Breakdown Cover Articles

The Top 5 Reasons Your Car Might Break Down

There’s little worse than breaking down in your car. As well as the lost time and considerable inconvenience, it can also be costly to get your car back on the road.

However, it is possible to reduce the risk of the most common causes of breakdown. Our guide will help you avoid five of the most common reasons that drivers end up exasperated at the side of the road.

A flat or faulty battery

There are several reasons why you might find yourself with a flat battery. If you only use your car for short journeys then you may find that the battery never has time to sufficiently recharge. There may also be a component that is draining the battery or a fault with your car’s charging system or with the battery itself.

When you have your car serviced you can ask that your battery terminals are cleaned and protected against corrosion. If you rarely make long journeys in your car it may also be beneficial to charge the battery overnight once every few weeks.

Running out of fuel/putting the wrong fuel in the car

Have you ever put the wrong type of fuel in your car? The AA reports that over 100,000 motorists do so every year. To avoid putting diesel in your petrol tank (or vice versa) make sure you have a colour coded fuel cap or something else to remind you. If you don’t, your tank will have to be drained by a garage at significant expense.

And, always make sure that you fill up your car at the start of a journey as running out of fuel can be costly and inconvenient. Carrying additional fuel in an approved container is also recommended.

Tyre and wheel problems

There’s little more annoying or inconvenient than a flat tyre. To help reduce the risk of a flat tyre, make sure you regularly check your tyre pressure and adjust the pressure depending on the type of journey you are making and the load you’re carrying.

Make sure your tyres are checked regularly, including your spare as a worn or flat spare won’t be much use to you in the event of an emergency. And, make sure your locking wheel nuts are easily accessible.

Alternator faults

Faulty alternators can be difficult to spot. A sudden rise in engine temperature and a warning light on your dashboard could be an indicator, as could persistent low battery problems.

If you do think you may have an alternator problem, have it checked out straight away as failure to do so could damage your engine.

Distributor cap

Your distributor cap is a vital part of your ignition system. Damage to the cap can result in a lack of ignition spark, particularly in wet weather, meaning your car simply won’t start.

To avoid problems, make sure the distributor cap is replaced at regular intervals. Your car’s service schedule will tell you when it needs to be replaced.

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