How much should I pay someone to change my starter?
The cost to have someone replace your car's starter can vary widely, but on average, you can expect to pay between $150 to $350 for the labor and parts. The exact price will depend on factors like the make and model of your vehicle, the mechanic's labor rates, and the cost of the replacement starter.
Understanding the Starter Replacement Process
The starter is a critical component in your car's electrical system, responsible for providing the initial burst of power to start the engine. When a starter fails, it needs to be replaced to get your vehicle running again. Replacing a starter typically involves the following steps:
- Locating and accessing the starter, which may require removing other components to reach it
- Disconnecting the electrical connections and mounting bolts to remove the old starter
- Installing the new starter and reconnecting the electrical connections and mounting bolts
- Testing the new starter to ensure it's functioning properly
The labor involved in this process can vary depending on the accessibility of the starter in your particular vehicle model.
Factors That Affect the Cost
Several factors can influence the overall cost of a starter replacement, including:
- Vehicle make and model: Starter costs can range from $50 to $300 or more, depending on the specific vehicle. Luxury and high-performance cars tend to have more expensive starters.
- Labor rates: Mechanic labor rates can vary widely, from $50 to $150 per hour or more, depending on the shop's location and expertise.
- Accessibility of the starter: If the starter is difficult to access, the labor time and cost will be higher.
- Additional parts needed: In some cases, additional components like wiring, connectors, or mounting hardware may need to be replaced, adding to the overall cost.
To get an accurate estimate for your specific vehicle, it's best to consult with a reputable mechanic or auto parts store in your area.
How much should I pay for a starter?
A starter can cost anywhere from $150 to over $1,100 for a professional replacement, with the part alone costing between $80 and $350 or more. The final price depends heavily on the vehicle's make and model, the ease of access to the starter, and the choice between new or remanufactured parts. For DIY replacement, the cost is limited to the price of the starter part itself, which can be from $50 to over $350 for the part alone.
Cost breakdown
- Parts: A new or rebuilt starter motor itself can range from $50 to over $350.
- Economy/Aftermarket: ~$75 – $200
- OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer): ~$150 – $400
- High-performance/Specialty: $300 – $1000+
- Labor: Professional labor costs vary based on how difficult the replacement is for your specific vehicle.
- Basic replacement: ~$100 – $250
- Complex installation: ~$300 – $600+
- Total professional replacement: A complete job can range from $150 to over $1,100.
Factors that influence the cost
- Vehicle Make and Model: Some vehicles have more complex designs, requiring more labor time and potentially more expensive parts.
- Part Quality: Choosing a remanufactured starter will be less expensive than a brand new OEM one.
- Labor rates: Shop and location-specific labor rates can significantly impact the final price.
- Additional repairs: Issues with other components, such as corroded cables or a bad ignition switch, could add to the total cost.
How much should a starter replacement cost?
On average, the full cost to replace a bad car starter ranges between $700 and $1,200, depending on factors such as your make and model and the number of labor hours needed to do the job. You might have noticed suspicious sounds when you start up your engine.
How much should it cost to change a starter motor?
around $400 to $600
However, due to possible electrical issues, manufacturer defects, excessive wear, and grinding the starter accidentally, you may require starter motor replacement at some point. The average cost of a starter motor replacement is around $400 to $600, although speciality and luxury models may be significantly more.
Can I drive with a bad starter?
No, you should not drive with a bad starter because it can fail completely, leaving you stranded. While the engine will run fine once it's started, a bad starter means the car may not start again, and continuing to try can cause further damage to the engine and other components.
This video explains how a bad starter can damage your car's flywheel and transmission: 1mDespair RepairYouTube · Sep 7, 2025
Risks of driving with a bad starter
- You could get stranded: If the starter fails completely, the engine won't crank, and you won't be able to restart your car after it's turned off.
- Further damage: Repeatedly trying to start the car with a faulty starter can strain other parts of the engine, potentially leading to more expensive repairs.
- Battery drain: A failing starter or solenoid can also drain your battery, which could lead to a no-start situation even if the starter itself was the only problem.
- Safety risk: A sudden breakdown in traffic can put you in a dangerous situation.
What to do instead
- Get it towed: The safest option is to have your car towed to a mechanic for a professional diagnosis and repair.
- Drive directly to a shop (if possible): If you can get the car started (perhaps with a jump or a temporary fix), drive directly to a mechanic without making any unnecessary stops.
- Don't ignore the problem: A bad starter is often the first sign of a system that is beginning to fail, and waiting for it to break down completely is a risk.
