I noticed the beater bar on my year old Panasonic upright wasn't turning. Took a look at it and removed loads of hair tangling it up. Now it still doesn't turn. I've checked the drive belt and that's fine- looks like the problem is with the motor.

What are my options?

Joe, January 2010

does this machine have a lever on it towards the back to disengage the brush drive. yes/no ?

if no remove the beater brush check the end caps are FREE to rotate around the spindle, if not most likely full of hairs wrapped around the spindle ends.
clean the ends and apply a DROP OF OIL to each end cap reassemble, can you now turn the brush by hand ?

wirecutterman, January 2010