Breakdown Cover Articles

Car Breakdown Reasons

There are many reasons why cars break down which can range from the simplest of problems to the most complex technical issues. However, according to reports from car break down companies such as the AA and RAC there are common car breakdown problems which occur more often than any other. Luckily many of these breakdowns can be fixed at the roadside.

Listed below are the most common car breakdown problems and the reasons why these breakdowns happen and how they can be prevented.

Punctured tyre

The most common car breakdown reason is a punctured tyre. According to the RAC alone, last year they were called out to nearly 200,000 punctured tyres which included assistance needed to change the flat tyre or help in replacing damaged wheels. The most common cause of a punctured tyre is to general wear and tear although other factors can include under-inflated tyres in relation to the cars load.

To prevent the likelihood of experiencing a punctured tyre it is important to regularly check the tyre pressure and if it is below the recommended level then to inflate the tyre with the correct amount of air to reach the correct level. It is also important to check the tyres tread and ensure that the tread is still within the legal limit.

Flat (or dead) battery

A flat battery means that you are unable to start your car’s engine and it is usual that a flat battery is caused by driver error such as leaving the car lights on overnight. The best way to get your car moving again is if you or someone you know has a set of jump-leads that can be attached to your car and another to give your car a jump-start to get the engine running again.

There are of course other reasons for getting a flat battery such as loss of voltage which is caused by short journeys which means that you need to take your car on a longer journey at least once a week. Another reason may be due to loose or corroded connections and connections should be checked to ensure that no problems or corrosion has occurred. If there is a good layer of grease on the terminal and clamps this will reduce the risk of this happening.

Faulty starter motor

The starter motor powers your engine and if this breaks it will mean that you won’t be able to start your engine. The reasons why starter motors fail can be complex so you should get your car serviced regularly to ensure that any up-coming faults or issues can be spotted before a breakdown of the starter motor happens.

Alternator problems

The alternator plays a key role in ensuring that your car has mechanical power and is able to distribute this power to the car battery and other essential electrical components including the lights and windscreen wipers. If there is a problem with the alternator it will mean that the cars battery will not charge correctly and that there is not enough power to run the engine of the car.

Unfortunately, there isn’t anything we can do ourselves to resolve this issue but there are signs we can read to tell us that we may have an alternator problem such as a flickering battery warning light and dimmed headlights. If you spot any of these signs you are advised to get your alternator checked out at a garage.

Running out of fuel

It is surprising to learn that many of us run out of fuel each year and again this is down to driver error. It is therefore important to keep an eye on the fuel gauge to ensure that this doesn’t happen to you. Many modern cars will have a petrol warning light (and some come with a warning sound) that will make you aware that your car is running on empty and you are advised to fill up as soon as possible.

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