Nothing at all
No sound and no dashboard lights.
Usually
A flat or failed battery, or a loose or corroded battery terminal.
Send this to usCar won't startBatteries, starters and alternators, fixed where the car is
A flat battery, a starter motor that has failed or an alternator that has stopped charging. We test the car where it stands and repair it on the spot where the job allows.
Find the cause
What happens when you turn the key?
What the car does tells a mechanic where to start. Pick the one that matches and send it to us.
A click, or rapid clicking
The dashboard lights come on, but the engine does not turn.
Usually
A battery too weak to turn the engine, or a fault in the starter motor or its solenoid.
Send this to usIt turns but won’t start
The engine cranks over but never fires.
Usually
The battery and starter are working. The fault is more likely fuel, ignition or a sensor, and a diagnostic check finds it.
Send this to usBattery light on the move
Or a battery that keeps going flat.
Usually
The alternator or its drive belt has stopped charging the battery.
Send this to us
What we fix
Tested first, then fixed
Batteries
We test the battery and the charging system first, so a new battery is only fitted when the old one has failed. Batteries are supplied and fitted where the car is.
Starter motors
A starter motor that clicks, grinds or does nothing is tested on the car, then repaired or replaced on site where the job allows.
Alternators
If the battery light comes on or the battery keeps going flat, we test the alternator and its drive belt and replace what has failed.
Breakdowns
If the car stops at home, at work or on the road, we come to it. If a repair needs a garage, you hear that before any work starts.
Good to know
Questions
Will a jump-start fix it?
A jump-start gets the engine going, but if the battery is worn out or the alternator isn't charging, the car won't start next time either. We test both, so you know which part has failed.
How long does a car battery last?
Usually four to six years. Short journeys, cold weather and a car left unused for weeks all shorten a battery's life.
Why do batteries fail in winter?
Cold slows the chemical reaction inside a battery, so it gives less power just when a cold engine needs more to start. A weak battery often gives up on the first frosty morning.
Can you come to my workplace?
Yes. We can repair the car in your workplace car park while you work.