Trustpilot rating for all RAC Mobile Mechanics.

Why choose the RAC for a starter motor repair?

With RAC Mobile Mechanics, you can avoid the hassle of taking your vehicle to a garage. They can do a starter motor repair on your driveway, so you don't even need to leave the house.

Our starter motors are high quality, meeting OEM standards – that means we use we only use parts that meet your vehicle manufacturer’s strict quality criteria. and covered by a 12-month guarantee. No hidden costs, just friendly, honest experts.

Around Brighton - from Hove to Rottingdean, Preston Park and Kemptown - RAC Mobile Mechanics make it easy to get a starter motor repair at home, with simple communication and friendly, expert service.

Close up of an RAC Mobile Mechanic underneath a car

Our top pick in Brighton

We’ll come to you at home or work

RAC Mobile Mechanic in Brighton

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At the RAC, we’ve got over 125 years’ experience in offering complete peace of mind® to our members. We’re best known for our breakdown service. And now – our new RAC Mobile Mechanics are here to help make every day motoring easier. If you need a service or repair, they’ll come to you at your home or work.

Close up of a stop start engine for a starter motor

Book a starter motor repair

A faulty starter motor can leave you stranded, but our mobile mechanics can come to you at home or work to get your car up and running, saving you the hassle of going to a garage.

We use original equipment manufacturer (OEM) standard parts, which means every new part will be the same standard and same quality as the original part it replaced.
Our mobile mechanics are friendly, honest, and backed by the RAC.
Close up of an RAC Mobile Mechanic running a vehicle diagnostic check

Vehicle diagnostic check

£99

We’ll spend up to 30 mins checking your car’s onboard management system for faults. We’ll talk you through repairs needed and provide a full report. If any further work is needed, we’ll agree this with you before we start. Any additional work after the first 30 minutes will be priced at £20 per 15 minutes. We’ll agree this with you before proceeding.

We’ll look for any mechanical or electrical problems. If we need to, we’ll also check your car’s onboard engine management system. Depending on your car and issue, this will usually include: – Engine – Power steering – Brakes – Transmission – Exhaust system – Fuel injection system – Cooling system and air flow – Sensors
If we detect any issues, we'll talk through what needs to be repaired. We’ll give you a no-obligation quote to fix it on the spot, if we can. Or we’ll recommend a local RAC Approved Garage, and give you a full error report to take there.

Average cost of a starter motor repair by car make^

The cost of a starter motor repair will depend on the car you drive. According to RAC data, the average cost of a starter motor repair is £330. But you can check out the average price of a starter motor repair for your specific car make here.

Car make

Average price

Ford

£317

Vauxhall

£329

Volkswagen

£336

BMW

£394

Nissan

£320

Hyundai

£343

Citroen

£355

Peugeot

£325

Volvo

£396

Renault

£341

^Average price quoted for RAC Mobile Mechanics from 01/01/25 to 31/03/25.

And it’s not just starter motor repairs that we do in Brighton

Mobile mechanics bring the garage to you, saving you the hassle of getting your car to a garage. If you need a service or repair, they’ll come to you at your home or work.

A close up of an RAC mobile mechanic looking under the hood of a car

Try one of our RAC Approved Garages

WHEELBASE

5.0/5

Wheelbase are an established local independent garage and are proud to be members of Autofirst Network – a nationwide network of independent garages operating to the Network’s 6 core values of Capability, Consistency, Care, Clarity, Cost Effectiveness and Customer Focus. For your added peace of mind we are members of the Motor Ombudsman service which is approved by The Trading Standards Institute. In short, we are a local garage you can trust offering you the support and service guarantees of a national network, giving you complete peace of mind. We cover Basingstoke and surrounding areas and offer courtesy cars as well as a free collection and delivery service.
24B Victoria Way, Burgess Hill, RH15 9NF

Bayley's vehicle locksmiths ltd

4.9/5

Bayleys Vehicle Locksmiths are an experienced, reliable and skilled local business based in Hove, East Sussex. We cover the whole of Sussex, Surrey and Kent and offer a 24 hour emergency response. VEHICLE LOCKSMITHS – VEHICLE REPAIR – MOT AND SERVICING WE OFFER COMPLETE KEY CUTTING AND CODING FOR MOST VEHICLES, INCLUDING HGVS & LGVS. HAVE YOU LOST YOUR HGV KEY OR NEED A SPARE ONE? WE COVER THE WHOLE OF SUSSEX, SURREY, AND KENT AND OFFER A 24-HOUR EMERGENCY RESPONSE. WE PROVIDE A FULL CODING SERVICE– ECU CODING – BSI UNITS AND CIM UNITS. ALL DONE AT OUR WORKSHOP OR WE CAN COME TO YOU. We offer complete Key cutting and coding for most vehicles, including HGVs & LGVs. Our team of experts can get your car fixed up in no time, so you can get back to your busy schedule. We also offer MOT and servicing services, so if your vehicle is due for its annual check-up, give us a call! Our expert technicians are only a phone call away when you need them!
Unit 1 D, Cambridge Grove, Hove, BN33ED

