Car Not Starting: Common Causes and How to Fix Them

When your car not starting, a common vehicle failure where the engine refuses to turn over or ignite. Also known as crank no start, it’s one of the most frustrating problems drivers face—especially when you’re late or stuck in bad weather. This isn’t usually a mystery. Most of the time, it’s one of four simple issues: the battery, the power source that delivers the initial jolt to start the engine, the starter motor, the component that physically turns the engine over, the fuel system, the network that delivers gasoline to the engine, or the ignition system, the set of parts that creates the spark to ignite fuel. You don’t need a diagnostic tool to figure out which one it is.

If you hear a clicking sound when you turn the key, that’s almost always the battery. It’s not giving enough power to crank the engine. Try jump-starting it. If it starts and dies again after turning off, your alternator might not be charging it. No click at all? The starter motor could be dead. Tap it gently with a wrench while someone turns the key—sometimes that jolts it into working. If the engine turns over but won’t catch, you’ve got a fuel or spark problem. Check if you smell gas. If not, the fuel pump might be dead. If you do smell gas, the issue is likely the spark plugs or ignition coil. Many of the posts below show real cases where worn spark plugs, corroded battery terminals, or clogged fuel filters caused exactly this. You don’t need to replace everything. Just test the most likely culprit first.

Most people panic and head straight to a mechanic. But 70% of these cases are fixable with basic tools and 20 minutes of your time. You can check your battery voltage with a multimeter you probably already own. You can listen for the fuel pump humming when you turn the key to "on." You can inspect spark plug wires for cracks. These aren’t guesses—they’re steps. The posts here give you exact signs to look for, what tools to use, and when to stop and call a pro. Whether you’re dealing with a 10-year-old hatchback or a newer diesel SUV, the same rules apply. No fluff. No jargon. Just what actually works.

Below, you’ll find real-world fixes from UK drivers who’ve been there. From dead batteries in winter to faulty ignition coils in older engines, these guides show you exactly what went wrong and how they fixed it—without overpaying or replacing parts they didn’t need.