Starter motor replacement cost

By Fakhri · Last reviewed November 6, 2026

Quick answer

Replacing a starter motor usually costs about $300 to $800 in the US, or about £160 to £500 in the UK, parts and labor included. Where the starter sits matters most: an easy-to-reach starter is a short job, a buried one can take several hours.

Typical cost$300–$800£160–£500≈ €270–€720≈ A$450–A$1,200starter motor replaced at a garage, parts and labor

Price at a glance

What pushes the price up or down

Where the starter sits. A starter at the bottom of the engine can take under an hour. One tucked between engine components can take several hours, and labor is most of the bill.
Your car. In RAC data, a Ford averaged about £317 and a BMW about £394. ClickMechanic's averages range from about £240 for a Ford to about £396 for an Audi.
Stop-start. Cars with automatic stop-start need a heavier-duty, more expensive starter.
New or remanufactured. In the US, a new original starter typically costs $300–$600 for the part, a quality remanufactured one $180–$400.
Where you go. Independent US shops typically charge about $90–$140 an hour, dealers about $140–$200.
Location. UK prices vary by city too: RAC averages ran from about £282 in Cardiff to £375 in Leicester.

How to avoid overpaying

Rule out the battery first. A flat battery or a loose, corroded terminal can cause the same symptoms and is much cheaper to fix (see car clicks but won't start).
Ask for a diagnosis, not a guess. A good garage checks the battery, cables, relay and solenoid before condemning the starter.
Ask about a remanufactured starter with a warranty.
Get two or three quotes for your exact car and engine, since labor time varies so much between models.

Signs your starter motor is failing

A single click when you turn the key or press start, with no cranking.
A grinding noise when starting.
A whirring sound but the engine does not turn.
Starting problems that appear only when the engine is hot.
Smoke or a burning smell from the engine bay: stop trying to start the car and get it checked.

DIY or garage?

Questions drivers ask

Is it the starter or the battery?

Rapid clicking and dim lights usually point to a weak battery or a poor connection. A single solid click with no cranking, a grinding noise, or a whirr without the engine turning point more to the starter. Check or jump-start the battery first: it is the cheaper fix.

Why does my car need a pricier starter?

Cars with automatic stop-start restart the engine many times per trip, so they use heavier-duty starter motors that cost more.

Can a starter motor be repaired instead?

Sometimes a fault is in the wiring, relay or solenoid rather than the motor itself, and that is cheaper to fix. Once the starter motor itself is confirmed faulty, replacing it is usually the practical choice.

How long does the job take?

Often around an hour, but up to about four hours where the starter is buried among other engine parts.

General information only. Every car is different: check your owner's manual, and if anything involves brakes, steering, tires or a burning smell, have a qualified mechanic look at it before you drive on.