5 common causes of vehicle breakdowns

An estimated 7,000 vehicles break down every day in the UK. If you make up part of those stats, you might have experienced one of the five most common reasons vehicles don’t make it from A to B. Let’s find out.

Flat battery

According to the RAC, a flat battery is the main cause for breakdowns in the UK. It could be a result of old age, leaving lights on, faulty components and connectors, or issues with the computer that monitors the vehicle charging system.

To protect and extend the life of your battery, you should plan at least one long journey every fortnight and stay on top of your servicing schedule. If a technician detects an issue with your battery, they may be able to fix it before it gets worse.

Flat, bald or damaged tyres

It’s a classic which most of us vehicle owners have faced: dealing with a flat, bald or damaged tyre. What’s worse is most modern vehicles don’t carry a spare, so there’s a higher chance you’ll need roadside assistance.

To reduce the possibility of wasting time in a lay-by, it’s a good idea to regularly check your tyres for bulges, tread wear or general damage that could cause a blowout. Not only can it save you the hassle of a recovery service, but it could also save your life.

Diesel Particulate Filter

A Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) is an integral component of the exhaust system which traps and burns off soot and other harmful byproducts produced by diesel engines.

To perform the right way, vehicles fitted with a DPF need longer journeys at higher speeds to function the correct way. If you typically take short trips, you might find your DPF is clogged with trapped particles which could severely impact your vehicle’s performance.

Fuel contamination

Most of us have done it. You start filling your tank with unleaded only to realise mid-refuel you should be using diesel. If you find yourself in this situation, don’t be tempted to start the engine – you’ll only cause more damage. Call our team and we’ll be glad to help.

More complex reasons might include a clogged fuel filter, which means your engine can’t burn the fuel required to tick over. Without a technician on hand, it’s hard to tell whether a fuel filter is the cause. As a general rule, they should be replaced every 20,000 miles.

Electronic Control Unit (ECU)

Modern vehicles are fitted with an Electronic Control Unit (ECU) to monitor any issues with your vehicle. But ironically, sometimes the issue could be with the ECU itself detecting mechanical faults that don’t exist.

As you can imagine, an ECU is an expensive component to replace so it’s best to get it regularly serviced by a trained technician. They have the required diagnostic tools to put things right before they get worse.

Get in touch

If your vehicle breaks down, we’d be glad to help anyone within a 20-mile radius of Peacehaven. Add our telephone number to your contacts (01273 584987). You never know when you might need us.