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Common Causes of Car Breakdowns and How to Avoid Them
Very few things ruin a journey quite like seeing a warning light appear, hearing a noise that definitely wasn’t there yesterday, or turning your key and getting absolutely nothing in return. Some breakdowns can happen without much warning, but many of the most common causes can be spotted early or avoided altogether with a few simple checks and regular maintenance.
Here are some of the most common reasons cars break down, the warning signs to look out for and what you can do to reduce your chances of ending up at the side of the road.
Battery problems are one of the most common causes of vehicle breakdowns, and they can affect petrol, diesel, hybrid and electric cars.
A battery can lose charge if a car is left unused for a long period, regularly makes very short journeys or has an ageing battery that is reaching the end of its useful life. Problems with the vehicle’s charging system can also leave you with a battery that isn’t receiving enough charge.
There are often warning signs. Your engine might take longer to start; the lights may appear dimmer than usual or you may notice a battery warning light on the dashboard.
How can you avoid it? Try to give your car a decent run regularly if most of your journeys are short, make sure lights and electrical equipment are switched off when you leave the vehicle and consider hang the battery checked if it begins struggling to start. Batteries don’t last forever, so an older battery showing signs of weakness is worth investigating before it decides to give up somewhere considerably less convenient than your driveway.
A nail in the road is never something you can plan for, but not every tyre-related breakdown comes completely out of the blue.
Incorrect tyre pressures, worn tread, damaged sidewalls and ageing tyres can all increase the likelihood of problems. Potholes and kerbs can also damage both the tyre and wheel sometimes without the damage being immediately obvious
How can you avoid it? The best thing you can do is to get into the habit of checking your tyre pressures, tread and general condition regularly, particularly before a long journey. Keep your eyes open for any cuts, cracks, bulges or unusual wear and don’t ignore your tyre pressure warning light.
It’s also worth knowing what your car actually has in the event of a puncture. Some vehicles have a spare wheel, while others use a temporary puncture repair kit instead. Finding that out on your driveway is considerably better than discovering it for the first time on the hard shoulder.
Sometimes your battery can get the blame when the car won’t start, but it may not be the battery going wrong, it’s the alternator.
The alternator helps charge the battery while the engine is running and supplies power to the vehicle’s electrical systems. If it begins to fail, you might notice dim or flickering lights, electrical equipment behaving strangely or the battery warning light appearing. Modern cars also contain a huge number of electrical systems, sensors and control units, meaning an electrical fault isn’t always easy to diagnose at home.
How can you avoid it? These kinds of things aren’t always preventable, but acting on the warning signs can stop a developing problem from catching you by surprise. Don’t ignore repeatedly appearing warning lights, flickering lights, difficulty starting or electrical equipment behaving unusually.
Regular servicing can also help identify issues with the battery, charging system and other electrical components before they develop into something more serious.
Your engine relies on the correct amount of oil and coolant to operate properly. Ignoring either can result in significantly more expensive problems further down the road.
Low or incorrect engine oil can cause damage to internal engine components, while problems with the cooling system can lead to overheating. If the temperature warning light appears or you see steam coming from beneath the bonnet, find somewhere safe to stop and switch the engine off.
Never remove the coolant cap while the engine is hot, as the cooling system can be pressurised.
How can you avoid it? Check your engine oil periodically and make sure the level sits within the recommended range for your vehicle. Your owner’s manual will tell you which oil specification your car requires
You should also check the coolant level when the engine is cold. If the level repeatedly drops, don’t keep topping it up, this could be an indication of a leak or another problem that will need investigating. Keeping up with your car’s servicing schedule will also ensure its oil and cooling systems are properly maintained.
Running out of fuel sounds like one of the easiest breakdowns to avoid, until the estimated range drops much faster than expected.
Putting the wrong fuel into your car can cause a much bigger problem. If you realise you’ve misfuelled before starting the engine, leave it switched off and arrange professional assistance. Starting or driving the vehicle can circulate the incorrect fuel through the system and potentially cause further damage.
How can you avoid it? Try not to rely entirely on your car’s remaining-range display and fill up before the tank becomes critically low, especially before setting off on a longer journey.
At the petrol station, take an extra second to check you’ve picked up the correct pump before filling the car. It sounds obvious, but it’s a considerably easier to mistake to make when you’re distracted, tired or driving a car you’re not familiar with.
Sometimes the battery is perfectly healthy but the engine still refuses to turn over. A worn or faulty starter motor could be responsible, particularly if you hear clicking when attempting to start the car.
Manual cars can also suffer clutch problems as components gradually wear. Difficulty changing gear, a clutch pedal that suddenly feels different or an engine that revs without the car accelerating as expected can all indicate a problem.
How can you avoid it? You can’t prevent every component from wearing out, but you can pay attention to changes in how your car feels. Strange noises, difficulty starting, unusual vibrations or controls suddenly behaving differently are rarely your car developing a new personality. They’re usually worth getting checked.
For manual cars, avoiding unnecessary clutch wear can also help. Don’t use the clutch pedal as a footrest or hold the car on the clutch when stationary, as both can contribute to additional wear over time.
Regular servicing is one of the simplest ways to reduce the risk of an unexpected breakdown.
A Service gives technicians an opportunity to inspect important components, check fluid levels and identify wear or developing faults before they leave you stranded. It won’t guarantee that your car will never break down, but staying on top of its recommended maintenance schedule can catch many problems much earlier.
There are a few simple things you can do between services too:
Most importantly, don’t wait for a small problem to become a big one. Cars are generally quite good at letting you know when something isn’t right, even if their chosen method is occasionally an ominous orange symbol you’ve never seen before.
Not every breakdown can be prevented, but good maintenance and a little attention can significantly reduce the chances of one catching you by surprise.
If your car is due a service, displaying a warning light or doesn’t feel quite right, getting it checked early could save you from a much more inconvenient problem later.
At TMS Motor Group, our aftersales teams provide servicing, MOT testing, diagnostics, tyres, repairs and general vehicle maintenance across our service centres in Leicester, Hinckley, Coventry and Loughborough. Keeping on top of routine maintenance means you can spend more time driving your car and considerably less time standing to it waiting for assistance.
