Stuck with a car that’s broken down? There are many different reasons that your car might break down, and keeping these in mind could help you find the opportune approach to fix the issue. As such, today’s guide has outlined some of the seven most common causes of a broken-down car to help you find the right way forward.
The below 7 points can be among the most common causes of a broken-down car. Still, if you’re buying a new vehicle, the car could have a huge amount of unknown history. As such, always run a car history check before finishing the purchase, just to be sure there weren’t glaring faults or advisories during previous MOTs.
If your car’s broken down, being aware of the following common causes is vital.
- Battery running flat: No doubt, the battery pack plays an integral role in your vehicle, no matter the type of car you own. Thus, keeping an eye on the battery’s charge is crucial to prevent you from getting caught out.
- Alternator issues: If your battery’s new and working normally but just won’t stay charged, it could be your car’s alternator has broken. The alternator should charge up your car’s battery during use, so if this stops working, the battery may go flat very quickly.
- Faulty spark plugs: If your vehicle’s spark plugs aren’t working efficiently, it may prove difficult for your car’s engine to start. As such, replacing these regularly is important, a worn out spark plugs generally an easy fix.
- Wrong fuel type: It’s an easy mistake to make. If you accidentally put the wrong fuel in your car, this can lead to it breaking down – but luckily, roadside assistance should be able to sort this out.
- Low oil levels: When the levels of oil in your car get too low (or even run out), you’ll be at much higher risk of breaking down. Don’t worry, though; just get into a habit of using your dipstick to check the oil levels often.
- Damaged tyres: Did you know, damage to your vehicle’s tyres can do more than just leave you with a flat? This can have more severe consequences, such as overheating or bursting, depending on whether your tyre’s over or underinflated. Regularly checking your tyre pressure to ensure it stays within a safe range is very important.
- Faulty coolant system: Especially when the weather turns hot, a faulty coolant system (for example, due to a lack of coolant) could lead to the car overheating and leaving you stranded in the hot weather.
Final Thoughts
If your car has broken down, knowing about the likely causes can help you determine the most suitable approach to fixing things. However, as they say, prevention is always better than a cure, and so taking steps to stop your own vehicle from breaking down could keep the car on the road and running smoothly for longer. And, of course, always check for common issues when buying a new car; submitting a car history check before you finish may help.
