How long should a clutch last?

Question

I had a clutch fitted about 20,000 miles ago . I thought that it should last much longer than that.whats the average

Answer 1

How long is a piece of string?



As a VERY rough average over every type of car and driver then somewhere around 80,000 miles isn't far off, but that's an average that'll take in the times people put in a new clutch and then the rear crank seal blows and covers it in oil before it's done 50 miles, and the careful drivers who make one last 200k+ miles. Also some cars wear them out quicker than others. 20k for a clutch in a hard driven Evo isn't bad, but on a regular saloon it's terrible.



If yours needs replaced after 20k miles there's either something wrong with the car, the replacement clutch or how it was fitted, or your driving style.

Answer 2

I don't agree with Mick W about driving schools wearing out clutches more quickly than anyone else. In fact the opposite can be true as pupils are taught to drive 'correctly' and with different driving styles, the wear is spread more evenly, than for example someone who continuously 'rides' the clutch. My driving school cars average between 80,000 - 105,000 miles.



Also the make of car will have a bearing. Some cars get through clutches more than others. The early Nissan Micra used to get through a clutch between 20,000 - 25, 000 miles. The later 'bubble shape' Micras last 80,000+. The MINI also used to get through clutches between 20,000 - 25,000 miles, but I'm not sure if they have improved in the last couple of years.



So it could be down to the make and model of your car, or your driving style or a combination of both.

Answer 3

There are a lot of factors that determine how long a clutch will last. Then are you "Riding" the clutch? That will cause a slight lessening of the plate pressure to burn the clutch disc. Id the pressure plate and disc made in the USA? or did you get a POS from China? I've driven manuals up to 120k miles before replacing the clutch. It could have been mis-adjusted when it was installed (usually cable operated or old linkage system). The newer hydraulic systems are rarely out of adjustment.

Answer 4

I put a new clutch in my wifes Peugeot 406 diesel just before Xmas, the car had done 112000 miles.

The old clutch when inspected was only about 1/2 worn*! (but we live in the country so most of her motoring is on fairly empty roads) and all it really had needed was the clutch hydraulics bled. Duh!



If like us your motoring is on lightly trafficked open roads and you do NOT rest your foot on the clutch, it could last the life of the engine. If all your motoring is in a city with stop/start running all the time and you often sit balancing the clutch then you could indeed wear one out in 20k though that would be partly through you abusing it.

Answer 5

If you drive a lot of freeways at moderate speeds, the clutch discs should last at least 100K miles.

If you drive around town a lot, starting up from cold, stop and go at many stop lights, you will cause the clutch to work much harder than normal. Check occasionally to make sure there is no oil or grease accumulating on the clutch plates. A clutch that "chatters" probably will need a new pressure plate. If you do this kind of work regularly, you might best change the clutch discs, pressure plate and throwout bearing all at one time.

Answer 6

Bought a Golf diesel some years ago (300k kms) from a friend who had it from new - my daughter used it and then we sold it to a friend who made regular European trips (1 a month) I then bought the car back for my younger daughter. When the car was eventually sold it had a minimum of 500k kms and the clutch was the ORIGINAL. I have heard this is quite common on non turbo models.

Answer 7

Micra still running well at 112,000 km on original clutch, daily city use mainly plus a few long holidays!

Answer 8

The average clutch should last 80k plus, but the Later Duel mass flywheels of modern cars ie Peugeot, Ford, Vw are constantly failing.

Answer 9

A clutch well maintained and not abused by the driver should last the lifetime of the vehicle or at least 20 years.

Answer 10

How long is a piece of string, for it depends upon the driver. I have known some cars to last a lifetime whilst others are worn out within 5k miles.

Answer 11

Ocularn is also right. If you have adjustments done on it about every 5000-6000 miles it should last forever. Hey youre phishing. You asked this already in Answers United Kingdom. Report this question!!!

Answer 12

with driving school pupils about a week to ten days, normal wear and tear it can last the life of the vehicle, however if you use the clutch instead of the handbrake on hills, at road junctions, traffic lights and other obstacles it's life will be a lot shorter.

Answer 13

How good are you at driving a clutch? That pretty much determines it's service life. Looks like your not too good at it.

Answer 14

It really depends on how you drive. If you abuse the car i.e. doing a wheelie, burnouts, doughnuts and so on, the clutch would not last for long.

Answer 15

80.000 miles ,must of not fitted it properly or it needs adjusting