Car Parts Guide
ALTERNATOR ALL MAKES

Alternator: Guides by Make & Model

Output rating varies by engine and trim — find your specific model below.

Easily Mistaken for a Dead Battery

Dim lights and slow starts point to two different possible culprits, and replacing the wrong one means paying twice. Pick your make and model below for the specifics on telling them apart.

What It Actually Does, and Why Its Failure Looks Like a Battery Problem

An alternator is essentially a small generator, belt-driven off the engine's crankshaft, that converts mechanical rotation into electrical current. Inside, a spinning rotor passes magnets close to a set of stationary windings called the stator, generating alternating current that's then converted to the DC power your battery and electronics actually use. Every voltage-hungry system in a modern car — lights, infotainment, power steering assistance, the fuel pump, the cooling fan — draws from this supply while the engine runs, with the alternator simultaneously keeping the battery topped up. This is exactly why a failing alternator so often gets mistaken for a battery problem: once the alternator stops charging properly, the car is effectively running on whatever charge is left in the battery, and every symptom looks battery-related right up until the battery itself is fully drained.

A Two-Minute Test That Tells You Which Part Actually Failed

Before buying either part, it's worth spending two minutes confirming which one is actually at fault, since replacing the wrong part is a genuinely common and avoidable expense. With the engine off, a multimeter across the battery terminals should read around 12.6 volts if the battery itself is healthy — significantly lower suggests a weak or discharged battery rather than a charging fault. Start the engine and take the same reading again: a properly functioning alternator should push this to roughly 14 volts. If it stays close to 12 volts, or drops further with the headlights and other accessories switched on, the alternator isn't charging the system properly and is the more likely culprit.

New, Remanufactured, Rebuilt, or Repaired — They're Not the Same Thing

Shopping for a replacement, you'll typically see four distinct categories, and the terms aren't interchangeable even though they're sometimes used as if they were. A new alternator is built entirely from unused components and typically lasts seven to ten years, carrying the highest upfront cost but the lowest risk. A remanufactured unit has been fully disassembled, cleaned, tested, and had its known wear items — bearings, brushes, the voltage regulator — replaced with new parts, following standardised procedures; reputable remanufacturers offer warranties comparable to new units. A rebuilt alternator has also been disassembled and had some parts replaced, but without remanufacturing's stricter guidelines — quality here depends heavily on the individual technician or facility doing the work, and a longer warranty is generally the best signal of a facility's own confidence in what they're selling. A repaired alternator has had only the specific failed component swapped out, which can be the cheapest fix but is also often no more than a temporary one if other parts are close to failing too.

Getting the Amperage Right Matters More Than Brand

Alternators are rated by maximum amperage output, and this varies enormously by vehicle — a small hatchback might need 100 amps or less, while a large SUV, or one fitted with a factory tow pack, can call for 150–220 amps or more. The rule that matters most: you can generally fit a higher-amperage alternator than the original without issue, and doing so is a sensible precaution if you've added power-hungry accessories like auxiliary lighting or a serious audio system, since those genuinely accelerate premature alternator wear on the original unit. Fitting a lower amperage than specified is a mistake — the alternator simply won't keep up with the car's electrical demand, particularly at idle when alternator output naturally drops. Confirm your original amperage rating from your handbook, a build-sheet code, or the old unit itself before ordering, since physical connector types, mounting-bolt spacing, and pulley width all need to match too, regardless of amperage.

Reputable Brands Worth Knowing

Bosch, Denso, and ACDelco are widely regarded as producing reliable new and remanufactured units across most mainstream makes, generally considered on par with original equipment. Remy and WAI Global offer a solid middle ground on price versus quality for new units. Budget remanufactured store-brand alternators can be a reasonable choice if backed by a genuinely strong warranty, but owner reports on forums do show more inconsistent reliability at this end of the market than with the premium brands above — worth factoring the warranty terms into your decision as much as the upfront price.

Warning Signs and DIY Difficulty

A dashboard battery warning light, dimming or flickering headlights (especially at idle), a whining or grinding noise from the engine bay, or a battery that keeps going flat even after replacement are all worth acting on — use the two-minute voltage test above to confirm the alternator rather than the battery is actually at fault before buying either part.

Replacement is a moderate DIY job on most cars, though access varies significantly by engine layout — some alternators require removing other components to reach, which can extend the job considerably. Budget 1-3 hours for an experienced home mechanic depending on access, or around an hour of labour at a garage with the right tools and lift.

