Here is a trick to check your starter if you happen to die in the middle of nowhere.

You will need:

JUMPER CABLES

Steps:
1.) Remove the starter. It is easier to have it out of the car to do this.

2.) Connect Jumper cables to battery. You may need a friends battery, but if the starter is dead and you are in the middle of nowhere, calling one was inevitable.

3.) Hold the starter with your foot, or hold it tightly in your hands if your friend is there.

4.) Attach Negative cable to ground terminal, and TOUCH the positive to the other terminal. The starter will lurch, and you should see the gear shoot forward, if the opening is facing up.
My dad showed me this on my Nissan Truck when it wasn't cranking. We were in a little town called Oro Grande and the nearest auto parts store was quite a distance away. You can save gas with this, rather than drive all the way to Autozone and have them test it, then drive all the way back after finding out its not the starter that is the problem.
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Better way:

1. Tap it a few times with a hammer or crowbar
2. Now try to start your car
3. If it doesn't work, the starter is NOT the problem

Fixed
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