Car won't start, just clicks

Likely causes

1. Weak or dying battery60%

   A battery over 5 years old that rests below 12.4 V is very likely the culprit.

   Garage price: Car battery £115 – £245Fix it: Replace your car battery
2. Worn starter motor30%

   A single click on starting with a healthy battery points to the starter or its solenoid.

   Garage price: Starter motor £200 – £555
3. Alternator not charging10%

   With the engine running, battery voltage should read 13.8 to 14.7 V. Below that, the alternator is not charging.

   Garage price: Alternator £255 – £640

What you can check yourself

1. Switch the headlights on and try to start: if they dim heavily, the battery is flat.
2. Measure the battery with a multimeter: below 12.2 V at rest, it is discharged.
3. Check the terminals are neither loose nor covered in white sulphate.

Fault codes often linked