Car won’t start
Work out which of three failures you have — no response at all, cranking without catching, or starting then dying — then get the right local help to the car.
What you might be seeing
- Nothing at all when you turn the key — no lights, no clicks
- A rapid clicking but the engine will not turn
- The engine cranks strongly but never fires
- It starts, runs a second, and dies
The likely causes, honestly ranked
- Flat or failing battery, or corroded terminals (the most common by far)
- Starter motor or ignition switch fault
- Fuel delivery or spark: pump, plugs, coils, crank sensor
- Immobiliser or key battery not being recognised
Do this now
- Turn on the headlights: bright lights point away from the battery, dead lights point at it
- Check the key fob battery and try your spare key
- If it is an automatic, try starting in N as well as P
- Describe the exact symptom when you request help — it decides what the mechanic brings
What to avoid
- Cranking over and over until the battery is fully flat
- Buying parts before anyone has diagnosed anything
- Jump-starting modern cars without checking the handbook first — some specify a procedure
Who fixes this
Related problems
Fix problems like this for a living?
Drivers hit this page at the exact moment they need someone like you. Work as a mobile mechanic near them? Escargo sends you local jobs with the symptom, location and vehicle up front — so you quote accurately, plan your route, and spend the day fixing rather than phoning.
On Escargo, local providers get found by nearby drivers, take bookings against their real availability, receive job details up front, keep the customer updated with live status, and get paid — with every job on one record. Escargo lists only real, verified businesses; pages like this one never show invented providers, prices or ratings.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my car click but not start?
A rapid click is usually a battery too weak to spin the starter; a single loud clunk can be the starter itself. Either way it is a measurable fault — a mechanic with a meter finds it in minutes.
Can a mobile mechanic fix a no-start at my house?
Very often yes — batteries, terminals, and diagnosis are exactly driveway work. If it turns out to need a workshop, the same request can bring recovery.
Do I need recovery or a mechanic?
If the car might be fixable where it stands (battery, key, simple sensor), a mobile mechanic saves the tow. If it cranks with a nasty noise, leaks, or died on the road, recovery to a garage is the safer money.
How much does a callout for a no-start cost?
It depends on distance and what the fix turns out to be — a jump-and-test is quick, a starter replacement is not. Describe the symptom and get a real local quote.
Written and reviewed by the Escargo team · Updated 9 August 2026 · Escargo shows real local businesses only — where none is listed yet, the page says so honestly.