Clutch replacement and repair

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Clutch replacement

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£154.36

Average saving for a clutch replacement or repair

How much is a new clutch replacement?

On average, a clutch replacement will cost you £624.94 when booked through WhoCanFixMyCar. Your quote may vary slightly depending on the make and model of your as well as 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.

Car MakeAverage Price
Audi£792.51
BMW£546.98
Citroen£647.81
Ford£588.90
Mercedes£928.41
MINI£646.03
Nissan£576.47
Peugeot£617.52
Renault£742.93
Toyota£590.78
Vauxhall£671.41
Volkswagen£630.98
Volvo£747.36

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.

  • Clutch replacement

    The average cost of a clutch repair booked on WhoCanFixMyCar is £454.

    If a clutch is slipping or making an unusual noise, it needs to be replaced to avoid further damage to the engine.

    Can include
    • Diagnosis
    • Replacement clutch
    • May include flywheel replacement
  • Gearbox repair

    The average cost of a gearbox repair booked on WhoCanFixMyCar is £381.75. A gearbox is used to change the speed of a car and is a common repair because gears may fail prematurely. It's essential to get a gearbox issue diagnosed as soon as possible.

    Can include
    • Diagnosis
    • Gearbox repair
    • Gearbox replacement
  • Diagnostic test

    The average cost of a car diagnostic test booked on WhoCanFixMyCar is £51.66.

    A car diagnostic test is a digital analysis of your car, undertaken by a specialist mechanic, to assess potential faults and issues with your car engine, transmission, brakes and many more.

    Can include
    • Diagnostic test

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

What are the symptoms of clutch wear?

If your clutch is worn, you may notice a high biting point which makes it difficult to change gears without stalling, a juddering or vibrating when the pedal goes up, or rising engine revs even when driving on flat roads at a consistent speed.

Can a clutch be repaired?

For minor or localised issues, your clutch may be repaired with minor adjustments. However, if the clutch plate is worn, then it will need to be replaced.

How long does it take to change a clutch?

The average clutch replacement will take between 2 and 7 hours, depending on the car you have and whether there is any other damage caused by the worn clutch that needs to be fixed. Read our guide on what actually happens when your clutch is replaced.

How long does a clutch last?

On average, your clutch will need to be replaced after around seven years. However, sometimes a clutch will need to be replaced after just 30,000 miles if your driving technique is poor. For example, ‘riding the clutch’ and sitting in neutral when stopped should both be avoided.

What is a dual mass flywheel?

A flywheel is a part of the clutch. A 'dual mass flywheel' or 'DMF' has its flywheel in two parts, designed to reduce diesel engine vibrations when changing gear. 

How much does a clutch replacement cost?

Your clutch replacement cost will depend on the nature of the repair and the type of vehicle you have. On average a clutch replacement costs £624.94.

Do automatic cars have a clutch?

Automatic cars have a built-in clutch that the driver can’t control. The component decides what gear you should be driving in, depending on the conditions.

What is clutch slipping?

Clutch slipping happens when too much heat is generated between the two shafts and stops them from gripping together. Clutch slipping means the clutch needs to be replaced.

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