Bendix ?!

Steve had a look, but when the bolt fell out, something had shredded inside. And (according to him) "our bendix wasn't engaging with the flywheel consistently". we tried bending the internal yoke back, but then the bendix wouldn't spring back and release the flywheel. Result: Alarming smoke, from friction on the fanbelt. Oops.

New starter motor from eBay  = £160

About the same as a refurbishment for the old one.
hopefully, "Brand New" will be more reliable.