What is a clutch and how do I know if it's worn?

A clutch is the component in a manual car that connects and disconnects the engine from the gearbox, which is what lets you change gear or come to a stop without the engine stalling.

Signs of wear to look out for: the "biting point", where the pedal starts to engage the clutch, gradually moving higher up the pedal's travel; the clutch "slipping", where the engine revs rise without a matching increase in speed, especially noticeable accelerating hard or going uphill; and sometimes a burning smell.

Unlike a lot of car parts, clutch wear depends heavily on how a car's been driven rather than just its age or mileage - a car that's done a lot of stop-start town driving, or been driven by someone who rides the clutch, will typically wear one out faster than the same car used mostly for motorway miles.