping clutch

A slipping clutch is one of the most common clutch problems. It causes a drop in driving performance, but can also cause extensive damage to your engine or gearbox if not repaired in time. The signs of a slipping clutch include:

• Struggling to move forward while moving at a low speed in a high gear

• Difficulty getting up hills in a high gear

• Issues accelerating

• Difficulty towing a trailer

Clutch chatter

Clutch chatter describes when you feel a jerking every time you press down the clutch. It can be caused by one of many different internal issues in your vehicle, including:

• A warped or grooved flywheel - the part that connects the clutch system to the engine

• Missing flywheel dowel pins - these act like nails, securing components into place

• Worn or damaged disc or input shaft splines - which secure components together

• A bent or distorted clutch disc - which connects to the flywheel

• Clutch linings becoming covered in oil grease or getting burned or glazed

• Loose or broken engine or transmission mounts - structures that support your engine

• Misalignment of the chassis and drivetrain components - the framework of your clutch system

• Worn or damaged U-joints/CV joints

• A loose transmission cross member - a structure that supports your engine

• A worn or bent release fork - which helps engage and disengage the clutch

• A loose rear left spring brushing or spring U-bolt nuts

Don’t worry about figuring out which of these is causing the issue yourself. A professional will be able to diagnose the cause of your clutch chatter and perform the appropriate repair.

Clutch noise

Hearing growling or squealing noises when you engage your clutch suggests there is a problem with the component. The same goes if you feel vibrations within the clutch. 

If you hear any new or strange noises coming from your car, visit a garage or find a mobile mechanic as soon as possible to get to the bottom of it and keep your vehicle safe to drive on the roads.

Learn more about clutches

• The ultimate guide to clutch repairs

• How much does it cost to replace a clutch?

• What Happens When Your Clutch Is Replaced?

• How long does a clutch last?

• How to tell if you need a new clutch for your car

• Are clutches covered under warranty?

• How Too Bleed a Car's Clutch

• Why Is My Clutch Pedal Sticking?

• What to Do if Your Clutch is Slipping