Audi A1 Alternator Guide Audi A3 Alternator Guide Audi A4 (B8/B9) Alternator Guide Audi A5 Coupe Alternator Guide Audi A6 Alternator Guide Audi Q2 Alternator Guide Audi Q3 Alternator Guide Audi Q5 Alternator Guide BMW 1 Series Alternator Guide BMW 2 Series Alternator Guide BMW 3 Series Alternator Guide BMW 4 Series Alternator Guide BMW 5 Series Alternator Guide BMW X1 Alternator Guide BMW X3 Alternator Guide BMW X5 Alternator Guide Citroen Berlingo Alternator Guide Citroen C1 Alternator Guide Citroen C3 Alternator Guide Citroen C4 Alternator Guide Citroen C4 Cactus Alternator Guide Citroen C4 Picasso Alternator Guide Citroen C5 Aircross Alternator Guide Dacia Duster (Mk1/Mk2) Alternator Guide Dacia Jogger Alternator Guide Dacia Logan MCV Alternator Guide Dacia Sandero Alternator Guide Fiat 500 (Petrol) Alternator Guide Fiat 500L Alternator Guide Fiat 500X Alternator Guide Fiat Panda Alternator Guide Fiat Tipo Alternator Guide Ford B-Max Alternator Guide Ford C-Max Alternator Guide Ford EcoSport Alternator Guide Ford Fiesta Alternator Guide Ford Focus Mk3 Alternator Guide Ford Galaxy Alternator Guide Ford Ka+ Alternator Guide Ford Kuga Alternator Guide Ford Mondeo Alternator Guide Ford Puma Alternator Guide Ford S-Max Alternator Guide Honda CR-V Alternator Guide Honda Civic Alternator Guide Honda HR-V Alternator Guide Honda Jazz Alternator Guide Hyundai Kona Alternator Guide Hyundai Santa Fe Alternator Guide Hyundai Tucson Alternator Guide Hyundai i10 Alternator Guide Hyundai i20 Alternator Guide Hyundai i30 Alternator Guide Hyundai ix35 Alternator Guide Jaguar E-Pace Alternator Guide Jaguar F-Pace Alternator Guide Jaguar XE Alternator Guide Jaguar XF Alternator Guide Kia Ceed Alternator Guide Kia Niro Alternator Guide Kia Picanto Alternator Guide Kia Rio Alternator Guide Kia Sorento Alternator Guide Kia Soul Alternator Guide Kia Sportage Alternator Guide Kia Venga Alternator Guide Land Rover Defender Alternator Guide Land Rover Discovery Alternator Guide Land Rover Discovery Sport Alternator Guide Land Rover Freelander 2 Alternator Guide Lexus CT200h Alternator Guide Lexus IS Alternator Guide Lexus NX Alternator Guide Lexus RX Alternator Guide Mazda 2 Alternator Guide Mazda 3 Alternator Guide Mazda 6 Alternator Guide Mazda CX-3 Alternator Guide Mazda CX-5 Alternator Guide Mercedes-Benz A-Class Alternator Guide Mercedes-Benz C-Class Alternator Guide Mercedes-Benz CLA Alternator Guide Mercedes-Benz E-Class Alternator Guide Mercedes-Benz GLA Alternator Guide Mercedes-Benz GLC Alternator Guide Mini Clubman Alternator Guide Mini Cooper Alternator Guide Mini Countryman Alternator Guide Mitsubishi ASX Alternator Guide Mitsubishi L200 Alternator Guide Mitsubishi Mirage Alternator Guide Mitsubishi Outlander Alternator Guide Nissan Juke Alternator Guide Nissan Micra Alternator Guide Nissan Note Alternator Guide Nissan Pulsar Alternator Guide Nissan Qashqai Alternator Guide Nissan X-Trail Alternator Guide Peugeot 108 Alternator Guide Peugeot 2008 Alternator Guide Peugeot 208 Alternator Guide Peugeot 3008 Alternator Guide Peugeot 308 Alternator Guide Peugeot 508 Alternator Guide Peugeot Partner Alternator Guide Range Rover Evoque Alternator Guide Renault Captur Alternator Guide Renault Clio Alternator Guide Renault Kadjar Alternator Guide Renault Megane Alternator Guide Renault Scenic Alternator Guide Renault Twingo Alternator Guide Renault Zoe Alternator Guide Seat Arona Alternator Guide Seat Ateca Alternator Guide Seat Ibiza Alternator Guide Seat Leon Alternator Guide Skoda Fabia Alternator Guide Skoda Karoq Alternator Guide Skoda Kodiaq Alternator Guide Skoda Octavia Alternator Guide Skoda Rapid Alternator Guide Skoda Superb Alternator Guide Skoda Yeti Alternator Guide Subaru Crosstrek (XV) Alternator Guide Subaru Forester Alternator Guide Subaru Impreza Alternator Guide Subaru Outback Alternator Guide Suzuki Baleno Alternator Guide Suzuki Celerio Alternator Guide Suzuki Ignis Alternator Guide Suzuki SX4 S-Cross Alternator Guide Suzuki Swift Alternator Guide Suzuki Vitara Alternator Guide Toyota Auris Alternator Guide Toyota Avensis Alternator Guide Toyota Aygo Alternator Guide Toyota C-HR Alternator Guide Toyota Corolla Alternator Guide Toyota GT86 Alternator Guide Toyota Prius Alternator Guide Toyota RAV4 Alternator Guide Toyota Verso Alternator Guide Toyota Yaris Alternator Guide Vauxhall Adam Alternator Guide Vauxhall Astra Alternator Guide Vauxhall Corsa Alternator Guide Vauxhall Crossland X Alternator Guide Vauxhall Grandland X Alternator Guide Vauxhall Insignia Alternator Guide Vauxhall Meriva Alternator Guide Vauxhall Mokka Alternator Guide Vauxhall Viva Alternator Guide Vauxhall Zafira Tourer Alternator Guide Volkswagen Caddy Alternator Guide Volkswagen Golf Alternator Guide Volkswagen Passat Alternator Guide Volkswagen Polo Alternator Guide Volkswagen Sharan Alternator Guide Volkswagen T-Roc Alternator Guide Volkswagen Tiguan Alternator Guide Volkswagen Touran Alternator Guide Volkswagen Up! Alternator Guide Volvo S60 Alternator Guide Volvo V40 Alternator Guide Volvo V60 Alternator Guide Volvo XC40 Alternator Guide Volvo XC60 Alternator Guide Volvo XC90 Alternator Guide

Not included: fully electric models (Tesla Model 3, BYD Seal), which don't use a traditional alternator.