CENTRAL AUTO REPAIRS LTD

4.4/5

Central Auto Repair Services is a place where we repair cars with the utmost care and attention. While you can go to several other garages for the same work, we give you plenty of reasons for why should you rather visit us. Since its establishment, Central Auto Repair Services has never stopped evolving and upgrading its facilities and services. We want to make sure that we take care of your vehicles in the best possible way, as it is something that you treasure so much. Over the years, word of mouth has been our biggest advertisement method. We have made sure that we provide our customers with nothing less than satisfaction, while they let others know about our standards as well. From a small garage run by a family to being one of the best garages in the city, Central Auto Repair Services has a story of its own. While the first technicians were none other than the family members, we now take pride in our extended family of experts. Over time, we have trained our technicians extensively to make sure that they deliver nothing less than quality services. We also make sure to help them gain confidence and fluency with their work, which is helpful when someone asks for advice related to their cars. They are now some of the best technicians in the city which is all thanks to their years of hard work and dedication. While our experts have contributed so much time in making themselves better and more efficient, we considered it our duty to help them as well. We make sure that the latest pieces of equipment are available at Central Auto Repair Services. This helps them enhance their work quality even more while being able to satisfy our customers with more efficiency. Our customers have never had to complain about an issue that wasn’t dealt with properly, and neither about some issue which could be the result of our carelessness. We know that your time is precious, and so are you for us. We offer a wide range of best in class services for your car. We can efficiently deal with all the parts of your car like brakes, clutches, cambelts, wheel balancing and alignment, diagnostics, etc. We make sure that all of these services are dealt with the greatest care and no scope of error is left. As part of our efficient servicing system, all the cars undergo a complete check-up to ensure that the work done is proper and effective. Central Auto Repair Services are not only known for their diagnostic services, but also for providing our customers with quality products. In case you are looking for a new set of tyres for your car, you can get some of the best ones from us. We have a wide range of latest tyres from top manufacturers like Bridgestone, Continental, Dunlop, Michelin, and Yokohama. We have a collection of all the types of tyres that they manufacture. From budget tyres to performance tyres, Central Auto Repair Services is a hub for all types of tyres. We work for your satisfaction and to gain your trust through our work. We promise to deliver nothing but top-notch quality services to our customers and never let them be in trouble due to our ignorance. Being a family-led business, we know what safety of your loved ones means and we make sure to never compromise it. Visit us at Central Auto Repair Services and you’ll never have to give it a second thought to visit us again. We believe that the only hard work that you should do is pay the bills, the rest is our stuff to take care of, and we do that damn well.
Central Auto Repair Services, Bridge Road Garage, Worthing, BN147BU

Ron Young Motors Ltd

3.8/5

Established in 1981, Ron Young Motors Ltd is a long running independent garage located in Peacehaven. Comprised of a tight-knit group of 6 passionate mechanics, with 130 years’ worth of experience racked up, we are ready to tackle any issue you bring to us. We offer a flexible service, with warranties offered on labour and parts. In addition to this we can provide collection and delivery for your vehicle (up to 3 miles), or a courtesy car if that is necessary. If you have an issue with your vehicle, please don't hesitate to give us a call, we're always happy to help.
Units E4 And E5 Hoyle Rd, Peacehaven, BN108LW

Newhaven Auto Centre Ltd

3.0/5

If you’re looking for a trustworthy Automobile Repair Shop, look no further than Newhaven Auto Centre. We’ve been servicing the Newhaven area since 2015 and pride ourselves on our transparency, professionalism and attention to detail. Newhaven Auto Centre treats each client with attentiveness and care, providing comprehensive service for you and your car. We save you valuable time and money by running a thorough examination to locate the source of the problem. It's our responsibility to update and advise you on the process beforehand and to make sure that the work we do meets your standards and needs
Unit 3, Robinson Road, Newhaven, BN99BL

Frequently asked questions about about starter motor repairs

If your starter motor isn’t working you may hear a clicking noise when you turn the key, the engine may not crank, you’ll have intermittent starting issues,and could hear grinding noises. Smoke coming from under the bonnet or a burning smell can also be signs of a bad starter motor.

Jumpstarting your car probably won’t help. It’s best to diagnose the problem and repair or replace the starter motor as needed.

Starter motors can become faulty due to wear and tear, electrical issues, mechanical failures, and environmental factors. Regular upkeep can help prevent these problems.

Starter motors last between 100,000 to 150,000 miles. However, this can change based on usage, maintenance, and the quality of the starter motor.

The starter motor is typically found near the bottom of the engine, where it engages with the engine’s flywheel. The exact location can vary depending on the vehicle’s make and model.

The time needed to repair a starter motor can vary. Minor repairs might take 1-2 hours, while a complete replacement could take 2-4 hours, depending on the car’s make and model and the skill of the mechanic.

In many cases, starter motors can be repaired, especially if the issues are minor. However, if the motor itself is damaged or worn out, you might need to replace it.

Driving with a faulty starter motor is not recommended as you could be left stranded if the car fails to start. It’s best to address starter motor issues straight away to avoid trouble and potential breakdowns.

To extend the life of your starter motor, keep up with regular up-keep, keep electrical connections clean and tight, avoid frequent short trips, and sort any starting issues as soon as you notice them.

Yes, you can perform basic tests at home. A visual inspection and battery voltage check using a multimetre are easily done without professional training. However, more detailed tests, like the current draw test, are best performed by a mechanic.

Yes, a faulty starter motor can strain the battery and alternator. Repeated attempts to start the car with a bad starter motor can overwork them, potentially leading to additional issues.

If the starter motor fails while you are away from home, you can contact a mobile mechanic or roadside assistance service. They can help diagnose the issue and perform temporary repairs or arrange towing if necessary.

Yes, a faulty starter motor can drain your car battery. This can make the car difficult to start and shorten the battery’s lifespan.

If the car starts but the starter motor makes a strange noise, such as grinding or whining, it could indicate a misalignment or wear in the starter gear. Have it inspected and repaired to avoid further damage.