Car won't start? What to check

Start with what you hear and see

The way your car behaves when you turn the key or press the start button is the best clue. Before anything else, check the simple things: is the car in park or neutral, is your foot on the clutch or brake if the car needs it, and is the key fob battery working.

Flat battery: the usual suspect

A flat battery is the most common reason a car won't start. Common causes are:

• Lights or a phone charger left on.
• Short journeys. The alternator doesn't get long enough to recharge the battery, especially in winter with heaters, wipers and lights on.
• Cold weather. Batteries lose power in the cold, and engines need more power to turn over. The first frosty morning of the year catches out a lot of drivers.
• Cars left unused. Even parked and locked, modern cars draw a little power for alarms and electronics. A car left for a few weeks can go flat.
• Age. Batteries wear out over time. If yours is several years old and struggling, it may be at the end of its life.

Starter motor problems

If the dash lights are bright but you get a single click or nothing when you try to start, the battery may be fine and the starter motor may be at fault. A jump start won't fix a failed starter. The car will need a garage, and we can recover it there for you.

Fuel and ignition problems

If the engine turns over at normal speed but won't catch, the battery is doing its job. Check you have fuel: a faulty gauge or running lower than you thought is more common than you might think. Beyond that, the problem could be fuel delivery, ignition or an engine management fault. Warning lights on the dash can help a garage diagnose it.

Don't keep cranking the engine for long periods. It drains the battery and can overheat the starter motor. A few short attempts with a pause between them is enough.

When a jump start will work, and when it won't

A jump start works when the battery is flat but healthy enough to recharge, for example after lights were left on. If the car starts and runs normally after a jump, drive it for a decent run, ideally 30 minutes or more on faster roads, to recharge the battery.

A jump start is only a short-term fix if:

• The battery goes flat again the next day.
• The car was jump started recently and has gone flat again.
• The battery is old or has been flat for weeks.
• The engine turns over slowly even with a jump.

In those cases, the battery probably needs replacing, or there's a charging problem. We can supply and fit a new battery on the spot, priced by the battery your car needs and confirmed before fitting. See the jump start and battery cost guide.

Stop-start cars: AGM and EFB batteries

Many newer cars have stop-start, which switches the engine off at traffic lights. These cars need a more robust battery, usually an AGM (absorbent glass mat) or EFB (enhanced flooded battery). Fitting an ordinary battery to a stop-start car can mean poor performance and a short battery life.

Some cars also need the new battery registered with the car's computer so the charging system knows it has been replaced. When you call, tell us the make, model and year so we bring the right type.

Safe jump starting basics

If you are jump starting with another car and leads, take care:

1. Check the leads and both batteries for damage, leaks or a bulging case. Don't jump a damaged battery.
2. Both engines off. Keep the cars close but not touching.
3. Red lead to the positive (+) terminal of the flat battery, then to the positive terminal of the good battery.
4. Black lead to the negative (-) terminal of the good battery, then to a bare metal earth point on the car with the flat battery, away from the battery itself. Many cars have a marked jump-start point; check the handbook.
5. Start the good car and let it run for a few minutes, then try the flat car.
6. Remove the leads in reverse order once it starts.

Never let the clamps touch each other while connected. If you are not confident, or the car has a complex electrical system, it is safer to call us. We use proper jump packs designed for the job.

Cold weather tips

• Turn off lights, heaters, rear demister and wipers before starting.
• Give the battery a rest between attempts.
• If the car has been sitting unused through a cold spell, expect a weak battery.
• If the battery is several years old, consider replacing it before winter rather than waiting for it to fail.

Cars that have been left unused

A car parked for weeks, perhaps while you were away or working from home, often won't start. A jump start may get it going, but the battery may not recover fully if it has been deeply flat. Tyres can also lose pressure over time. Check them before you set off.

When to call us

Call Rapid Recovery on 07598 314366 if:

• You don't have leads or another car.
• You have tried a jump start and it didn't work.
• The battery keeps going flat.
• The car has a stop-start battery that needs replacing.
• You have a flat tyre and need it swapped onto your spare or space saver.
• The car won't start for reasons beyond the battery and needs taking to a garage.

Our jump start service has a £40 minimum charge, and we are open 24/7. In Corby we usually arrive in 30 to 45 minutes. If the car needs a garage, we can recover it on the same visit once you have agreed the price. If the car isn't worth repairing, read how to scrap a car. For anything else, contact us.

Last updated 14 October 2026 by Rapid Recovery Corby.

Helpful guides

• What to do if you break down
• Breaking down on the A14
• How to scrap a car

Questions people ask