Starter motors rebuilt
Reconditioned and new starter motors, tested on our bench before they are fitted.
- Fault finding
- Reconditioning
- New starters
What we do
When you turn the key and hear a click, a whirr or nothing at all, the starter motor is one of the first things we check. Curd Brothers have been rebuilding starter motors since the 1960s, and we still recondition them in house rather than simply swapping in a new unit.
Reconditioning is often the better choice for older and classic vehicles where new parts are scarce, and it keeps a perfectly good casing out of the bin. Where a new starter makes more sense, we supply and fit that instead and tell you why.
Fault finding
We confirm it really is the starter, not the battery, the cables or the ignition switch, before anything is replaced.
Reconditioning
Brushes, bushes, solenoid contacts and drive gear renewed, then the unit is tested under load.
New starters
New units supplied and fitted when a rebuild is not the right answer.
Classic starters
Pre engaged and inertia starters for classic cars, rebuilt to keep the original part on the car.
Commercial and plant
Heavy duty starters for vans, lorries, tractors and plant machinery.
Marine
Starters for inboard and outboard engines, rebuilt and sealed for a damp life.
Signs to look out for
- A single click when you turn the key
- A whirring or grinding noise without the engine turning
- The engine starts some days and not others
- Smoke or a burning smell after a long crank
- The starter keeps running after the engine has started
Why Curd
Brothers
- Rebuilt in houseProper reconditioning on our own bench, not just parts swapping.
- Tested before fittingEvery starter is tested before it goes back on the vehicle.
- Any age of vehicleFrom a 1960s classic to a modern van.
Free battery fitting
Buy your battery from us and we fit it free. Battery health checks are always free, so ask while your car is in.
Questions we get asked
Is it better to recondition or replace a starter motor?
It depends on the vehicle. For many older and classic vehicles reconditioning the original is the best option. For some modern cars a new unit is more economical. We will give you both options and a clear recommendation.
How do I know it is the starter and not the battery?
A weak battery and a failing starter can feel the same from the driver's seat. We test both, together with the cables and connections, so you only pay for what is actually wrong.
How long does a starter motor repair take?
Many starters can be removed, reconditioned and refitted within a day or two. One customer had a Ford Mondeo starter replaced within 48 hours of calling us.
Can you rebuild a starter I bring in on its own?
Yes. Bring the unit to the workshop and we will test it and quote for reconditioning.
Do you work on marine and tractor starters?
Yes. We rebuild starters for boats, tractors and plant as well as cars and vans.
Main services
All services
BatteriesCars, vans, lorries, motorcycles, marine and agricultural.Click to view
AlternatorsReconditioned and new, with a full charging system test.Click to view
MOT and ServicingCars and light commercial vehicles, all makes and models.Click to view
Air ConditioningRe gas and service.Click to view
Classic Cars and PartsVintage wiring, dynamos, starters and electrical parts.Click to view
Wheels and AlignmentWheels balanced and tracking set to protect your tyres.Click to view
Curd Brothers, Unit 28, Colebrook Industrial Estate, Longfield Road, Tunbridge Wells TN2 3DG.