Car breakdowns are simply a fact of life for many drivers, but understanding what causes them and what to look out for to help avoid breaking down on the road can help you avoid a sticky situation. From faulty or flat batteries to problems with the electrical system or cables, there are plenty of things that could cause you to break down and here, we’ve put together some of the most common to watch out for.

Faulty Or Flat Battery

The battery of your vehicle is like the heart – nothing will work without it. For that reason, a faulty or flat battery is one of the biggest causes of breakdowns around. A flat or worn-out battery could cause anything from the car not starting, to a struggle to turn the engine over, taking longer than usual to start, or the red battery warning light while you’re driving. The battery is a crucial part of your vehicle, so it’s important to ensure that you keep an eye on its health and keep it charged up by driving. If there is an issue starting to show, be sure to book in your car for an appointment with us so we can diagnose and fix the problem before you break down.

Damaged Tyres

Flat or blown tyres are some of the most common reasons why a car might break down while out on the road. Whether the quality of your tyres is already compromised or not, anything from a pothole, to debris on the road could cause your tyres to blow. Poorly maintained tyres are more likely to experience severe damage while driving, so make sure to keep checking your tyres regularly. This includes ensuring they have a tread depth of at least 1.6mm and that the tyre pressure is correct. You should also check regularly for any signs of uneven wear.

Alternator Problems

The Alternator on a car helps to charge the battery and ultimately generates power for the electrics in your car. If something goes wrong with this particular piece of equipment, it’s possible that the electrics won’t perform as they should and your battery will soon run flat. Signs that there’s something wrong with the alternator include dimmer headlights, slow wipers or flickering lights on the dashboard. This could also manifest in the ignition light coming on. If these happen, it’s important to get help as soon as possible.

Electrical Problems

Modern cars are chock full of electrical systems, from the stereo to full infotainment systems. They also control essential things like the headlights, which can be dangerous when not working properly. If you find that you’re having trouble with your electrics or they’re not working at all, this could be due to blown fuses, faulty wiring or general wear and tear. It’s important to get these checked as soon as possible.

Misfuelling

Whether you have a new car that uses a different fuel to your old one, or you’ve simply made a mistake, misfuelling a car can be a terrible mistake that can ruin your car and the engine. However, all is not lost – if you act quickly after putting the wrong fuel in, the solution could be as simple as pumping out the fuel tank and replacing it with the right stuff – you’ll need help for this. If you’ve started your car or driven any distance after misfuelling, things may not be as simple. If you’ve done this, it’s important to call a qualified mechanic to help not only recover your vehicle but flush the system and repair any damage caused.

Clutch Cables

For manual vehicles, the clutch is a crucial part of getting the car moving, which is why it’s also one of the biggest causes of breakdown. If there’s something wrong with the clutch or its cables, this can mean that your car struggles to get into or stay in gear, or a broken cable could stop you from being able to start the car entirely. If your clutch has felt different lately, it’s important to get this checked as soon as possible.

Diesel Particulate Filters

For diesel cars, the DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter) is another crucial part of the car that traps dirt and fine particles of soot and debris, ultimately burning them off and reducing harmful emissions. However, this filter can get blocked and will need clearing in order for the vehicle to run properly. Generally speaking, you should be able to clear the filter by giving the car a good run now and then or contact us for advice if the blockage is severe.

Starter Motor

Starter motors are an increasingly important part of driving, often running the stop/start features and getting your car going at the start of your journey. Failures with this system may mean you either can’t get going at all, or you find yourself stuck if the stop/start feature kicks into play while on the road. Regular servicing is the best way to maintain this system but get in touch if it seems to be playing up between checks.

Overheating

Overheating can be caused by a huge number of things, including hot weather while sitting in traffic, blocked or clogged pipes or limited coolant levels. You should make sure you keep an eye on the level of coolant in your vehicle at all times and ensure you’re keeping an eye on the coolant system to ensure it works. If the temperature of your car seems to be higher than normal or gets higher faster than usual, make sure you contact a mechanic as soon as possible.

For more information about breakdown causes and how to avoid them, get in touch with our team. Alternatively, book your car in for repairs, a health check and service if you’re unsure, today.