Compare Ford Focus car start repair quotes from specialist garages

Ford was the first carmaker to introduce a vehicle assembly line, speeding up the process of production and bringing cars to more people than ever before. The brand's motorsport credentials are equally impressive. In the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans race, Ford ended Ferrari's six-year winning streak, beating the likes of Porsche and Lamborghini to the title with an ever-popular GT40.

Jim Morrison, the lead singer of rock band The Doors, famously adored his 1967 Ford Shelby GT500, the only car he ever owned. It is a mystery to this day where the vehicle ended up after his death.

Find out the average price of a Ford service or MOT here, or read this guide to see how Ford's maintenance costs compare with Vauxhall and Volkswagen.

Cars struggle to start for many reasons, making it hard to diagnose what's wrong. A dead battery is the most common cause; if this is the case, the engine should still turn over but won't get going unless you give it a jump start or use a battery charger. This guide explains how to change a car battery.

Other possible explanations include a faulty starter motor, clogged fuel injectors, a faulty - rather than flat - battery, issues with the alternator, a flooded engine, a jammed ignition lock and engine intake problems.

If a flooded engine is why your car won't start, you might not need to book a repair. Find out how to start a car with a flooded engine here.

Fortunately, the above issues can often be diagnosed and fixed by a mobile mechanic, so towing your car to a garage is unnecessary.